Londonnewsonline.co.uk have Ben Garner this evening confirming that Charlton Athletic will not be making any free agent striker signing. Having picked up unattached centre-half Tyrrel Thomas last week, Garner today said that "there is no-one who springs to mind in the free agents" as far as a striker is concerned.
Personally, I didn't want to see another striker with a poor CV join us. After the likes of Joe Dodoo, Josh Parker and Omar Bogle, we really haven't the time or space hoping we can get something from strikers with a track record of not scoring goals.
Garner added that "Academy players need to be pushing to give us greater competition in the squad," so it looks like Daniel Kanu and Myles Leaburn will get their chances this season. Leaburn has two league goals so far and is one behind top scorer Scott Fraser. Garner has spoken about the need to get more goals from midfield before and he said as much again today, although I think to expect significantly more from midfield than last season is akin to expecting the same from the strikers from whom we have lost 11-goal Conor Washington. Stockers has come in for a lot of stick lately but his aerial strengths don't play to a fast, slick passing game that Garner is looking for, so he has my sympathies. Garner has suggested that our injury situation is improving but declined to say who. Perhaps Chuks Aneke is ready for another cameo after 11 games out injured but is more like Stockley than a Gary Lineker.
It really does beg the question why we have failed to bring in any strikers who can play to Garner's system, especially when we sold the only one who might have excelled at it. There really is a danger if we can't find the goals we need playing 'Garnerball' that he will have to try to accommodate his two big men with a more traditional attacking style. Oh the irony if that comes to pass!
Tomorrow night's game with Forest Green Rovers will go ahead following the cancellation of the weekend fixtures as a reaction to the death of the Queen. I expect us to win against a side who need to punch above their weight in League One although it could be another slog. They are down in 21st place with seven points and have been beaten by Ipswich, Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury. They have shipped 15 goals so far, so look like a softer target for us in terms of goals. A quick look at their squad doesn't give me too many clues but I note Conor Wickham upfront - another striker in the mold of Dodoo, Parker and Bogle - someone who can boast only 12 goals in seven years.
Hopefully the gate may be a bit larger and more vocal after Saturday's cancellation, although I fear the actual number present will be less than the number of season ticket holders we have given the continuing disincentive of matchday pricing. With everyone screaming at the madness of the current pricing policy, the club last week announced a three-game deal for the season which knocks about £3 off a ticket. I don't know if it's those advising Thomas Sandgaard who just don't get it or whether it's him holding out for Championship prices in League One, but I know it won't improve until someone sees the light.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Go on, you know you want to....