The clearout continues

Following our failure to win promotion, the clearout has begun with the six fringe players already release and two more about to follow. 


Yassin Moutaouakil, one of the most promising players ever to don the red jersey has finally had enough of taking his £8,000 a week and has agreed to tear up his remaining contract for a £100,000 pay off. With clubs in his homeland ready to offer him a new deal, it's a good piece of business for both parties. 


I share Chicago Addick's viewpoint that Yassin would appear to have been treated very shabbily by our club but acknowledge the rumours that he was a disruptive influence and an anti-social so-and-so. The club are unlikely to dish the dirt but without some form of statement it's very hard on the face of the evidence from the stands not to see Moutaouakil's purchase as a complete waste of talent and opportunity by the club and it's management. 


The comments last week that there had been "no offers for Bailey" would appear to have done the trick. Norwich and Southampton are both now expressing an interest and there could yet be one or two bigger clubs pulled in to the bun-fight. We have to hope this leads to a price-war but with Charlton's financial predicament clear to all, they will know we have to let him go and that getting his wages off the weekly bill will be our prime aim. I reckon we will be lucky to get more than £1m for him. If he ends up at Southampton, what's the odds on the fixture list throwing us together in an end-of-season clash that could see him secure promotion with his new team?


Nicky Bailey has given everything for Charlton and I wish him well. He was my stand-out player of the season come Christmas but faded quickly after that (and rightly lost out to Christian Dailly in my mind). He looked a full yard short of pace for the last five months and he resorted to a desperate professionalism of feigning injury when tackled in a bid to get opponents booked or sent-off and it didn't reflect well on a man I thought had all the self-belief and talent he needed. His volleyed goal to put 3-2 up against Millwall was worthy of winning that game and it will live long in the memory.


I can't guess who will be next to be offloaded but I am sure there will likely be a good few more to leave before we bring anyone in. Saving wages during the close season will be critical in terms of managing the books.