Football Season Guide

Charlton are back to League One after a four-year stay in the Championship, and their transfer policy is widely seen as the reason for their relegation, as the Addics opted to sign a number of continental players on short-term deals, with their signings often failing to adapt to the requirements of Championship football. It is hardly a surprise that the Addics have had a squad overhaul during the summer - they have lost some of their best players in Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Jordan Cousins, Tony Watt and Igor Vetokele, but they have also signed proven League One quality in the likes of Nicky Ajose, Andrew Croft and Lee Novak, while a lot will also be expected of Ricky Holmes, who has had a superb season with Northampton last time around. Perhaps most importantly, the Addics have opted to go for a managerial change and bring in Russel Slade, who is widely known for turning their South London rivals into strong candidates to win promotion into the Championship before having his head turned by his now former club Cardiff. Slade is a boss who knows the division inside out and will be trusted to get the most out of what is, by League One standards, a rather talented Charlton squad. The Addics were a solid midtable Premier League club not that long ago and, having grown used to playing in the Championship over the recent years, will be looking to leave this division as soon as possible.