The two new strikers look set to form the new look attack for Saturday’s trip to Bristol Rovers. We take a look at their careers so far.
Chris Dickson signed for his current team, Charlton Athletic, in March 2007 after he caught the eye of Alan Pardew in the non-leagues. It was 31 goals in 35 games for Dulwich Hamlet FC that earnt Dickson his move to the then Premiership side. Charlton paid £35,000 for the 23 year old, a fee that could rise to £50,000.
Dickson made an immediate impact upon his arrival at the Addicks, scoring four goals against a Portsmouth reserve side in one of his first games in a Charlton shirt.
He went on to have a successful pre-season, alongside Luke Varney. He made his first team Charlton debut on Tuesday evening in the Carling Cup first round tie against Swindon.
He’s described as having bags of pace and, obviously, an eye for a goal. Crewe have shook off firm interest from Gillingham and Millwall for Dickson’s signature, but it could be a risky move. Despite being recommended by both Alan Pardew (Charlton manager) and Luke Varney it remains to be seen if Dickson can yet make the step up.
He will be making a move that took Luke Varney three years to completely master after his £75,000 move from Quorn in 2003. You also feel that with Crewe’s reputation for bringing these non-league stars on, are Charlton getting more out of it than we will?
On to Lee Barnard. Lee Barnard is the Spurs youngster that has taken two months to bring in on a six month loan. After many rejections and false starts in the deal, Steve Holland will be relieved to have finally got his man.
Barnard is a Spurs academy graduate having joined the ranks as a youngsters. Very highly rated, but at 23 doesn’t look like making the grade at White Hart Lane.
In his years as a professional he’s had loan spells at Exeter, Stevenage, Leyton Orient and most recently Northampton. Whilst he’s only managed one goal in 11 loan appearances, his last loan spell was two seasons ago (with Northampton).
Last season Barnard was out for most of the season with a cruel ankle injury after it looked like he could break into the Spurs squad. Towards the end of last season he made three sub appearances for Spurs, against Man Utd, Bolton and West Ham but failed to score in the tough games.
His pre-season this summer went well as he scored a hat full of goals. Most notably a brace against Rushden & Diamonds, one described as a 18 yard ‘chest and volley on the turn’.
Barnard has the talent and ability to make it big in the lower leagues, and his loan spells can be ignored due to the shortness of them.
He’s a player who sounds very much like Varney and with Dickson we could have Varney & Maynard mk 2.
With Barnard seemingly out of the picture at Tottenham, a successful loan spell at Gresty Road could lead him to a permanent move if both parties agree.
