Sports Mole wonders whether Charlton Athletic can emulate their surprisingly lofty Championship season from last term this time around.
With just five days until the new Championship season kicks off, Sports Mole analyses Charlton Athletic's chances for the upcoming campaign.
In:
Richard Wood (From Coventry City, Free), Mark Gower (From Swansea City, Free)
Out:
John Sullivan (To Portsmouth, Free), Scott Wagstaff (To Bristol City, Free), Ricardo Fuller (Released), Salim Kerkar (Released), Yado Mambo (Released), Matt Taylor (Released), Bradley Wright-Phillips (To New York Red Bulls, Free) Danny Haynes (To Notts County, Free)
Last Season: 9th
Manager: Chris Powell
Three key players:
© PA Photos
Johnnie Jackson - Goalscoring midfielder and captain Jackson is at the heart of most good things Charlton produce on the pitch. Now into his 30s, the number four should still be able to produce at this level for a few years yet. Last season he was the club's top scorer with 12 strikes in the league and a similar return should be enough for Charlton to reward him with a new contract as his current one is up at the end of the season. If they don't, other clubs are sure to pick up his scent and track him.
© PA Photos
Mark Gower - Veteran midfielder Gower joined the Addicks on loan from Premier League side Swansea City for a couple of months at the end of last season. Initially he could not earn a starting role under Powell but soon embedded himself in the team, becoming a key player in the club's impressive end-of-season run. The 34-year-old
completed a permanent move to The Valley at the beginning of July and a solid partnership with Jackson in midfield should be on the cards this year.
© PA Photos
Yann Kermorgant - Frontman Kermorgant was the only other Charlton player to finish in double figures on the goalscoring charts last season. With the departures of Haynes and Wright-Phillips, Kermorgant should be guaranteed of a starting berth in attack unless new recruits are found in August. Powell will want another double-figure haul from the Frenchman.
First game: Bournemouth (A), Complete fixture list
Sports Mole says: Arguably the Championship's surprise package last season after promotion from League One, Charlton adapted to life in the second tier brilliantly to finish just three points outside of the playoff places. This lofty position was achieved because of an eight-match unbeaten run to end the campaign, form that should mean confidence is high at the beginning of 2013-14. Achieving similarly dizzy heights this time around should be more difficult and a bout of second-season syndrome may hit the Addicks. In Powell they have a respected gaffer and under his guidance safety should be just fine. A lower mid-table finish is the most likely result this year as little has been added to improve the squad.
Predicted finish: 18th
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