A bitterly disappointing display accompanied an equally disappointing result against Huddersfield on Saturday and left Chris Powell unimpressed.
This is what the Charlton Athletic manager had to say about the performance:
“I’m not exactly enamoured with what happened today, I felt we went out with a whimper.
“We were down to ten men at the end obviously, and trying to create chances from nothing, but the only real positive for me today was David Button showing that I’ve got two very good goalkeepers, and I felt it was a poor goal for us to concede, and again it gives us a mountain to climb.
“I’m not happy with the way it’s all panned out. You obviously put in a few players and you want to give them a chance to do well for us and show everyone that they are ready to play a part in our season.
“Also it’s the Cup. I know our record is quite terrible over the years but I really wanted us to be in the fourth round. It’s not a good day.
“I know maybe we didn’t have as many fans as we normally do but still we have got to go out there and perform.
“We know Huddersfield had been on a poor run but really we didn’t get a foothold over the ninety minutes to give ourselves a chance to be in the fourth round,” said Powell.
The manager fielded a much changed team, whereas Huddersfield put out a more-or-less full strength side. Given Charlton’s poor home record – only three wins all season and none on a Saturday since early May – a match with a same division club was always going to be tricky. If the club are serious about the competition, they need to have a re-think about the strength of team they put out or even Saturday’s sparse turn out will drop.
Another headache for Powell was the dismissal of Dorian Dervite for a professional foul. With Leon Cort sidelined with the hamstring injury he picked up at Watford, the manager only has Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison available to play in central defence. Powell may have to dip into the loan market to bring in short term cover ahead of the Blackpool game.
The Addicks are reportedly interested in taking Tottenham winger, Iago Falque, on loan.