Our FLW Fan Pundit does not believe he has had the easiest time in his debut season at The Valley.
Charlton Athletic had an uninspiring season, finishing closer to the bottom of League One than the top, and one supporter says a few arrivals over the last year haven’t lived up to original expectations.
Lewis Fiorini and Freddie Ladapo arrived to The Valley on loan from Manchester City and Ipswich Town, respectively, but neither had the anticipated temporary impact, according to our Charlton fan pundit, Ben Fleming.
However, goalkeeper Harry Isted was determined to be the most underwhelming first-teamer from the 2023-24 season, despite arriving last summer with high expectations.
Isted spent the previous season on loan at Barnsley from Luton Town before joining the Addicks as a free transfer.
Although Ben believes Isted has the potential to be a successful goalkeeper for Charlton, he was anticipating a more consistent campaign to maintain the number one jersey; nonetheless, he believes the ex-Luton player fell significantly short of expectations.
Fleming remarked, “I believe there are a few of obvious candidates. Lewis Fiorini and Freddie Ladapo both joined in January. Both had less of an impact than anticipated.
“But I think the one I’d probably go for, perhaps controversially, is Harry Isted.”
“Look, he’s good and did have the no.1 jersey for much of the season, obviously struggled with injury, but he had a really impressive spell at Barnsley at the end of last season, and it was thought that he was going to come in and really nail down that no.1 jersey and be our set ‘keeper for a number of years, and he hasn’t done that.
“It appears like we’ll be looking for a ‘keeper again in the summer because he didn’t always impress.
“So, I guess in that respect, because he came in with such high praise from Barnsley supporters, I’d have to consider him the unimpressive player.
“I’m hoping that he can come good on his potential next season, but right now I would say he underwhelmed relative to perhaps what the fan base was expecting.”
A season to forget for Harry Isted and Charlton Athletic
Finishing 16th in the third tier is not where Charlton wants to be, and Isted will most likely put the season behind him.
The 27-year-old made just 21 League One games this season as he approaches what should be his peak years, hampered by a combination of injury and selection disappointments.
Isted signed a two-year contract with an option for another year, but as Ben points out, his season in goal appears to have pushed the Addicks back into the market after only a year.
The club has been linked with a move for Cambridge United free agent Will Mannion, implying that they believe an upgrade on Isted is required, despite the fact that he just became first-choice for the U’s near the conclusion of the previous season.
It remains to be known who will start in goal at The Valley next season, but Ben believes Isted’s disappointing performances have cast doubt on the position.
