reid all about it Well, well, well, that was a bit out of the blue wasn't it? The signing of Andy Reid, our 8th of the summer, had a touch of the classic Charlton about it with no prior media leakage. Reid, along with Michael Dawson signed for Spurs from the freefalling Nottm Forest 18 months ago - we were widely linked with both players at the time but £4m each was considered too high by the club.

Dawson has impressed at White Hart Lane, whereas Reid struggled to compete in a busy Spurs midfield stable. The Irishman (he has 19 caps) is a tiny bit, well a lot Pete Garland-esque, but lets hope the new fitness regime at The Valley can get him into shape. Not unlike the signings of others this summer, Reid represents a gamble but he does possess a cultured left foot, can score goals and is good at set pieces - gotta to be better than Holland any road.

I'm not sure how the "deal worth up to £3m" will be paid, but I expect it will include appearance triggers and at only 24, probably a sell on percentage too.

With Thomas, Sam, Rommedahl, Ambrose and Bolanos competiting for the wide positions, I expect Dowie to charge Reid with the role of playmaker. Like Murphy, what he lacks in pace, he more than makes up with his passing and vision. One thought in my mind is that ID could play a 3-5-2 formation with HH, El Khak or Sorondo and Traore playing at the back, with Young, Reid, Faye, Ambrose and a wide man playing in a 5-man midfield, although we have been pretty rigid with a 4-4-2 during pre-season. It is not expected that Reid (injury) or Bolanos (work permit) will be able to start the new season - anyway more talk on team permutations later.

Talking to mates and reading blogs and stuff last night, I'm getting rather excited about the new season.  ¶ 02:51