‎Charlton put up a creditable performance against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, but ultimately the Eagles’ class told. 

Bowyer gave his starting XI an hour, before changing the whole team. Again, the team that played for the last 30 minutes concede three goals.
A Jordan Ayew brace (63 and 66 minutes) followed by a solo effort from Wilfred Zaha two minutes from time did the damage.

Alex Gilbey pulled out just before kick-off with a slight groin problem.
Bowyer gave former Brentford right-back Josh Clarke another run out, and ex-Swansea striker, Courtney Baker-Richardson, played for the last 30 minutes. Young defenders, Lucas Ness and Kasim Aidoo were also among the 30 minute team.

Though clearly second best, the Addicks did create the odd good chance. Erhun Oztumer played Jonny Williams in after 65 minutes, but the Welshman fluffed his chance. And Baker-Richardson should have done better with the follow up.

Three minutes from time Oztumer put Josh Davison ithrough, but the young striker delayed his shot too long.

Dillon Phillips may also feel he could have done better with Palace’s second goal.

These are Bowyer’s post match thoughts: “The first hour, I thought we were good, we were quite solid, moved the ball well and got in the right areas, but we just lacked a bit of quality in the final third.

“From back to front, we did well against a good Palace side, but we didn’t really have a shot in that first hour, other than Alfie Doughty’s effort.

“We got into so many good positions, but it’s just that final bit. We’ve been working on moving it from back to front and that’s new for us, but it’s working, we just need to get in that final bit of quality and keep working hard.

“Hopefully, next week things will change and we’ll bring in a few more.”

Thomas Sandgaard was in the stands, and Bowyer dropped a big hint that the Dane could complete the takeover of the club early next week:

“From what I understand, Tuesday will be a big day and next week will be a big week. Hopefully, things go our way. Something has to change because, at the minute, it’s not pleasant.

“We’ve got five or six that we can get through the door if things are sorted,” said the manager, who then added that Tom Lockyer was leaving the club.

Lockyer’s departure frees up a spot in Bowyer squad which is likely to be filled by Adam Matthews:

“Tom came to me yesterday as said that Luton have offered him a three-year contract so that’s where he’s going.

“I’m not surprised that someone has tried to take him. He did well for us last year and he wants to stay in and around the Wales squad with the Euros coming up next summer.

“The only thing that’s surprised me is that it’s taken this long for someone to try and take him. “It means that we can now bring someone in. We need to strengthen the right-back position as well, so we will look to bring in Adam Matthews.”

The Addicks play their first competitive game of the new season on Tuesday when they meet AFC Wimbledon in an EFL Trophy game at Loftus Road.

Charlton (first hour): ‎Amos; Matthews, Oshilaja, Pratley, Purrington; Forster-Caskey, Lapslie, Vennings; Doughty, Washington, Bonne.

Charlton (from 61th minute): Phillips; Clarke, Mingi, Ness, Aidee; Dempsey, Morgan, Oztumer, Williams; Davison, Baker-Richardson.‎

Booked: Pratley 33 (foul on Ayew)‎.