Look for cheap flights to Malaga

Some of the Addickted were disappointed that Charlton's two friendlies in Spain were going to be behind closed doors, although one can understand why managers want to try out new players and combinations without hearing bellowed remarks from fans. I must say that I am also a bit sceptical about how much pre-season games really tell us. Scoring against Welling is not of itself sufficient to convince me that Varney and Dickson are the finished article.

Anyway, for those who enjoy pre-season games, particularly abroad (and they can be fun), the Addickted have been given a new opportunity according to the club's E mail bulletin.

Charlton depart next Wednesday for a week-long training camp in Spain - and Addicks fans now have the opportunity to watch one of the two matches that have been arranged by manager Alan Pardew.

Although the first friendly against Malaga on Saturday, July 21st will be behind closed doors at the training ground of the Spanish club, the second fixture against Marbella will now be open to the public. The game has been scheduled to kick off at 9pm on Tuesday, July 24th, and although ticket prices have yet to be fixed, they are only expected to cost a few Euros. The address of Estadio Municipal is Avenida Ricardo Lucena Sola, 29600 Marbella.

Pards said: 'The idea behind the trip to Spain is that it will enable us to spend more time together and more time on the training ground. We'll be able to walk out of the hotel and straight on to the training ground and that time together will allow us to create the bond and spirit that we'll need for the coming season.'

New site

With the pre-season over, I am shifting posts to the new site: Championship Diary . I will copy posts here for a week or so.

Hopefully, Championship Diary will only last for one year and this blog can then be revived!

Jody Morris main talking point

I wasn't either at Welling or Tooting and Mitcham last night, and I don't have as strong a geographical excuse as the Chicago Addick, but a short summary report is here: Welling

The main talking point among the Addickted seems to be Jody Morris, not so much in terms of the footballing skills of the former Spanner, but his bad boy image. He does seem to have a bit of previous, to put it mildly: Record

Perhaps Charlton with its 'family' image can help him to turn over a new leaf. However, it is a worrying history and I am far from convinced that he is an outstanding acquisition from a football point of view.

Pards plans two more signings

As the Addickted get ready to make the choice between going to the Crown Berger Cup clash at Welling tonight or seeing Nicky Weaver make his debut for the Addicks at Tooting and Mitcham, Alan Pardew has said that he plans to make two more signings to complete the squad that will challenge for promotion:
Pards

Romm on his way at last?

Dennis Rommedahl may be on his way to Spain according to Sky Sports News:
Romm

For me he has been one of the most disappointing players in a Charlton shirt in recent years.

New Windmill Ground aerial views

Some great views of Leamington's New Windmill Ground from the air:
Brakes

Chris Powell interviews

Chris Powell has been doing some interviews on the role of black players in football with Alan Pardew forecasting he will be a manager one day:
Standard
Telegraph

Perhaps one day he will have a managerial role at Charlton?

Charlton may land Sinclair

Charlton are winning the race to land Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair on a season-long loan, much to the disappointment of Plymouth. The Addicks are on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Blues despite interest from a number of Championship rivals, including Plymouth who had him on loan last season. Being able to live in London might be a factor for the youngster.

Sinclair broke a foot at the end of last season on his return from Plymouth which hit his chances of returning to Chelsea's first team. He seems to be rated by Chelsea fans.

Aston Villa are reported to have renewed their interest in Luke Young which seems credible to me. I would give much less credence to reports that Jason Euell may return to The Valley from Boro.

Deano mystery

Always on the trail of a mystery, Inspector Sands has revealed that Deano was attacked and knocked out with a bottle by a so-called Wolves supporter at a pub in Warwick.

What Inspector Sands does not explain is why Deano was drinking at Hobson's Choice on Spinney Hill, not the most salubrious location in Warwick. Why was he not round the corner from where his dad lives at the Simple Simon? I know that he has drank there in the past, as I live not so far away.

Jerome Thomas rumour

The Daily Mirror is claiming that Manchester City are prepared to offer £1m for Jerome Thomas.

My view is that Thomas has never realised his full potential, has been inconsistent, somewhat sulky in manner and inclined to showboat. Having said that, at times he shows real talent and skill. Perhaps Sven and the Massives can develop it. I am not sure whether he would deliver a lot for us in the Championship.

Latest rumours

Middlesbrough are said to be interested in signing Luke Young, while rumours suggest that Diawara might go to Birmingham on a year's loan.

Sources close to the club are saying that there is little substance in the Mullins story, but it still seems plausible to me given (a) that the midfield badly needs strengthening, (b) Curbs doesn't rate Mullins, (c) Pardew does.

Mullins in for £1 million

West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins is set to join former boss Alan Pardew at Charlton, according to reports. The 28-year-old midfielder - who was Pardew's first signing at West Ham - is poised to complete a £1m move to the Valley after being told he has no future with the Hampsters.

The former Palace player is understood to have rejected the opportunity to stay in the Premiership with Reading, his home town club, in order to join up with Pardew once again.

The signing brings a much needed strengthening of the midfield and probably completes the restructuring of the team as it prepares for the Coca Cola Championship, although Luke Young could still go

Do they know something we don't?

I know it's been swap shop as far as staff are concerned between Charlton and West Ham recently, but this statement that appeared on Clubcall today was a surprise to me:

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is looking to replace star striker Carlos Tevez who is close to a switch to Manchester United

The legend returns

In response to a request for some Brakes news, Richard Adams is back at The New Windmill after spells at Redditch United and Solihull Borough. He thus joins his brother Jon, who has not left the club for a higher level as many feared.

Richard is the only Leamington player to have scored against Football League opposition since the club re-founded, having provided the single goal against Colchester in the FA Cup defeat.

Work commitments have prevented him making training tonight, but he should be there on Saturday.

