While last season certainly did not come without its disappointments, there is plenty to be optimistic about from a Charlton Athletic perspective at this moment in time.
Supporters are quietly confident that a top-six finish could be on the cards, despite the bookies suggesting otherwise, with Guy Luzon bringing in a raft of signings from across the continent.
Here, Sports Mole assesses whether Addicks fans are right to dream of a long-awaited return to the top flight, or if another season of mediocrity awaits.
In
Patrick Bauer (Maritimo), El-Hadji Ba (Sunderland), Ahmed Kashi (Metz), Cristian Ceballos (Tottenham Hotspur), Zakarya Bergdich (Real Valladolid), Naby Sarr (Sporting Lisbon), Simon Makienok (Palermo, season-long loan)
Out
Tal Ben Haim (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Christophe Lepoint (Zulte Waregem), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Simon Church (MK Dons), Chris Eagles (Released), Neil Etheridge (Walsall), Roger Johnson (Released), Oguchi Onyewu (Released), Lawrie Wilson (Bolton Wanderers), Piotr Parzyszek (Randers, season-long loan), Marko Dmitrovic (Alcorcon, season-long loan), Rhoys Wiggins (Sheffield Wednesday)
Last season - 12th
Manager - Guy Luzon
A poor run of results spelled the end of Bob Peeters's time in charge at The Valley, and it was Luzon who was tasked with taking over a team on the slide following what had been a decent start to the campaign overall. Having been dismissed by owner Roland Duchatelet at Standard Liege, big questions were asked over the relatively unknown manager's capabilities.
Those initial doubts soon evaporated, however, as the Israeli provided some attacking flair to the side to turn a potential relegation dogfight into a cakewalk in the grand scheme of things. That is not to say that Luzon has completely proved himself yet, of course, with a big few months ahead in his first full campaign on these shores.
Key Player - Tony Watt
A run of seven victories from nine outings between mid-February and the end of March steered Athletic well clear of the drop zone last term, which was largely down to the impressive form of star striker Watt. The man most famous for scoring against Barcelona in the Champions League for Celtic found the net five times for the South London outfit in all upon joining midway through the season.
His link-up play with Johann Berg Gudmundsson certainly offers plenty to look forward to from a Charlton perspective, but it remains to be seen just how much the new summer recruits will add. Luzon has gone for players with potential rather than those boasting experience at this level, which could go one of two ways.
Possible starting lineup
Henderson; Bergdich, Bauer, Sarr, Solly; Cousins, Ba, Gudmundsson, Ceballos; Vetokele, Watt
First game: Queens Park Rangers (H), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Much like 12 months ago, it is a difficult task to predict exactly which way Charlton's season will go. On the one hand, some potentially shrewd purchases could help spearhead a drive for the top six, while on the other Luzon may have a little too much on his hands to turn last season's 12th-placed side into challengers.
The Addicks certainly boast some real quality in certain areas, and the news that midfielder Jordan Cousins will remain a part of the project taking place in SE7 is also a major boost on the eve of the new campaign. The gulf in quality in the higher reaches may just prove to be too much for Athletic on this occasion, but a year of further stability before a potential push next season might just be on the cards.
