Tuesday 12 May 2015

15 released, no surprises

As anticipated, Charlton Athletic parted company with 15 players today, calling time on six first-team squad players and ending the Valiant hopes of 9 others.

The announcement confirmed what we already knew about Simon Church and Tal Ben Haim. Simon Church was never the real deal but you could never fault his effort and I wish him all the best. He probably leaves with a bitter taste in his mouth after the disrespect shown to him by some home fans which wasn't deserved. Ben Haim had something more about him, almost in the Jorge Costa mould, but he had a tendency to make last-ditch tackles which cost us points although he also saved plenty. I also think he got away with at least three sending off's during the season which could have marred his copybook.

Lawrie Wilson won't be returning and neither will Oguchi Onyewu. Lawrie went off the boil this season and I think he gave up on his career with us. Wilson was a better player than I think he ever got credit for although he lacked a little professionalism in his last few performances for us which was disappointing. That stupid song about him can't have helped. We didn't really get much of an opportunity to properly judge Oguchi but I remember thinking he might be good enough.

'Relegation' Roger will be relieved he can add another survival season to his CV and he did a job when he came in although there was a notable dip in consistency towards the end. Of the first teamers, Chris Eagles is the only possible surprise and whilst he acquitted himself well enough, he probably isn't good value-for-money and we need to look elsewhere.

Other than those, Jack Mundell, Harry Osborne, Harry Gerard, Neil Etheridge, Rhys Browne, Kadell Daniel, Levander Pyke, Kieran Monlouis and Kurtis Cumberbatch will all try to follow in the footsteps of many before them, like Harry Arter, and prove us wrong.

Finally, sad to hear the death of yet another old time hero, John Hewie. Hewie played 530 times in the mighty red and is our most capped international player having turned out 19 times for his parents' homeland, Scotland. One of his Royal Blue, Lion-adorned shirts is on display in the Charlton Museum. God bless you John.

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