Thomas Sandgaard is looking to add to Charlton’s squad ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
The Charlton Owner and CEO has been pleased with the recruitment done so far this summer and met with Director of Recruiting Steve Gallen, Director of Analytics Martin Sandgaard and Manager Ben Garner this morning as the group work on final plans before the window slams shut.
When asked about the possibility of adding a striker ahead of Thursday’s deadline, Sandgaard told CharltonTV: "Of course we are looking at it to see if we can create a little more, where we can stretch the opposition defence a little more. If we can have someone that's able to run in behind and create confusion and the stretching of the other defence, that will be helpful.
"We've seen that already here this season and that is something where it's been a little too easy for the opposition defences to cut us off there, so if we can strengthen on that then that is something we're looking at. And if we can get a little more depth in the central defence then that will be helpful, too. Those are the main areas we're looking at."
Sandgaard was also asked if he was expecting player departures. He said: “Expecting is a hard prediction. There are obviously a few players that may not fit our playing style so well anymore. There is some interest from other clubs so we will see how that goes."
Charlton have made seven signings already, with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi the most recent addition. Sandgaard explained the approach to this year’s recruitment. He said: “It's nice to see that when you have done that much business early on and steady, there's not a whole lot of panic and there's not too many moving parts which there can be on deadline day. It's very pleasing to see.
“We have just slowly and methodically been adding to the squad. We have also been recruiting as part of the overall strategy for the club. We will have a period of probably two seasons where we are getting to the point of being financially break-even, or cash flow neutral. Half of that will take place this season and the other half next season. We're slowly increasing revenues so it's nice to see that part of it coming together and we're slowly reducing costs elsewhere.
“This summer we've been able to rely on free agents so far and that has been very helpful, with relatively few loan players so we're still building a squad for the future which is important. We will continue to do that here over the next several transfer windows.
“The new signings have fitted in really well personality-wise and in terms of their technical abilities, their eagerness to learn even more, to fit into the squad and being adaptable with Ben Garner's style of coaching."
Sandgaard has also been impressed with the work of Garner, who he appointed just under three months ago. He added: “[It has been] everything we expected, everything that we saw when we interviewed him. It's been brilliant. It's nice to see not only on the training ground but to see the team, for the most, being consistent in how they are playing no matter what the opposing team is doing to us. There are ways you can adapt to how a game goes but also sometimes it's important that you stick to what works for you. When it clicks, it works really well and the game against Plymouth was a good example of that."
The Addicks take on Gillingham in the Papa John's Trophy at The Valley on Wednesday night. Purchase your tickets for the cup tie by clicking on the graphic below.
