'New management structure' to include Powell? It is supposed to be the end of the season, for Charlton anyhow, but by the time I get into work in the mornings, 6 hours behind people at home, I'm already struggling to keep up with the news involving us.

Yesterday's hot topic is not best dwelled on, there will be plenty of time for that but I would like to elaborate on our new signing Cory Gibbs. It does seem rather strange that we have signed a player without any management or first team coaches in place, but sign one we did and he will be the only name you will see flash up on your screens during the world cup finals with the words (Charlton Athletic) after it.

The 6'1" Florida born defender had a trial with the Addicks after leaving the Ivy League Brown University 5 years ago but a work permit was a non-starter. After a spell in the MLS, he then went to St Pauli in the Bundesliga. After 70 games he left Germany to sign for Dallas Burn but then got the opportunity to move to Feyenoord. Contrary to other stories I read, he was a regular there and played in the UEFA Cup but was keen to move to the Premiership and once Feyenoord learned that Gibbs was not going to renew his contract they shipped him out on loan to ADO Den Haag.

Gibbs wanted to sign for us, we desperately need a left back, he has 17 caps and sounds like a decent addition for no fee. USA national head coach Bruce Arena thinks it's a good fit too: "Cory is one of the first names I put on my teamsheet and is an outstanding defender of international quality. I am sure he will be a big favorite with the Charlton fans and I am not surprised that so many Premiership clubs tried to secure his signature once he made it clear he would be leaving Feyenoord. I wish him every success with his new club."

Today's top story was the departure of Mervyn Day and Keith Peacock. No surprise about fat Merv, who used to get a fair bit of blame from some Addicks' fans, rightly or wrongly we will never know. I expect him to turn up with Curbs whenever and wherever that will be.

As for Peacock, who I first saw play in 1975, he has been given some extended time off but is expected to be involved with the club again in some capacity.

Richard Murray has appointed ex-agent Andrew Mills into the new position of 'general manager - football.' as he "intends to reorganise the football management structure and to bring in a new management team to take the club forward." Interesting.

Word is that Murray and Mills will talk to out-of-contract players Chris Powell, Kevin Lisbie, Francis Jeffers, Chris Perry, Jonathan Fortune, Shaun Bartlett and Jonatan Johansson this week. Only Perry and Powell are expected to be retained. Powell may well be offered a coaching role in the new "football management structure."

Finally Adrian Boothroyd enamoured himself further to Addicks fans tonight when he sparked a 22-man punch up during Watford's 2nd leg play-off game against Crystal Palarse, after he reacted to Fitz Hall grabbing the ball off him.

Boothroyd and Phil Parkinson continue to be the most talked about names as Curbishley's successor but expect Billy Davies and Iain Dowie to be mentioned in Valley boardroom conversations this week after the deadline for applications passes tomorrow night.  ¶ 23:30