So, two friendly games down, (even though the Charlton website seems to have conveniently ignored Bromley), and what do we know? I have never gone with the theory that friendlies are unimportant. For me, the confidence factor that a good pre-season can bring should not be under estimated, so it was good to see that a solid performance was put in against Welling, even though the previous night's performance against Bromley was apparently less convincing. Good reports for some of the squad, Fleetwood in particular, are always pleasing, but a consistent thread about both performances revolving around the word "lightweight" are of slight concern, but hey-ho early days.
Where are they now?
Magic not being present was I think inevitable, given that the last thing any club would want to do, would be to put a potential £2.3m at risk, so fair do's, but what of Todorov, Gray, and Iwelumo? Toddy recovering from injury still, will get a run out soon hopefully, but I wasn't aware that the other two were also injured. I still have a feeling that Iwelumo is possibly being protected pending a sale. Bent will hopefully go to Cardiff, but what of Amady Faye? Could it be that despite the best efforts of the club, he may end up with us for the start of the season, and if he does, will Alan Pardew play him? If the club do manage to sell him for anything, then fair play, but I suspect the best we will get is another season long loan.
The Future
It's here. I don't know whether to be excited or worried, probably both. The financial restraints at the club, are becoming ever more apparent, and nowhere more so than on the pitch. Whilst our U18 side of last term was no doubt special, I don't believe it was special enough to see so many youngsters coming through simultaneously. Maybe I had too many years of Curbishley caution, but our reliance on so many of these youngsters in the coming season, would be a concern for me, particularly if the fragility in confidence shown by the side last term, rears its head again.
Ebbsfleet on Saturday, sees another step up, and hopefully the result this year, will be somewhat better than the 5-1 drubbing of last season!
Pardew stated in an interview on the website prior to the game that both Iwelumo and Gray were carrying injuries so would not play but were training
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