Curbishley hungry for more success

Curbishley is not happy with his achievements so far

BBC Sport Online predicts another decent season for Charlton.

Despite the success of last season, Charlton are sure to be tipped by many for the drop again this year.

But while Alan Curbishley's first priority will be to make sure the club maintain their Premiership status, he is hoping for a great deal more.

Curbishley led the Addicks to ninth last year, their highest position since 1953, and the highly-rated 43-year-old is optimistic they can improve.

"We now have a very talented squad of players and there is money to spend strengthening it," Curbishley says.

I still think we under-achieved in what we can do

Alan Curbishley

"The club has made sustained progress in recent seasons and I am very confident that will continue.

"Capacity at The Valley is also rising and the income from that will enable us to be more competitive in the transfer market.

"We have a real opportunity to establish Charlton as a strong Premiership club."

Charlton are increasing their capacity with a new North Stand development and it is a sign of the ambitions of the club that Curbishley reportedly turned down the overtures of former club West Ham who were looking for a replacement for Harry Redknapp.

Away form the key

If the Addicks are to improve, Curbishley sees the team's form on the road as the crucial area to work on.

"We have been overshadowed a little bit by Ipswich but I still think we under-achieved in what we can do and it's the away form that let us down.

  Summer transfers

IN

Jason Euell (Wimbledon, £4.75m)

Shaun Bartlett (FC Zurich, £2m)

Luke Young (Tottenham, £3m)

Gavin Peacock (QPR, loan)

OUT

Anthony Allman (Colchester, free)

Tony Caig (Hibernian, free)

Shaun Newton (Wolves, £850,000

"We won three away games but if we had won five look where we would have been," he says.

And given that Charlton suffered injuries to the players that form the backbone of the side - top scorer Jonatan Johansson, captain Mark Kinsella and goalkeeper Dean Kiely - their exploits are even more impressive.

The strength in depth of Curbishley's team was certainly a surprise, but his business dealings last summer were inspired.

The £7.75m spent on luring Danish playmaker Claus Jensen, 24, and Johansson, 25, from Bolton and Rangers respectively proved real value for money.

This summer Jason Euell has joined from Wimbledon for £4.75m, Shaun Bartlett has made his move from FC Zurich permanent in a £2m deal, Luke Young has signed from Spurs for £3m and Gavin Peacock has come on loan.

If these signings prove as astute as those of Jensen and Johansson then Charlton may indeed improve on last year.