Tuesday 5 July 2011

Investment deepens

Any lingering doubts I may have about the quality of the new squad are being eased by the quantity of the acquisitions and by the fact that we increasingly appear to be the envy of the division. Like you, I am praying we can convert this into results and confidence-building quickly amongst the new team. 


Beneath that, though, there were very encouraging words indeed from Chris Powell yesterday after young stopper Nicky Pope finally signed his contract and one-time Real Mallorca youth midfielder Ruben Bover Izquierdo joined the "development squad." Powell went out of his way to mention a host of other Charlton youngsters (Harriet, Warren, Popo, Mambo, Davison and Gough), a number of whom I assumed might be cut loose in order to trim costs and keep the size of the playing staff more manageable. Messrs Jimenez and Slater really do appear to have longevity in their plans which bodes well on the financial front. I have had a sneaking concern that the funding might suddenly dry-up without some quick wins and the slump that finished our season was worrying as far as that was concerned. Whoever is funding the rebuilding will presumably be prepared to await the development of the fruit and to invest further if there are encouraging early signs. 


Investment in younger players is also shrewd on the basis that if only one or two of them progress up the leagues, the costs of investment for a good number can expect to be recouped.


The pre-season friendlies should be a little more important than usual this year as players fight to establish themselves and forge partnerships around the pitch. I am really looking forward to my holiday in Cyprus but have the first pangs of regret that I am missing the opening league and league-cup matches.

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Go on, you know you want to....