It's here...and thanks very much sky bet!

i'm not deluded enough to think for a minute that we are going to enjoy a season watching Charlton romp to another league title.

However, I did stumble across the most generous bet on offer I've seen for a long time this week.

They (SkyBet) were offering 18-1 on Charlton being in the top six come September 1st. Yes that's right, the first of September, not after the long hall of a full campaign, but after just three and a bit weeks of the season. In a division where it's been proven time and time again anyone can beat anyone on their day.

Even more generously 50-1 was offered on the same time frame if we are top. (I felt that may be a bit like setting fire to a ten pound note and watching it go 'puff' though.)

I couldn't sleep this morning, so unlike a normal working day when I do battle with the snooze button and roll into work just in time, I'm up early clock watching, waiting and excited as the new season dawns.

To be honest it's even more difficult than normal to predict exactly how we are going to fair this afternoon and come to think of it over the course of the next 40 odd weeks.

A plethora of new unpronounceable names and faces to remember - who it would seem on the face of  it are a step up from the new recruits we've seen over recent years. Luzon now having the opportunity to make his mark with a full pre season of preparing the team to play 'his way', which according to him is hard, high and fast! Should be interesting.

A win today and I'll already be planning what to spend my 180 quid on.

Polish Pete departs...

...With Pazryk leaving on a season long loan I'm wondering if this means we are about to announce the final couple of parts of the rebuilding jigsaw.

I have a sneaky suspicion we will see another striker added to the squad in the next 24 hours.  Perhaps even a wide man also. This in my opinion would leave us with a squad that's got a bit of depth. Whether any of these new faces are any good or not, your guess is as good as mine.

Things shaping up nicely ahead of West Ham visit...

With JBG signing a new contract and Cousins apparently about to put pen to paper on a four year extension. Six what would seem more than just squad players signing and the distinct possibility of one or two more coming into The Valley prior to the end of the pre season warm up things are looking potentially Rosie in SE7. Some might even whisper that now Liege are no longer part of the network RD is beginning to show some careful ambition for little club.

It will be extremely interesting to see how we line up tomorrow, I think we will begin to get an idea of what the preferred starting eleven will be.

I am now officially excited, had enough of no football on a Saturday and raring to go come August 8th.

Can't wait!

The business end of pre season...

Following on from last nights comfortable 2-0 win at Dagenham Guy Luzon has stated that the home friendly against West Ham will see the ante upped as far as preperation for the new Championship season is concerned. He also suggested we will se at least three, perhaps even five more new faces coming in who will be of first team quality.

This coupled with the four new faces that have already arrived at Sparrows Lane and JBG signing a new four year deal says to me that those harbingers of doom amongst us will be pleasantly surprised with what unfolds in the season ahead.

We have a very difficult opening month to the season. If we can hold our own, picking up some points and not be near the bottom half come September then I'll be more than happy. Who knows? If the new players gel and we come out of the traps quick and fast then we could well be dreaming of a Wembley return (or better) come next May.

New away kit...what were they thinking?...

It took me ages to work out how to work snapchat so I could take a peak at the new away and third kits, let alone take a screen shot (sorry) which I think goes against the idea of snapchat.

If we were playing away to Millwall this season I think we'd be hearing a chorus of 'are you Palace in disguise). I'm not impressed, if you've seen it yourselves you'll get my point. If you haven't then you soon will when it's put on the official site.

The Purple third kit, complete with its luminous cycling safety strips down the side ain't much better.

Squad looking rather light...

With the traditional pre season friendly against Welling United just a few days away now the number of real potential first teamers in the squad is looking pretty light. In fact having taken a look at the squad list on the official site and removing yoof and those that have been released or sold I can really only see 16 names remaining who could be considered ready and worthy of being in the matchday 16!

This isn't a negative piece, as I'm sure we'll see a few more decent bodies joining the cause over the next few days, but just showing the facts as I can see them. Perhaps I've missed some experienced heads - if I have let me know, for no other reason than to put my mind at rest.

Goalkeepers:

Henderson, Dmitrov

Defenders:

Bikey, Wiggins, Solly, Fox, Bauer

Midfielders:

Jackson, Gudmunnson(hopefully), Moussa, Diarra, Cousins, Ba

Strikers:

Vetokele, Watt, Makienok

Of course there are the development players who were out on loan last season, but I'm not all that sure a few games at Plymouth or Canvey Island would have readied them for The Championship.

I'll be watching over the next few days with interest to see if, when and who comes in to re-inforce the squad.

Number 9 arrives at last, and he's a bit of a beast...

Taller than Andy Carrol and the same height as Peter Crouch Charlton today completed the season long loan deal to sign Simon Makienok.

As with all new signings I check out their showreels on YouTube  and the guy looks to be potentially an astute addition to the team and a dimension we haven't had up front since a certain Britons departure.

His goal ratio is around one every 2.5 games, he can hold the ball up and play an intelligent pass - and from what looks like a no fear attitude coupled with his sheer size could prove to be unplayable by some of the divisions defences.

On face value I'm pleased with the positive nature of all three summer signings. We'll just have to wait and see how else we strengthen and if and who leaves the Valley exit door.