Steady the Buffs!

That historic Charlton curse of pre-season optimism is raising it's head again and it's time we all stood alert and remained focused. During my lifetime, at least, there is a tangible correlation between good pre-season and terrible starts as well as terrible pre-season and good starts. To be fair, I have still never wanted a bad pre-season..

Currently, I don't think anyone would say our pre-season has been anything other than good. Plenty of goals, unbeaten and a stirring performance in the Lions Den last night has got our tails up. One mate renewed his season ticket last night on the strength of a two-nil lead and another has lumped on automatic promotion in his excitement.

Those of you who know me, will expect caution and I give it here. Our tenth-placed squad from last year is slowly being updated as leaver gaps are being filled whilst we have seen some very encouraging step-ups from the U18's and U21's. 

I fear some are Googling new arrivals and celebrating far too prematurely. Some look solid upgrades whilst others we have really yet to see and we still have a number of gaps we have to fill and not accept long-term Academy covers. Those players should be brought in largely when safe to do so and ideally into a settled and winning side. Too often we have thrown them in at the deep end and watched them struggle.

Maynard-Brewer essentially saw off MacGillivray last year and Isted has replaced Wollacott. We will need a third choice keeper.

Tayo finally replaces Sessegnon and we have Thomas as cover, although another left-footed wing-back would be a sensible addition.

At centre-half we have Ness, Jones and Hector, albeit with doubts over Hector's long-term fitness. It looks increasingly like he struggles to do two games a week. We have Mitchell, Elerewe and Thomas who can cover but I have doubts about Elerewe and Thomas at this level if we need longer term cover.

Egbo's return from injury is welcomed and Nathan Asiimwe has burst onto the scene but he is an U18 and we have to have another experienced right-back.

Midfield is looking better with Camara and Taylor joining but perhaps a rejuvenated looking Scott Fraser will be the real win. We still don't have another strong defensive midfielder who can cover the Dobson role and need a right-side Rak-Sakyi replacement. Campbell can cover Blackett-Taylor and Karoy Anderson has shone in pre-season on the right but it would be foolish not to strengthen here. We also have Aaron Henry but to my mind he hasn't been nearly consistent enough when he has played to be considered a reliable first-teamer yet.

Upfront is crying out. Alfie may will add far more than Macauley Bonne but he needs a foil and Leaburn is out injured again. I have given up on Chuks Aneke ever returning even medium term and Daniel Kanu hasn't been able thus far to step-up.

In summary then, there is still lots to do. A third choice keeper, another left-sided wing-back, an experienced centre-back and right-back cover. A defensive midfielder, a strong right wing-back and two goalscorers. That's eight and I don't expect our "top six" wage budget will do it. We still have five (I think) loan spaces and am sure that's how we are most likely to fill these gaps but they are typically costlier, so maybe only four at most. We have to prioritise upfront. I think we have started short here since being promoted with Lee Bowyer.

I have left Kirk, Jaiyesimi and McGrandles out because they have all auditioned for parts several and times and failed. They won't play any significant part in a promotion campaign and need to find clubs more suited to them.

Charlie Methven has made it clear that his 'experienced management team' will make the difference to the fabled top six budget. We all hope so but newly re-appointed Andy Scott will have to do much better than his January recruitment which was Michael Hector and four duffers.