A word on the players from 4,000 miles away I obviously have only had the benefit of seeing 4 games in the flesh this season (Fulham a, Portsmouth a, Watford a, Sheffield Utd h) and another 20 or so live on television, so if you are like I used to be and put no credibility in viewpoints of those kind of 'armchair supporters', then look away now.

Scott Carson
Player of the year by ooh, 4,000 miles. Good luck Scotty, you will always be one of us.
STAY or GO? Would love to see him stay but frankly he deserves better, so sadly Go.

Darren Randolph
Other young goalkeepers have slipped the net, Jason Brown for example or been toilet. Hopefully not this one. Maybe he's the new long-time in coming Graham Tutt?
STAY or GO? STAY, he could save us a few mill on a new goalkeeper.

Osei Sankofa
Slowly grew in confidence during his spell in the first team. Not sure Pards was impressed, me neither.
STAY or GO? His contract is up, maybe GO depending on who else is available in the market.

Luke Young
I thought we really missed him when he was out injured. An injury that never seemed to heal and could hamper a big money move.
STAY or GO? GO. A bottom half Prem team manager will get desperate to buy him at some point. Probably Curbishley.

Nathan Ashton
Out of contract. Went to Millwall and didn't get a game there. That says it all for me.
STAY or GO? GO, probably to a lower division side.

Ben Thatcher
Noses were turned upwards when Pards signed him but he led by example and will do a fine job of scaring the living bejesus out of right wingers next season.
STAY or GO? STAY

Herman Hreidarsson
Another out of contract. I'm not going to knock his passion because he has proved that he cares, however for me he became a liability in the same way Mark Fish did towards the end of his time, whether at full back, centre-half or the injury time striker.
STAY or GO? His contracts up so a tricky one. He might not like a one year extension but that is the best offer I have. STAY.

Kelly Youga
Remember him? No me neither.
STAY or GO? Er, tough one.... GO.

Cory Gibbs
Signed with high hopes and I can only wonder how frustrating it must be to watch that load of pony week in week out from the sidelines. Oh wait, that was what I did but without the 10k a week softener.
STAY or GO? Under contract and if fit could be very useful in the Championship. STAY.

Madjid Bougherra
Have my reservations but yet to see him close up. However Magic was rated one of the best players in the Championship when at Wednesday so hopefully a player we can build a promotion bid around.
STAY or GO? STAY

Souleymane Diawara
"The best centre-half no one has ever heard off." Perhaps from 4,000 miles I saw things in him that others didn't and that includes Mr Murray. He plays a very continental style which concerns some, i.e. he plays off of the attacker and relies on pace instead of brute force. He may take a little time to adjust (again) to the Championship but he should be head and shoulders above others in that division.
STAY or GO? On the basis that Murray blotted his copybook, I can't see anyone paying the salary or fee for him, which is good news for us I think. STAY.

Talal El Karkouri
El Khak, what a dilemma. Curbishley packed him off to the desert, Dowie brought him back. He played in 36 Premiership games this season and looked either world class or back of the class. His hopeful punts up field drove me insane, yet without his goals we would have had 5 pts less than we ended up with.
STAY or GO? Could go either way but probably a STAY with reduced pay.

Jonathan Fortune
Wanted by Stoke but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Pards wishes to keep the centre-half next season, however Fortune might feel the time is right to move on.
STAY or GO? GO. He will move on if Pards gets some money to add to the coffers.

Simon Walton
Played less games than Omar Pouso and lets face it none of us know if he's any good or not. His disciplinary record is a big concern but he may be useful in the Championship
STAY or GO? He only started 18 games in the fizzy's last year and got sent off 3 times and booked 7. He is contracted until 2010 but have a feeling Pards will move the youngster on if it is right. Coventry anyone? GO

Matt Holland
I thought it was time for Matty to pack his clean sheets and go last season but in our moments of despair he was often our only beacon of light. He even got booked twice!
STAY or GO? Next year's captain. Most certainly a STAY.

Amdy Faye
He was frankly an embarrassment between the end of September to January. He did however score the goal in our only away win in 35 matches, and I was there!
STAY or GO? Ideally, we'd offload the useless piece of crap but have a feeling he will be sitting on the bench a lot next season.

