Friendlies show another change in management thinking
Away games at Valencia and Hibernian have been chosen ahead of a trip to South Africa to complete the pre-season schedule. Policy on pre-season friendlies is another early sign of a change in management philiosphies between Dowie and Curbs', who preferred the low key approach against lower opposition, normally on the road, which I guess was to help build confidence. Although rarely have we started the season as well as we did in Curb's last one.Alternatively Dowie it appears from the selected opposition favours much tougher summer tests, perhaps building sharpness and condition quicker. At Palace Dowie was known for the emphasis he put on fitness and in my mind Charlton never finished matches as strongly as they did after Les Reed left the coaching staff. So the two combined should mean a much fitter and energetic squad.
This is the final list of friendlies, which is surely the most attractive we have seen for many a year:
Sat July 22
Millwall ATues July 25
Hibernian ASat July 29
Valencia AWed Aug 2
Welling United A
Sat Aug 5
New Zealand HTue Aug 8
Germinal Beerschot AFri Aug 11
FC Utrecht A