Charlton boss Chris Powell was more than pleased after Saturday’s comfortable victory over Carlisle.

After the reverse at Stevenage, Powell reverted to his familiar back four but had to make an enforced change in midfield. Dale Stephens’ partner gave birth late on Friday and Stephens was unavailable for the game. Andy Hughes came in and, after a few initial poor first touches, had a stormer. Hughes’ inclusion allowed Danny Hillands to play in a more advanced role.

Everything worked out how the manager would have wanted, here’s what he had to say:

“It pleased me how emphatic we were and how clinical we were in the first half – and the clean sheet.

“I really wanted that clean sheet and in the end we deserved it really because we’ve recently had two deflected goals and two penalties against us and I was thinking ‘here we go again with another penalty’.

“Ben deserved that save though, and I’m very pleased with a 4-0 home win against a side that have been particularly good away from home.

“I’m very pleased and have just said to the boys how professional they were. They took their chances and were very clinical and that’s pleasing to see, especially at home,” said Chris.

As well as the penalty save, Hamer now has an assist to his name. His long clearance finding Bradley Wright-Phillips who scored the second goal.

Powell continued, “The modern day goalkeeper and the way they kick it, I suppose it’s the continental style.

“Ben’s one of the best I’ve ever seen and I’ve been in the game a long time but he’s very, very good at it. He’s very accurate.

“We now know we can counter-attack (from Hamer). Its part of any good team and what I like is Brad never gave it up. He could have easily given it up and he had a lot to do, but finished it in style.

“So I’m pleased with Ben as obviously he is settling in as well. We know about the amount of players I’ve brought in but I think over time they will get used to their surroundings, and get used to each other.

“That was a quality bit of play from Ben and Brad as well.”

The manager was not only pleased with bouncing back from the disappointment of the Stevenage defeat but also with the attitude the players showed when they reported for training last Monday:

“Losing our unbeaten run last week was disappointing for everyone. No one likes to lose but I suppose people will say it is always going to happen.

“I say to them lets go for three points every game. It was a tough game and we still could have got something from it but I’ve got to say from Monday, after showing them the video and the good and bad points which I always do when we have a debrief, I sensed that everyone had moved on and were looking forward to Carlisle at home and Wycombe and Hartlepool away.

“We’ve had a real focus this week, we’ve trained really well and I knew they were ready for today. They were emphatic, every player was on their game and even when Carlisle had one or two opportunities we still had people throwing their bodies in the way.

“We passed it better and that was one thing I just said to them, because Yann’s come in and made a difference and, aerially he’s very strong, I didn’t want us to shy away from what we are good at.

“He’s good with his feet but it’s an extra bonus that he’s strong in the air. I felt we got back to what we do best today,” concluded Chris.

Tomorrow’s game at Wycombe will be another test against a side who will play a more robust game and it will be an opportunity to see if the Addicks can now cope better with the more physical teams.