The End Of Season Clear-out Begins!

The curtain has barely closed on the 11/12 season and already the wheels are in motion in the transfer market. Lets start with the outgoings...

Since the weekend, the club have confirmed the departures of Steve Howard and John Pantsil. While John Pantsil won't be overly missed, it's a shame we've got rid of Super Steve. That being said, I can understand the decision - he's been past his best for a couple of seasons now, and while it's true he's been a good servant to the team, the time is probably right for him to move on. I spoke to him at the Fans Player Of The Year awards last week, and he said he'd already had some Championship interest so good luck to him - he's a top bloke. My money's on him to be wearing a Charlton shirt next season under Chris Powell - You heard it here first, folks!

Matt Oakley (now a free agent) and Bruno Burner (retired) both left during the season, and Franck Moussa & Alex Tunchev are both expected to leave in the coming days, but with the Financial Fair Play rule coming into force next season, none of these are likely to make a large dent in the sizable wage budget. One player whose departure would substantially reduce the wage bill would be Jermaine Beckford. I've got mixed feelings about this one...

We paid £2.5million for Jermaine back in August, and I have to admit, it took me a long while to warm to him. While he scored one in October and one in November, he really didn't start firing them in regularly until January this year - kicked off by his hat-trick against F*rest. Since then though, he's done really well for us, and although his movement isn't as good as some, I don't think you can have a go at someone who is scoring regularly. Some people are keen to see the back of him, and with Leeds rumored to be preparing their offer already it may well happen, but I think it's worth remembering that he's only scored 1 less goal this season than David Nugent. Another player who it can only be assumed will be shown the door is centre back Matt Mills. For me, he was the most under-utilized player for us last season. It's a shame that he seemed to fall out with Nigel Pearson earlier in the year, as at the time his partnership at the back with Sean St. Ledger was just starting to work. I have a feeling that Nigel's stubbornness  may have harmed the team in this case.

But who else do you think is likely to go? Will Kasper be poached by one of the Premier League's elite? Are you as keen to see the back of Paul Gallagher as the people who sit behind me in SK1? 

Let me know what you think - I'd be really keen to include other people's views in this blog going forward and the only way I can do this is if you tell me!!

I'll give it a few days for the rumors of incomings to start coming in (I know a few have already started!) and I'll post my opinion on those then.

TTNS...