Confirmation this evening that Deon Burton has joined Gabala in Azerbaijan as part of Tony Adam's new side. Not really sure what to make of this other than the terms on offer at Charlton for Deon must have been pretty poor to drive him to the back-end of nowhere. Adam's himself is scraping the managerial barrel and the only attraction in Azerbaijan can be financial. It's worth saying that Deon Burton surprised me during his time with us. He was a better player than I had ever given him credit for although much of disappointment at the time of his signing was probably because his acquisition was a sign, at the time, of how the mighty had fallen. Seventeen goals from 51 appearances is hardly going to get the pulse racing but his contribution was much than scoring and he always gave it everything he had.
Finances would also appear to be Grant Basey's motivation for trialling at Aberdeen. Apparently he's not enamoured with the offer at the Valley. I have some news for Grant - Aberdeen is not the club for you if you are looking for materially more than £800 per week, although the promise of first team football could be the attraction. Personally, I think Grant is a better player than most other Charlton fans appear to and I'd be quite happy with him at first-choice left-back in the continuing absence of Kelly Youga.
Phil Parkinson has sniffed at trialist Etienne Esajas after re-signing Kyel Reid. Esajas played no part in the flattering 4-0 win at Kettering although Reid did get on for the last 20 minutes. It was good to see Akpo netting his second in successive games and Gullem Bauza getting on the score-sheet as he continues to impress.
We need another three players this week if we are to have any chance of being ready in 19 days time. I will assume Guillem Bauza has a good chance of joining our midfield but we need those two strikers as well as right-back and goal-keeping cover. I suspect we may well operate on a shorter-than-expected squad this year and look to rely upon loan signings as and when needed to help with injuries.
Come on Parky, put us out of our misery!
I'd like Basey to stay as well Dave, but I suspect that with Jackson in pole for the left back position, and Reid for left mid, he faces another season on the bench. May be he knows something about a Youga return, which effectively puts him down into fourth.
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