Michael Appleton: Transfer windows need to be a million times better than recent ones for Charlton to be promotion contenders

Michael Appleton says that Charlton Athletic’s transfer window business needs to be “a million times better” if they are to become strong League One promotion candidates.

The Addicks boss has mentioned on more than one occasion in recent weeks the importance of the January trading period for the South Londoners, who need to cut the gap to the top six.

Charlton are 10th in the table after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Cambridge City.

And their prospects are not being helped by a lack of fit and available frontmen with Miles Leaburn not expected back this season while Chuks Aneke will also be sidelined until into the new year.

Alfie May scored his 19th goal of the season as he opened the scoring against the U’s.

And when asked about how big a factor the former Cheltenham Town forward would be in any promotion push, Appleton chose to once again discuss the window.

“He’s going to be massively important,” said head coach Appleton. “But probably in fairness to all the players who are either fit or not available for me at the minute, it would be stupid of me and daft of me not to say that if we’re going to have any chance of getting out of this league – whether it is this season, next season or the season after – the transfer windows are massive.

“And let’s face it, they have to be a million times better than they have been the last couple of windows.

“Hard to say (how many players they need to sign) but it certainly won’t be one or two – put it that way.

“There will be more than a handful, or I’d expect more than a handful to come through the door.

“Listen, at the end of the day if we want to compete at the top end of this league this has to happen. If not then we will be where we have been for the past two or three seasons and just be a mid-table team – I don’t want that. I’ve not come here to do that. And I’m sure everyone else is in the same boat.

“January hopefully will be an exciting time for Charlton fans.

“We’ve identified numerous amount of players we think could help us beyond the first of January. Off the pitch and behind the scenes it is up to myself, Andy and all the recruitment lads to make sure that we’re on top of that, pushing that and being as aggressive as we possibly can.

“What I also don’t want to do is be sort of disrespectful to the lads I’ve got to work with over the next five or six games because ultimately they are the ones that are going to hopefully try and make sure we’re in a position to try and kick on.

“At the minute they have got the shirts and there is a lot to be said for telling a player they have got the shirt until someone is prepared to take it off him.

“There are one or two players who have come into the team and done well. It’s up to them to keep hold of their shirt.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS