Nigel Adkins: Time will tell if Charlton can do any further business before season starts next weekend

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Nigel Adkins says time will tell if Charlton will be able to bring any further new signings into the club before the League One season kicks off next Saturday.

The Addicks ended their pre-season campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Championship side Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon, with all eyes now on the early-evening clash with Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.

Manager Adkins has already been able to add a number of bodies to his side during the summer but admits there’s still work to do ahead of a campaign where fans will expect a promotion push following Thomas Sandgaard’s takeover of the club earlier this year.

When asked if he was hopeful of concluding any deals this week, Adkins replied: “Time will tell. There’s obviously players that we’ve been tracking. We’ve had bids in for players as well. We’ll just have to see how they come to fruition. That’s the important thing. We’ll see what happens.

“What we have got is a spirit amongst the players that we’ve got where everyone is working so, so hard for each other. What we’re trying to do is help them with a few more additions to the squad which is important.

“The season starts on Saturday, the transfer window is still going to be open for a few weeks after that. Our intention is to bring a few more players in, I think that’s fair for everybody to see. What a great opportunity the younger players have had and have taken.

“Every football club have had to deal with it in their own way. Likewise, across the world in many shapes and forms, and especially in football, finances are important, how that’s all put together. All clubs have got budgets that they’ve got to work towards and within and people need to realise that.

“As we got closer to the season and maybe players aren’t fixed up with clubs or players aren’t featuring in teams, or clubs are prepared to lower their valuation for players with the transfer fees for example, there might be a bit more change with clubs and personnel.

“I’ve said it from the outset, I would have loved to have had the team we’re going to have throughout the course of the season from the first day of pre-season. That’s clear. That’s obvious what I’ve wanted. But we are where we are. What we’ve got is a spirit amongst the players and we’re working on things. Things aren’t going to happen overnight.

“There were nice comments after Tuesday against Crystal Palace where people can see a good identity from us in and out of possession of the football. There’s a long way to go. It’s a work in progress. It’s the big picture that we’re looking at and everyone working together.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS