5 things we learned from Charlton’s double-header against Welling and Greenwich Borough

The Addicks won 3-0 at Welling, before travelling to Greenwich Borough and hitting four past the non-league club.

There were first goals for summer signings Billy Clarke and Mark Marshall, while Addicks outcasts Naby Sarr and Cristian Ceballos featured.

Here are five things we learned…

Ahmed Kashi is indispensable

Every time the Algerian has been on the pitch in a Charlton shirt, he’s looked brilliant. He played for an hour at Welling and controlled the tempo of the game.

Since signing two summers ago, Kashi has only played 13 times for the Addicks due to long-term injuries. And it’s very rare for someone who has had such little game time to be a fans’ favourite. But his talent has shone through in his sporadic appearances for the club.

MORE: Charlton boss on futures of Ceballos and Sarr - and thanks departing player

And after returning to full training and featuring in this summer’s pre-season games, it looks like Kashi has finally put his injury hell behind him. If Charlton can keep him fit for a season, then they’ll have the best defensive midfielder in the league.

Charlton need to sign TWO goalkeepers

Dillon Phillips is Charlton’s only goalkeeper to have played at senior level - and he has turned out just eight times for the club. He impressed while filling in for ex-Charlton loanee Declan Rudd last season, however, the Addicks can’t go into the new campaign with a keeper who has such limited experience.

Robinson has said that Phillips needs game time, so bringing in two senior goalkeepers would allow the 22-year-old to go out on loan and gain some valuable minutes. But the signing of at least one stopper needs to be the number one priority. Rudd arrived just four days before the opening day of last season - and Charlton can’t be in a similar situation in August.

Aaron Barnes looks set to be the next academy player to break into the senior team

Barnes was involved with the first-team towards the latter stages of the 2016/17 campaign, and made his senior debut against Swindon on the last day of the season.

Charlton players celebrate at Greenwich Borough | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

He featured in Charlton’s games in Ireland and impressed at left-back against Greenwich Borough. With Lewis Page crocked for three more months, the Addicks do not have a senior left-back.

Karl Robinson is trying to bring Jay Dasilva back to the Valley after the Chelsea defender enjoyed a successful loan spell last season. If, or when he returns, he’ll need competition, and Barnes could be the right man to rival the England Under-19 star for a starting berth.

The feel-good factor has returned to Charlton

You can tell the mood around the club has changed dramatically from the past few seasons. All the players are getting along, Robinson has more or less sorted out his backroom staff and fans seem optimistic about the upcoming season. Optimistic - a word that hasn't been used too often in SE7 in recent years.

Karl Robinson with some of his backroom staff | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

Charlton’s squad is close to completion

Robinson wants to sign another three of four players to ensure his squad is prepared for a gruelling League One campaign. Under Roland Duchatelet’s ownership, Charlton squads have always been thin - but this season could be different.

The Addicks need a goalkeeper, a left-back, an attacking midfielder and a striker. Once Robinson gets his remaining targets, Charlton will be a force to be reckoned with this season.