Charlton need goals!

Article by e-Charlton Correspondent Luke Goldsmith

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Last season’s campaign highlighted Charlton’s urgent need for goals and more appropriately the need for a more prolific striker. As the division’s third lowest goal scorers, Charlton posted a poor return of 41 goals in 46 matches (league only). In fact, prior to José Riga’s appointment, Charlton’s ratio of goals to game was even worse 24 in 30. Why have Charlton been so poor in front of goal and what can be done to correct this worrying frailty?

The first point of analysis naturally falls upon the forward men. In the past eight seasons, only two Charlton strikers have scored more than 15 league goals in a season (Darren Bent and Bradley Wright-Phillips).

Charlton tried five strikers last term, of which their combined league goals total was 16. Compare that to Blackburn and Leicester’s forwards, who scored 40 and 44 respectively, Charlton’s shortfall becomes blindingly apparent.

This lack of forward options has resulted in a disproportionately high contribution from midfield, a fact supported by Jonnie Jackson’s top goal scorer title in two of the last four seasons. Another train of thought when postulating the cause of Charlton’s woeful goal scoring is the playing style. During the Powell years, Charlton’s defence was water tight.

A good goal keeper, solid defensive options and cover from midfield meant that Charlton never leaked many goals. It is also clear that Powell’s style of play did limit the creative options upfront, and during his tenure the most potent attacking weapon was target man Yann Kermorgant (sadly sold to Bournemouth).

This style of play was juxtaposed to fast moving attacking style employed by José Riga, a fact supported by the goals per game ratio of 1.06 versus Powell’s 0.8 (league games only).

Given these concerns, what moves have been taken to address Charlton’s apparent goal shyness? The 2014/15 forward options are:

Igor Vetokele

The 22 year old Angolan International forward was signed for €3 million from F.C. Copenhagen this summer. He was their top scorer last term with 14 goals, helping them finish runners up in the Danish Superliga.

Known to head Coach Bob Peeters from their time at Cercle Brugge, Vetokele also has Champions League experience from Copenhagen’s run in the competition last year (group phase with Juventus, Real Madrid and Galatasaray).

A small striker with a good turn of pace, he will score most of his goal within the 18 yard box given his performances at Copenhagen.

Simon Church

This will be Church’s second season at the Valley after joining from Reading in August 2013. At six foot in height, Church plays more of a forward role as opposed to a striker. He has a reasonable turn of pace for a big player, but didn’t live up to expectations in his first season scoring only 3 goals in 38 league appearances.

Zak Ansah

Signed from Arsenal’s youth academy, 20 year old Zak Ansah did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners but did make the bench in a Champions League fixture Olympiacos last year.

Son of former Southend footballer and avid Charlton fan Andy, the fleet-footed youngster looks like a future investment as opposed to starting forward option. There was apparent interest last year, so the Charlton scouts have obvious faith in his abilities.

Joe Pigott

The 20 year old youth product signed professional terms in 2012. He has never scored in 12 appearances for the Addicks, but did score during his loan spells at Gillingham and Bromley. Given Charlton’s other striking options, I think Pigott will play a peripheral role this year.

George Țucudean

The 6’ 2” Romanian has been brought in to provide Charlton with a much needed target man. Sourced from Roland’s Network, (Standard Liège more appropriately) Țucudean’s career goal scoring recorded does not suggest he will fill the ’15 goal a season’ striker Charlton are sorely after.

He is only 23 years old though, and if his considerable presence creates opportunities for the more nimble forward options of Vetokele and Ansah, he will prove his worth.

Reza Ghoochannejhad

It is with some trepidation that I include ‘Goochie’ in this list. Rumours of an imminent departure to the Middle East were substantiated by Bob Peeters after the defeat to Ebbsfleet on Wednesday evening.

He elaborated that the move has fallen through, but there are significant concerns regarding his future at the Valley. Until his position is clarified though, I will include the Iranian superstar.

Aside from one stunning goal against Leeds last season, Charlton have seen little from the striker (a point mirrored by former club Liège). Despite this, if Charlton see anything near his outstanding performances for Iran in the recent World Cup, Charlton could have a gem on their hands.

So there are Charlton’s forwards. I still foresee goals hard to come by for the Addicks next year as I don’t believe Ghoochannejhad and Church will provide much.

Ansah is still developing and too little is known as to Țucudean’s ability. The signing of Vetokele does seem to be a shrewd investment, even at the cost of £2.4 million.

Combined with additional creativity in midfield – taking the form of Franck Moussa and Icelandic wing Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson – Vetokele seems the most likely candidate to get 15 goals or more next term.

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