Another dreadful afternoon at The Valley, with Charlton suffering a second home defeat in three matches. A Calvin Andrew goal was enough to send Rochdale home with all three points. The Addicks even squandered a penalty.
Chris Solly was ruled out through injury, Jason Pearce came in for Ezri Konsa who dropped to the bench, and Ademola Lookman replaced Lee Novak in the starting line-up, with Kevin Foley dropping back to replace Solly.
Russell Slade tried another shape, this time he used a 4-2-3-1 formation. Unfortunately the players did not look comfortable with it , and Charlton again looked disjointed.
Andrew won the game for Dale after 25 minutes. A deflected Joe Bunney cross presented the big striker with the simplest of headers to put his side ahead.
The visitors were rarely troubled, and the only
real saves Josh Lillis had to make were from a Johnnie Jackson penalty, three minutes after the interval, and a Morgan Fox drive, ten minutes from time.
Ricky Holmes was bundled over as he burst into the box three minutes after the restart. Surprisingly, it was Jackson rather than Holmes who took the spot-kick. The skipper’s poorly struck effort was turned onto the post by Lillis, and Magennis’ follow up effort was blocked.
With the crowd baying for 4-4-2, and chanting Nicky Ajose’s name, Slade introduced the diminutive striker just past the hour mark.
They huffed and puffed, but the Addicks never really looked like breaching Dale’s back line, Fox’s drive being the closest they came.
Slade will have two weeks to reflect on the last two performances, before Coventry , visit The Valley for the next League One fixture.
For all his hard work and attention to detail, Slade’s team are playing without confidence.
Against Rochdale they lacked the guile and pace to break down a dogged but functional defence.
Given the players at his disposal, the last two performances have fallen a long way short of the mark.
Charlton: Rudd; Foley, Bauer, Pearce, Fox; Crofts (Ajose 64), Ulvestad; Holmes (Botaka 80), Jackson, Lookman; Magennis (Novak 71).
Subs (not used): Phillips, Konsa, Lennon, Chicksen.
Booked: Pearce 90 (foul).
Rochdale: Lillis; Rafferty, Keane, Canavan, Bunney; Thompson (Magahey 90), Lund, Camps, Allen (McDermott 56); Davies (Odelusi 84), Andrew.
Subs (not used): Logan, Rathbone, Noble-Lazarus, Morley.
Goal: Andrew 25.
Booked: Lund 39 (foul).
Referee: Rob Jones (Merseyside).
Attn: 14,460 (415 Rochdale).
TAGS: Charlton Athletic