Nigel Adkins talked in glowing terms of Charlton’s new signing Charlie Kirk at Thursday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Oxford United.
The talented winger signed a four-year contract with the Addicks on Thursday afternoon and Adkins was very happy to welcome him to the club.
He said: “I’m really pleased, Steve Gallen, Ged Roddy, the owner – there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes with many players and we’re delighted Charlie has decided to come and join us. It is a long term thing as well, we’re trying to build something at the football club and we’ve got a very talented young man who wants to improve and wants to get better and we’re delighted he’s come to join us.”
When asked if he may feature in Saturday’s game against Oxford United the Charlton boss said: “He's been at the training ground this afternoon. We’ll just take stock of the whole thing. We’re delighted he’s with us and he’ll be wanting to play as quickly as he can.”
He also explained Charlton’s transfer business is likely not complete.
“Every manager will be saying we want to bring a few more players in,” he said. “We certainly intend to bring some more players in, to bolster a very good group of players, who are close knit, with a great pathway for the academy, just to give ourselves an opportunity before the transfer window shuts.”
“We’ve set out on a vision, it is a long-term vision that the owner has set out and from my point of view, we are trying to build something. Yes, we all want it yesterday but unfortunately that doesn’t happen. There is a pathway for the academy players and the coaches – you can see that already. So, we’re building something, we’re building a foundation that hopefully give us that stability. The owner has brought stability to the football club, I would like to think the experience I’ve got helps to build that stability and navigate ourselves through what is going to be a very challenging season but hopefully we can put the building blocks in place that we can be successful this season, the season after, the season after that, but in a way that is progressive but with stability and sustainability. With Charlie signing a four-year contract, that is another building block in the long-term vision we’ve got.”
The Addicks travel to Oxford on Saturday and Adkins was pleased with the preparation ahead of the game.
He said: “There’s a good spirit in the camp. We had a good meeting and a good training session today. We’re all looking forward to the weekend’s game, we’ve got a big week coming up - three good games but we want to get momentum, three big games, we know they are all tough games. What a division this is by the way! Every game is going to be tough. There won’t be any easy games, so we’ve got to all be on it. What I do know though is that we’ve an honest hard-working, committed group of players, who have got quality as well. They are all coachable, they all want to improve.
“You can sense the feeling that everyone wants to help each other, it’s great, there is a real positive vibe around the players and the staff that we’ve got. It’s a long season, we’ve all got to stick together with it and be excited by it.”
The team will be supported by away fans for a league game for the first time in more than 17 months.
Adkins said: “We had a good following at Fulham [in pre-season] – they made a lot of noise. I’m looking forward to the fans getting behind us. Our endeavor will be doing everything we can to go and win a game of football and put a smile on supporters faces.”
Supporters can purchase tickets for Saturday's game against Oxford United until 11am on Friday morning. Oxford will not be selling tickets on the day. Click here to purchase your ticket.