Charlton Athletic boss targets adding experience in January transfer window
Michael Appleton wants to add experience to his Charlton Athletic squad in next month’s January transfer window – the head coach feeling a lack of game management was in factor in today’s 1-1 draw against struggling Burton Albion.
Lloyd Jones’ first goal for the Addicks since signing from Cambridge United in the summer looked set to decide the League One contest until Ryan Sweeney scored in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
Charlton are unbeaten in seven league matches but have drawn five of those. Only Lincoln have shared the points as many times in the division.
Asked about looking to add defensive nous to his squad, Appleton said: “It’s not necessarily defensive nous – it’s just experience . What experienced players do is they bring an understanding of situations in games.
“We’ve got a corner with 88, 89 or 90 minutes on the clock and we’re still putting the ball into the box as if it is almost an embarrassment to play it short and take 60 seconds off the clock.
“The teams that win on a regular basis and the teams that are successful do those type of things on a regular basis and they make sure they win those games 1-0. We’re just not there at that point or at that stage.
“It comes down unfortunately to a lack of experience. We need to bring in one or two that are comfortable doing it. It doesn’t have to be experienced defenders – it is about experience all over the pitch. Whether you have got a number 10, a number eight or a number six in the middle of the park – the reality is whether they are very much attack-minded they have got an awareness and can manage the game and those moments better than maybe one of the young players would do.
“We don’t look like conceding goals – we just are conceding goals at poor moments at the minute. Ash isn’t having to make save after save after save. We’re not having stuff cleared off the line.
“It’s making sure that one or two opportunities the opposition get, we nullify that.”
PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
