Bordersfox

Small is a top player IMO. Certainly at this level, and very quick. Was really surprised nobody bigger than PNE went in for him. Ref was crap as well, allowed all sorts of shirt holding. That said Fatawu's delivery was abysmal, and he was back up to his old trick of shooting from way, way out. It's up to Cifuentes to sort that, like Enzo did.

I am going to this match with my charlton supporting in laws. I am already dreading it.

That's about what I'd do, maybe Nelson for Okoli or Faes just to get him regular game time. Bilal looked utterly disinterested so I think will either be gone or needs to be dropped. Which leaves... Ayew to play behind the striker. And he was utterly woeful. Not many options there. We simply have to reinforce midfield.

The transfer window is killing us. Lack of excitement around new signings (fans and dressing room) and half our players looking to escape. Horrible.

Cifuentes task is significantly harder than Enzo’s. I have certainly underestimated the size of his task. Whilst we had just been relegated when Enzo took over, until fairly recently we had a high performing side playing a particular style for a good manager. Whilst we let Rodgers hang around for too long for a while he clearly had a motivated set of players. We have always had a low net spend under KP, albeit a ridiculous wage bill, and it was clear Rodgers was right about needing a refresh. To an extent Maresca got that, bringing in some key new players. He also did an excellent job of galvanising the ones we had. Cifuentes is inheriting a team that's been relegated second time and after a truly dire season. A team that's much more disconnected from the fan base. That has had no identity under two atrocious managers and has been allowed to drift. A squad that seems hugely demotivated as a result with many wanting to leave. There are no signs of us getting players in, I think the impact of no fresh blood in the dressing room cannot be understated, particularly a dressing room in the dulldrums. For me I think getting 3 or 4 new faces in and using the younger players as much as possible is vital, just players that want to be here and want to play for Cifuentes. Try and build momentum and fan connection. The last couple of weeks of the transfer window are going to be huge. I hope, but have no confidence, that the club recognise this and give Cifuentes a fighting chance.

Okay Tarzan.

There isn't a single senior player I wouldn't sell if a reasonable offer came in. Get some bodies in that actually want to graft for Marti and be here. Pr1cks.

The only thing worse than our performance is this PNE commentary team.

His delivery has been astonishingly bad.

Yeah, fair. At this point I'd honestly rather have youth that give a shit than senior players who don't.

I thought Cifuentes likes a high press?

If he can't get this lot playing after a very decent first season with QPR we are royally fvcked.

So many of these players seemingly want to fvck off yet when given a chance to perform towards the end of a transfer window they look utterly abysmal.

Certainly not after today

Small, Charlton's best player last season before he moved. Tasty going forward as well.

Didn't check it properly saw the first bit and gave it a pass stamp. Shambolic.

Eh he reaches his hand out and and quite clearly and deliberately pushes the ball with his hand. You'll never see a clearer handball

Ffs I don't follow Percy and was blissfully unaware of this until your post.

Welcome two hours on the train. Good pod as usual. Thought Jordan was spot on about getting a balance between selling and retaining enough to go up or have a fighting chance of.

I have done much the same. I finally found one that worked for me Soak and Sleep, soft as down, medium soft. Swear by it, but obviously I think it all depends on how you sleep as to what pillow works best. As you get older this sh1t matters unfortunately!

Exactly, rubbish.

I assume he means madness that we support their protest but won't support our own.

Winks and JJ in last year of contracts aren't they I think? So fairly natural we are listening to offers. Bilal has a release clause so again not much we can do if triggered. I hope and pray we price anyone out of Fatawu. Agree though that it looks unlikely we will spend much.

Agree but with the caveat there needs to be some balance. We are financially far, far better off in the league above, as soon as possible. Striker and another central midfielder feel like minimum requirements, with good scouting they don't need to cost the earth. Then get a couple of loans in.

There is something endlessly endearing about your optimism sir.