Exclusive: Russell Slade - Players who do not buy into this club won’t last long

Since his arrival the Addicks boss has frequently stressed that incoming players must have the right character as well as the necessary ability.

He has signed Nicky Ajose, Lee Novak, Ricky Holmes, Andrew Crofts, Declan Rudd, Jason Pearce and Kevin Foley – players Slade believes will be the “right fit” for Charlton.

Over the past few years supporters have been critical of signings who have not appeared to buy into the club’s culture, but Slade does not believe this will be an issue now.

He told News Shopper: “I think the fans are absolutely right. I don’t want a group who doesn’t do that.

“The fans need a manager who’s buying into it – I’m buying into it 100 per cent. There won’t be even one per cent of me that won’t buy into it so I expect exactly the same from my players.

“That applies to the guys who were already here and the players we have signed.

“If you stand still in this game you get run over. And those players who don’t get on board will either drift away or get run over.”

Despite Slade bringing in seven players, a host of first-team regulars have left the Valley leaving Charlton’s squad light ahead of their season opener at Bury on Saturday.

But despite the shortcomings, Slade has refused to bend his philosophy and has even dismissed several possible signings in recent weeks.

“We’re thin on the ground in terms of personnel – one or two have taken a bit longer than we anticipated which can happen,” the 55-year-old continued.

“But we’ve stuck to our guns. There’s been players coming in from everywhere in Europe and England and people have said ‘take this player; take this one’.

“Well we’ve said no unless they are the right fit so we’re dismissing it.

“We’ve been picky – even if it takes that little bit longer.”

Slade’s insistence on getting the right type of player in has ruled out moves for several potential targets.

But have players themselves been reluctant to join the South Londoners given the recent unrest and chaos in SE7?

“I don’t think so,” Slade said. “I still think players see Charlton as a huge club, a very traditional club.

“A club that can do well in this league for sure and the league above. I think players are seeing that there is a difference here now and that there is a difference in philosophy going forward.”

After a disastrous year which culminated in relegation from the Championship, Charlton turned to Slade to steady the ship in June.

The manager has an impressive CV, having inspired a miraculous escape to save Brighton from relegation in 2009 and taking Leyton Orient and Yeovil Town to play-off finals.

And Slade says securing promotion at Charlton, given where the club was when he took over, would be one of his finest managerial achievements.

“Of course it would be, and that’s exactly what I want to achieve and I feel we can do that,” he said.

“We all want to get off to a good start but we’re having to be patient with building the football club at the minute.

“We don’t want to make mistakes – we want to get this right.

“Nobody is writing anything off. I still think we can be right up there but we do need these players in before the end of the window.

“I think that’s key. The recruitment side now is key before the window shuts.”

Slade insists he is working tirelessly alongside chief scout Steve Head and chief executive Katrien Meire to land further deals.

When asked about CEO Meire, the manager said: “She couldn’t work any harder really. Her dialogue and communication is first-class.

“Nobody wants to get these key signings over the line more than Katrien.”

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