Bryan Hughes
A bit part player but you know exactly what you are going to get. However think he could be quite useful in the Championship.
STAY or GO? Out of contract. Just for my son's sake as his best friend is Hughes' son, STAY

Radostin Kishishev
You either appreciate him or you don't. I could never knock his workrate but then again if I was that fit and wearing a Charlton shirt I'd run around like a headless chicken too.
STAY or GO? Not Kish's fault but he is a remnant of the Curbs' era. I don't think Pards rates him, he's not the only one. GO

Andy Reid
The rotund one made a big impact in his 15 league starts, and his absence was sorely missed in the final 5-6 games when we just couldn't unlock a defence.
STAY or GO? If he can stay fit, then I reckon he will be the best player in the Championship. STAY

Alexandre Song
People forget that this lad is only 19 and started just 11 games for Arsenal, 7 of which were in the cup. To come into our situation must have been very, very difficult and I think he is beyond criticism. I also understand he was exceptional at Anfield, which showed he amongst one or two others were more relaxed after our relegation.
STAY or GO? His future at Arsenal is unclear, although he is under contract until 2010. I would love to see him sign, but would think he will hold out at The Emirates. However perhaps another loan is not out of the question. STAY if possible.

Rurik Gislason
Often cited as the next best thing by reserve watchers. Not sure Pards thinks so.
STAY or GO? Should have stopped in Iceland. GO

Alistair John
Has failed to make an impact and I have a theory about the players that Pards was happy to have out on loan.
STAY or GO? Will probably end up at Ebbsfleet United, formerly Gravesend & Northfleet and the home for failed Charlton youth products. GO

Dennis Rommedahl
I have tried to stick up for this nob, time and time again but Romm goes down in the long line of elusive talent. There was that last minute goal at Selhurst though.
STAY or GO? He's already stated his intentions and I don't hear anyone standing in the way. GO.

Jerome Thomas
Too many step overs, spends too much time on his fat arse, thinks he's better and more famous than he really is and oh, lose that 12-year old bum-fluff.
STAY or GO? Under contract until 2008. Rumours of Matt Jarvis coming will I think send Thomas packing. I understand Fulham will be challenging for honours next season..... GO

Lloyd Sam
Has impressed when given the chance but another that has suffered with injuries.
STAY or GO? I think he could be useful a step down. Under contract to 2010. STAY.

Myles Weston
Another player who Pards sent out on loan, which equals not rated in my book.
STAY or GO? Contracts up. GO

Zheng Zhi
ZZ often showed his naivety but I thought he really 'wanted it' in games and I liked he's attitude and commitment a lot.
STAY or GO? We have an option on signing him permanently and I would like to see that. I suppose it just depends on whether his agent can shift him to a Premiership club such as Everton. I hope not, STAY.

Darren Ambrose
One of those that I thought noticeably improved under Pards and Parky. Can get goals too, and I think will be important to us in the fizzy pops.
STAY or GO? Under contract and willing I expect to give promotion a crack. STAY

Darren Bent
I will probably get shouted down saying this, but because his age and the level that he has played and succeeded at, I reckon he's better than Mendonca and Hales. 38 goals in 77 matches for the Addicks.
STAY or GO? Sadly a GO, with all the thanks in the world.

Marcus Bent
Never will be or never was a 'Charlton player'. A Curbishley legacy, ta very much.
STAY or GO? GOod Riddance.

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink
I was one that trumpeted his arrival and I understand his attitude off the pitch was good, shame the fat one didn't show it in front of a crowd.
STAY or GO? Already decided. GOne.

James Walker
Released by the club, I guess under Curbs' recommendation but then brought back by Dowie. He has been out on loan all over the place but strangely won the 'young player of the year' award, when I thought it should have gone to Kevin Lisbie.
STAY or GO? Out of contract. We are so short of strikers that he may stay. Otherwise Ebsfleet here you come. STAY

Kevin Lisbie
Don't get me going on 'Super Kev.' Really that hat-trick against Liverpool will not keep you in stories of your glittering football career with the grandchildren Kev!
STAY or GO? GO, please, go.

Chris Dickson
A promising professional debut but undoubtedly has lots to learn but hopefully Pards has unearthed a gem.
STAY or GO? Hopefully the future, STAY

And what happened to the players that were released this time last year? Well Chris Perry and Jay Bothroyd are currently doing battle in the play-off's. Perry may think there is some kind of justice if West Brom go up, and who can blame him? Bothroyd has scored 9 goals in Wolves' march to the play-offs, although he still doesn't seem to be able to last 90 minutes.

PFA chairman Chrissy Powell, who gave travelling Addicks an superb response at Vicarage Road. He played 15 games and joined us in relegation heaven. Now 37, he has said he wants another year playing.

Was Shaun Bartlett worse than Marcus Bent and JFH? My old neighbour signed for Kaizer Chiefs in August. They currently sit in midtable with just one game left. Bartlett has scored 4 goals in 13 starts. His old striking partner JJ had more luck in Sweden with Malmo, where him and Jari Litmanen formed a formidable strike force. JJ scored 12 goals in 15 league games.

Youngsters Mark Ricketts and Alex Varney are both at Ebsfleet United FC, nee Gravesend & Northfleet. Ricketts has been offered a new extended contract, whilst Reg's son was only on a short-term deal.  ¶ 13:24