Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 - Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic

Odds: 1500/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 13 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 11 (Premiership), 2003/04 - 7 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 12 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 14 (Premiership).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Sixth Round (replay) vs Middlesbrough (a) - lost 4-2.
Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Blackburn Rovers (h) - lost 3-2.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Darren Bent (striker) - 22 goals.

Players In
Simon Walton (Leeds United - £500,000), Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink (Middlesbrough - Free), Gonzalo Sorondo (Inter Milan - Free).

Players Out
Francis Jeffers (Blackburn Rovers - Free), Chris Powell (Watford - Free), Chris Perry (West Bromwich Albion - Free), Jay Bothroyd (Wolves - Free), Adam Cottrell (Millwall - Free), Jonatan Johansson (Released), Shaun Bartlett (Released).

Charlton Athletic will approach the 2006/07 season without former manager Alan Curbishley, who brought an end to his 15 year tenure at The Valley in the summer. Iain Dowie is the man responsible for taking the Addicks onto better things but his switch from Crystal Palace wasn't straight forward.

The former Northern Ireland international was served with a writ from former employers Palace for "fraudulent representation" after leaving Selhurst Park. Chairman Simon Jordan claimed he only released Dowie in order for him to move closer to his family in the North West, but Dowie made a short trip across London instead.

Dowie signed veteran Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on a free transfer from Middlesbrough. The 34 year old is seventh on the list of all time Premiership top goal scorers, having netted 125 goals in 263 appearances for Middlesbrough, Chelsea and Leeds United. Despite his advancing years, his appetite for goals shows no sign of diminishing and he scored 34 goals in 89 appearances for Middlesbrough.

Hasselbaink should form a potent partnership with last season's top goal scorer Darren Bent, who ended speculation about his future at the club by signing a new four year contract. Despite scoring 18 Premiership goals last season, making him the most prolific English striker, he was left out of England's World Cup squad and was linked with a £10 million move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Leeds United teenager Simon Walton, who made his debut as a 16 year old in the 2004/05 season joined in a £500,000 deal while captain Luke Young signed a new four year contract ending rumours he was set to join West Ham United. Young has made 158 Premiership appearances since joining the Addicks from Tottenham Hotspur in 2001.

Verdict
Charlton could well improve with a fresh face in charge and will certainly be more dangerous in attack with the addition of Hasselbaink. The Addicks could emulate their 2003/04 campaign and break into the top 10.

About The Author-- David Walker runs VCBet free bet and football betting systems websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

Article Source: Articles island - Free article submission and free reprint articles