Once again we can confidently predict that we will be the only Charlton blog covering Leamington's away fixture against Southam United in the Friendship Cup on 17 July.

Strange to think that a player I watched at the New Windmill Ground not so long ago, Luke Varney, will be in a Charlton shirt this season.

Marcus Bent shock

Marcus Bent is reportedly interested in a move to Watford from Charlton, having apparently become disillusioned with Alan Pardew's management style. He is also uncertain where he is in the pecking order at The Valley with a number of strikers being brought in.

Small knots of grim faced fans gathered in a wet Harvey Gardens as the news spread and routine arrangements to provide counselling to fans when a valued player departs were put in place.

I do not think that Marcus Bent is lacking in talent, particularly at Championship level. Where he seems to fall down is a lack of commitment, both in games and to any one club.

So, in a matter of weeks we could go from double Bent to no Bent at all.

Weaver, Weaver, what's the score?

The Addickted will have to get used to chanting the name of Nicky Weaver next season after the City goalkeeper signed for Charlton on a free transfer.

Weaver is one of the most controversial keepers to play against Charlton in recent years, having made his views known to the Covered End at one home game. I also have vivid memories of the Addicks putting four past him at Maine Road, although Claus Jensen had to subsequently apologise for the goal from distance which caught Weaver off his line.

The 28-year old now has much more experience and featured frequently for City last season. I would imagine that he would be chosen ahead of Randolph, but it was always likely that a more experienced keeper would be brought in.

Whatever his history, he's a Charlton player now. One argument put forward by an knowledgeable Addick is that signing for the Addicks shows his grit and determination. The Covered End may not be that tolerant of any lapses, though.

It seems that we may still be in with a chance of signing Freddy Eastwood with the Shrimpers declaring that it is a two horse race with Wolves after Charlton restructured their offer on Wednesday afternoon.

Todorov has attracted criticism in some quarters as a crock, but if he can get on top of his injury problems, I think that he has real potential. It will be intriguing to see who will start up front. Not, I would suggest, the two players who were recently playing at the lower levels of the non-league.

Todorov in, but Eastwood goes to Wolves

Svetoslav Todorov has agreed to join Charlton on a one-year contract after rejecting the chance of a return to Bulgaria with Levski Sofia. Leicester, Stoke and Wigan were all quickly linked with a move for the 28-year-old after he turned down the offer of a new deal from Portsmouth.

The experienced forward was the top scorer in the season when Pompey won promotion from the Championship and spent the first part of last season at Wigan. Before he joined Portsmouth he was at West Ham.

He commented, 'Everything happened really fast, I passed the medicals and am training with Charlton.'

Freddy Eastwood is poised to sign for Wolves on a deal in the region of £2m. Charlton were apparently not prepared to go beyond the £1.5m also offered by Norwich.

Germans interested in Diawara

Setanta Sports are reporting that Diawara is about to leave The Valley. His agent Roger Boli has stated that a host of clubs have made firm approaches for the player [as he tries to drum up interest].

Bundesliga leading club Borussia Dortmund appear to be in pole position to sign Diawra who is interested in moving to Germany (I thought he spoke French).

'I have to meet Souleymane this week, as he is back from holidays', his agent said. 'We will study his options, but for the moment we are waiting.'

Elsewhere, Steve Bruce has denied any interest in Amdy Faye.

Valley hero is back

Chris Powell is back at Sparrows Lane in a coaching role. He does not have a specific role, but there is no doubt that his experience and inspirational qualities will make a major contribution, not least with younger players. Alan Pardew has not ruled out playing him at left back should Ben Thatcher be injured.

Former England international Powell has undoubtedly been one of the most popular players at The Valley in recent years and it is great to see him back.

Charlton compete with Wolves for Eastwood

Black Country papers have reported that Wolves are braced for a fresh competition in the battle to sign striker target Freddy Eastwood from the Shrimpers with Charlton poised to make a bid. Norwich are also reported to be interested. The Addicks are reportedly prepared to invest a chunk of the money the club made on Darren Bent to land the 23-year old - prompting fears that the Addicks may outstrip the £1.5m that Wolves offered a fortnight ago.

Whether Charlton will go much above £2m will be interesting to see.

Charlton loan young Israeli striker

Israeli sources are reporting that 'another London club' (which says something for our profile in Israel) are to accept a loan of 17-year old Israeli striker Ben Sahar from Chelsea until Christmas: Sahar

This presumably means that we will not purchase another striker, but will review the situation at Christmas, sensibly keeping some money in hand until then.

A lot will be expected of Marcus Bent and many Charlton fans are not too optimistic given his attitude and his focus on his social life. However, he does need to revive his career so perhaps he will do better than we expect.

Faye may go to Blues

Birmingham City are lining up a bid for Amdy Faye and Charlton may be willing to let him go according to Sky Sports News:
Faye

Sky Sports News describes Faye's season at Charlton as 'indifferent', 'inconsistent' might be another word and I would be prepared to let him go for a modest fee, given that there would be a saving on the wages bill.

Nathan Ellington rumours revive

Rumours of a Charlton interest in Nathan Ellington have been revived today. They may have some plausibility, given the general exodus from West Brom. The price could be as high as £4m and whether that is affordable is uncertain as Charlton supremo Peter Varney is rightly playing his cards close to his chest.

Commenting on Darren Bent's departure, he stated 'Within the budget we had a valuation for Darren, and as well a fairly substantial payment going to Ipswich there are the losses on the transfer market that have to be met from last season.'

'We're not going to talk about what we are or aren't going to spend because that alerts other people to our budgets, and then they quote those back at you when you contact them about players. This money helps to put the club back to where it should have been and we start again. Our number one priority is to get this club back to the Premier League as soon as we can.'