MANAGER Alan Curbishley has spoken for the first time of his deep frustration at failing to sign the three players he believes can make a difference to Charlton’s season.

With supporters responding at the turnstiles to send season ticket sales soaring to near record levels in anticipation of more signings to follow Dennis Rommedahl, Bryan Hughes, Stephan Andersen and Talal El Karkouri, Curbishley confessed the club were desperate to do some business.

He said: “We are trying to bring in players who will make a difference, we are trying to bring in players whom supporters will go out and buy their shirt. That’s not the sole reason but we have gone for some names.

"The thing is that other clubs have gone for them as well. There are three players who are now with other clubs in the Premiership. We were in there but could not win the day. We have to accept that we’re not going to win should we go head to head with certain clubs over players. And I’m talking about wages.

“But we’re desperate, desperate to do some business before the season kicks off. I want two, if not three. If we can’t do it before Bolton, then I hope it will be before August 31 when the transfer window closes.”

Asked if his batteries were re-charged after another short close-season, he confessed: “I’m just frustrated at the moment in lots of ways. I want to round the squad off, which is the big thing, because I need the enthusiasm of working with new players coming in.

“If you look at our history, we normally get our business done well before we’ve even started training. Now we’ve four weeks to go before deadline and we haven ‘t got the players in that I want.

“We’ll get players in. It’s all a question of whether they are the first or the second target. I would like to think that something’s got to give this week on one or two things.”

Meanwhile, Charlton newcomer Dennis Rommedahl disclosed why his close friend Mateja Kezman opted for Chelsea instead of Charlton, who were close to signing him.

“I’m not disappointed that Kezman chose Chelsea. He went to Chelsea because he had a dream of playing for one of the top clubs in Europe. Charlton are a good club but Chelsea are really one of the top clubs in England.”