Disappointing season behind Addicks
Express return to Premier League failed and now there is another highly uncertain season in front of Addicks. Manager Alan Pardew failed to incorporate the winning mentality into the London team from Valley turf, so, even though they spent half of the season competing for the top seat, they soared down in the finish ending up outside the play-off zone, at the disappointing 11th place. 11 years with Alan Curbishley are obviously not forgotten, and in this transitional period Premier League is only a dream.
Sale
Financial problems at Valley triggered a real sale of the best players: Chris Iwelumo (Wolves) and Marcus Bent (Birmingham) are gone, as well as strong defender Paddy McCarthy (Crystal Palace). As the potential replacement for him, Mark Hudson was brought from Palace. Madjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers), Ben Thatcher (Ipswich) also left, while the excellent Zheng Zhi is on his way to WBA, and the midfielder, Amdy Faye, is wrapping up the deal with Stoke City these days. Excellent attacker, Hameur Bouazza, who had excellent campaign in Watford, arrived on loan from Fulham.
In
Mark Hudson (Crystal Palace), Hameur Bouazza (Fulham, loan), Stuart Fleetwood (Forest Green Rovers)
Out
James Walker (Southend United), Patrick McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Osei Sankofa (Southend United), Chris Iwelumo (Wolves), Darren Randolph (Hereford United), Marcus Bent (Birmingham City), Ben Thatcher (probably Ipswich), Amdy Faye (Stoke City).
Dried ambitions
We feel a bit sorry to say that the club, seventh in Premier League a couple of years ago, will spend this year probably sitting in the bottom part of the standings. But thing are the way they are, Charlton are without chances for top 6. They will want to end this season the best they can, attempting also to deal with their financial problems. Without bigger ambitions, they probably won’t be jeopardized with relegation worries. League is quite big enough to hold several teams in the golden middle and Charlton are one of them.
Our tip: Mid-table standings
Odds
Bookmaker: Bet365
PROM
PL-OFF
RELEG
