Fans should stay cautious, but new-look squad clearly has the potential for a promotion push

The 6th of August – the date every football fan across the country looks forward to. The football league has returned! But while most fans were counting down the days to the beginning of the season, Charlton supporters spent our time counting down the hours till our next signing. 

Sixteen new signings so far and perhaps more to come. There has been little time to breathe. But while new signings may be exciting, we have see the same journey so many clubs with new owners take - Man City being the most obvious. The conclusion is the same for all of us: an influx of new players may not necessarily produce instant results. So while optimistic, Charlton fans are wary: a team who’s first XI may contain just two players from last years season – Jackson and Wright-Phillips - may take it’s time to gel and find their full potential.

The mixed results that revamped squads produce has led to many differing opinions on Charlton’s hopes: ‘FourFourTwo’ predicted a relegation battle with the Charlton finishing a lowly 18th, the Guardian described us as ’play-off hopefuls’ while the Times backed us for automatic promotion. However, after three wins and a draw and the recent win against Championship Reading, Charlton are sitting pretty near the top of the table I’d say the attitude on the terraces should be one of quiet, if wary, confidence.

Like so many so-called big clubs, the Addicks have struggled to get of League One. After starting well here back in 2009, Charlton’s experiences have been of few highs and seemingly endless lows. By Christmas in 2009 Charlton were second in League One, and while we dropped to 4th by May, most Charlton fans felt our performance in the play-offs against Swindon was to blame for the failure to gain promotion, rather than the team’s general form during the season. Last season, despite another positive start in terms of results, Charlton soon found themselves unable to win a game after Christmas, culminating in us dropping from automatic promotion to the mid-table mediocrity of 13th in the last 3 months of the season.

Non-existent pace from the centre backs forced a midfield, not know for its attacking flair, even further back, opening an every increasing gap between behind the attacking line.  The real problem for Charlton last season was a lack of quality on the ball, both at the back and in midfield. While this worked under Parkinson, content to play the long-ball game, it perhaps was a key factor in Powell’s demise last season. However this is something Chris Powell has looked to correct this summer going for attacking youth, such as Dale Stephens and Danny Hollands, over the experienced industry of Semedo or Daily. 

Indeed sixteen signings is somewhat of an overhaul, yet there is no denying it was needed. Perhaps one of the most famous books on football – The Damned United by David Peace – tells the story of the charismatic Brian Clough’s failure to transform the Leeds team of 1974, from their over-physical route-one football, into the ‘free flowing’ play that his own teams were famous for. Without wanting to liken the Charlton 2010 squad to the title-winning Leeds team of 1974 [let alone Brian Clough to Chris Powell] the comparison is instructive. 

When Powell took charge in January he was trying to play passing football with players that were quite clearly not capable of doing so. Yet – perhaps a sign of the times - what Chris Powell was able to do that Clough probably couldn’t was to introduce 16 new players to the squad. It became clear at the back end of last season if Powell was to create a team capable of playing the attacking style promised, something of an overhaul was needed. Last season we struggled with a lack of pace at the back. 

With a combined age of 68, Gary Docherty and Christian Daily, whilst very experienced, failed to stamp their authority at the back. At the same time Jose Semedo and Thierry Racon, failed to provide the defensive cover needed or create a link between themselves and the attack. Charlton now have a no-nonsense pairing of Taylor and Morrison at the back, Dale Stephens and Danny Hollands in the middle providing both balance and flair, and Paul Hayes providing the perfect middle-man between the new midfielders and Bradley Wright-Phillips. With this solid structure through the middle, the signing of Danny Green and the return of Captain Johnny Jackson provides the width with a team the Charlton fans will hope can strike a good balance between both attacking and defensive abilities.

So can Chris Powell cut it in the dugout?

The former Addicks full-back's tenure as the manager began in January 2010 with four wins. Third at the time, Charlton were looking at automatic promotion with play-offs just a plan B.  Skip ahead four months and Powell’s attempts at ‘free flowing’ football had produced 2 more wins out of 19 fixtures. This summer, though, few supports were calling for his head and the they were treated to a rare break from the managerial merry-go-round as Powell received both financial and personal backing from the owners. Though the media jury may still be out, there will be few managers in the football league that receive more backing from the fans. 

Further, while Charlton fans already allow Powell unwavering support due to his legendary status at the club, the  start of the season has given them even more reason to back him. Results, yes, but, perhaps just as important,  the best brand of football we have seen at the Valley since the Premier League years. Chris Powell has taken his time, but early signs suggest that all might be coming together at the Valley this season. After recent times at Floyd Road, however, optimism should always be closely followed by caution.