Ben Garner reacts to late disappointment in transfer window and Charlton Athletic’s free agent deal search

Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner says that he is not disheartened after a deadline day move for Macauley Bonne collapsed.

The QPR striker was set for a return to SE7 on loan.

But Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaard issued a statement shortly after the 11pm cut-off confirming a deal had fallen through at the death – although he did not name the player or club involved.

Garner – when asked by the South London Press about why the Bonne deal did not happen – said: “I wouldn’t want to go into individuals and the ins and outs of it. All I will say is that it was nothing on our part that we could do as a football club. It didn’t break down our end.

“Conscious-clear, if you like, that we did everything we possibly could. It just didn’t happen.”

The Charlton manager had talked about wanting to make more signings before the end of the window and the window closed without a frontman or centre-back arriving.

But Garner said that his mood was fine despite late disappointment.

“To be honest I always look forwards pretty quickly,” said the Charlton boss. “From my perspective, certain things are out of my hands. You can get really downbeat or really high about things, I try and stay pretty consistent. Straight away my focus, once the window closed, was on training this morning and getting preparations right for the game.

“We worked hard throughout the window and we’ve done a lot of good business. We just wanted one or two more but unfortunately we couldn’t get them over the line yesterday. But we move forwards.”

The question is whether Charlton are able to find free agents who can sign outside the window.

Will they be in the right condition to make an almost instant impact though?

“It depends on the individual and whether they have really looked after themselves and possibly been training already – then it can be effective,” said Garner. “If you’ve got someone who has been sat around on their hands for six weeks then probably not so much.

“We’re looking at it, we have done already, and if we feel there is someone there who can add to the group then we’ll look to move forwards. If not then we’ll go with what we’ve got.

“It’s a great group with really good team spirit and they are playing well. Wednesday night shows we’ve got some good talent in the academy working underneath. They need to try and fight to get in the team as well, to give us more options.”

Garner also confirmed that an unattached centre-back signing could also be a possibility.

He added that using Sean Clare in that role would only be “a real last resort”.

“I don’t see Sean playing in a back four as a centre-back,” said Garner. “He’s been fantastic at right-back, he’s really adapted well and he’s got even more potential to develop.

“I’d be really comfortable with Sean playing in midfield, higher up the pitch. I don’t envisage him playing centre-back in a back four – a back three? No problem. Back four would take away from his strengths and attributes.

“That’s something we’re still looking at in that position. And the two lads in the academy did really well there for us in midweek. It’s an ongoing one.”

Diallang Jaiyesimi had been set to move to Mansfield on loan but that switch did not get completed.

Asked if the incoming business not happening was a factor in the attacker’s non-movement, Garner replied: “Listen, DJ is an important part of the squad here.

“I had a good chat with DJ yesterday in terms of a couple of changes we want to make with him moving forwards because I feel he has got wonderful talent and ability. Together, the staff, I and DJ, need to work to get the best out of him and make the most of his potential. I see a lot more to come from him and he can be a really effective player for us this season.”

The question is whether Charlton are well enough equipped to mount a push for League One’s top six.

“I think it is, with a lot of work and a lot of time on the training ground. All of us are going to have to really work and develop as much as we can,” said Garner. “If we can get some momentum going and a good run of results – there is enough talent and quality in this group to do that.

“The key is going to be minimising injuries – keeping players fit – because we’re not blessed with a huge squad and depth. Hopefully we can get players coming back in. If we can do that then I think we can do well. We’ve signed Conor McGrandles, who has been one of the best midfielders in League One for the past couple of seasons, and he’s picked up a concussion and a fractured hand – he’s had a stop-start beginning. Getting him back and up to speed will be like a new signing. Getting Chuks Aneke back and playing will be like a new signing.

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS