Charlton Atheltic boss Dean Holden has admitted his side need reinforcements in the summer, but he’s not ruling out retaining members of his current squad.
As reported by London News Online, the former Bristol City boss is keen to add to his ranks this summer as he looks to push the Addicks up the table. They’re currently 12th in League One, but sit 15 points shy of the play-offs after struggling under Ben Garner. He was dismissed before the turn of the year, and the club’s fortunes have since improved, albeit slightly.
Now, Holden is keen to build on their recent momentum, which has seen them lose just one of their last six matches, but that doesn’t mean he’ll look to bomb any of his existing players out of the squad over the summer.
“Recruitment is a big part of improving – watching players, speaking to agents and getting all the information we need,” said Holden, who moved to the Valley in December following Garner’s dismissal. “We’ve got a list of targets but, at the same time, my eyes are open to the players in the building. I’ve not closed them to any player in this squad, not one, because there are still eight games left.”
According to transfer website transfermarkt, a host of Holden’s squad are out of contract this summer, including George Dobson, Ryan Innis, and Michael Hector. Others, such as Conor McGrandles, have struggled for game time and been loaned out, something which points to a major overhaul. However, those players seemingly still have a chance to impress Holden, who was once briefly Oldham Athletic’s manager.
“Although we are coming to the end of a season, not all the 38 games have been under me,” he added. “I’m not sure on some of them. I’ve not totally made my mind up on some positions. The fact is that we need to get this club towards the top six next season. It’s not been there for the last couple, so we need to evolve the squad.”
The Addicks finished seventh in their first season back in League One, but a 13th place last time out marked a decline, which appears to also be the case this season. It is now down to Holden to ensure that Charlton, with seven seasons of Premier League football behind them this century, begin to look up, rather than down.
Our View
Charlton are a big club in league One, but their form this season has not reflected that. From the outside looking in, Ben Garner was always a risky appointment, given his failings with Bristol Rovers, and some of his signings have contributed to the Addicks’ struggles.
Whilst Holden suggests there are players he’s yet to make his mind up on, I’d still expect a huge turnover in the summer. The likes of Eoghan O’Connell, Conor McGrandles, and Jack Payne have not been a success, and if the club are to progress, they’re likely to depart, along with many of the out-of-contract players, no matter what the boss says to keep spirits high right now.
