‘We’re not looking enough of a danger’ – Charlton Athletic boss seeking more from set-pieces

 

Dean Holden wants more out of his Charlton Athletic players when attacking set-pieces.

The Addicks lost 3-2 to Port Vale on Saturday and the visitors’ first goal came from an excellent free-kick by Ethan Chislett which was headed home by James Wilson.

Charlton were not able to produce the same kind of quality as they slipped to a third straight League One defeat.

“It was a great delivery of the ball (for Vale’s goal),” said Addicks boss Holden. “We’ve brought Terry Taylor to the club – not specifically for set-pieces but he is a set-piece specialist. He has proven that earlier in his career.

“It’s the first proper chance we’ve had to look at him today and there were some real good balls going in. We need to start getting on the end of things, in an attacking sense. We’re not looking as much of a danger as I’d like at the moment.

“Again we’ll keep working at it.”

Charlton head to Oxford United this weekend looking to end their pointless spell. The home team are in good form, chalking up three league wins in a row since their opening day defeat to surprise leaders Cambridge.

Asked about pulling the South Londoners out of their current slump, Holden said: “I’ve gone and done the top coaching licenses and I’ve gone and spoken to people all over the world in different industries away from football – there is no magic formula for any of it. You have to work hard and front up – address where we are at the moment.

“It’s not been a pretty 10-11 days since Newport, has it? Off the back of a fantastic start against Leyton Orient. The only thing I know to do is get off the canvas.

“We’re all a bit disappointed and flat but you wake up on Sunday and your first thought is (blows his lips) then you get out of bed, roll your sleeves up and go to work again.”

 

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“This is very exciting” – Carlton Palmer reacts as Sunderland plot Crystal Palace transfer deal

The Black Cats are one of many clubs targeting a move for the Crystal Palace winger

Sunderland have become the latest in a long list of Sky Bet Championship clubs monitoring the situation of young Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, with just over a week remaining in this summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old has been linked with loan moves to a whole host of second tier outfits for many weeks now, as Roy Hodgson weighs up a decision which will give him his next stage of development, after impressing on loan at fellow South London outfit Charlton Athletic in the 2022/23 season.

Despite the Addicks’ finishing 15 points behind the final League One play-off place last season, Rak-Sakyi emerged as their star performer, accumulating 15 goals and a further 8 assists in 43 outings. Unsurprisingly, he went on to win both Charlton’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards in the club’s end of season ceremony.

His performances definitely caught the eye of Hodgson, who has so far named him part of Palace’s squad in their opening two Premier League fixtures. Having been an unused substitute in the Eagles’ opening day win against Sheffield United, the winger replaced Joel Ward in the 83rd minute in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Monday night.

Sunderland interest in Rak-Sakyi

The first report linking the two parties came from Alan Nixon on Sunday afternoon, as the Black Cats become the latest Championship club targeting a potential season-long loan deal.

However, the same report states that Blackburn Rovers are “desperate” to also acquire his services, as well as the recently relegated Leicester City.

Nixon also highlights that Rak-Sakyi is nearing the exit door on a temporary basis, after Palace were able to extend Michael Olise’s contract.

What has Carlton Palmer said on Sunderland’s interest?

Speaking to FLW, Palmer believes a potential move to the Stadium of Light would be one that excites Sunderland supporters, and that Rak-Sakyi would reap the benefits as a result of their well-documented development of young players.

 

“Sunderland are the latest in a long list of clubs looking to sign Rak-Sakyi. After spending last season at Charlton where he netted 15 goals and assisted a further eight, he has since been linked with a number of Championship clubs, and Palace are weighing up his next move.

“For the young lad, it has been proven that Tony Mowbray works with good, young talent, developing them and bringing them on. This is very exciting, and would be a very, very good signing for Sunderland.” Palmer added.

A potential replacement to key men?

Last season, it was Amad Diallo who grabbed a lot of headlines on Wearside, scoring 14 times in 39 Championship games. Mowbray is looking to replace those mass contributions after the Ivorian returned to Manchester United.

Recent reports suggest another winger could soon depart, with the aforementioned report from Nixon stating Patrick Roberts is attracting interest from Southampton and Celtic.

However, Palmer believes Rak-Sakyi would add to the quality of Sunderland’s wingers, rather than being viewed as a direct replacement.

“I don’t see Rak-Sakyi as a replacement for Amad or Patrick Roberts.

“I think they need strength in depth, and they need the quality and he will add to that.”. the pundit continued.