Despite losing, Karl Robinson was pleased with the work out his side were given at Limerick on Tuesday evening.
These are some of the boss’ post match thoughts:
“There are so many things that are still not there, but they’re not going to be yet. That’s why we have pre-season, otherwise you would just start the season.
“We’ve got a lot of lead in the legs and a few players had to sit out tonight, but players from the Under-23s have stepped in and done wonderfully well, said Robinson.
Charlton looked even leggier at the UCD Bowl on Wednesday evening, especially in the first-half.
A goal from Ben Hanrahan and a brace from Jason McClelland gave UCD a comfortable 3-0 interval lead.
Both sides made wholesale changes in the second-half, and the Addicks were in the game far more.
Substitute, Rob Manley, added a fourth eight minutes from time, before Karlan Ahearne-Grant netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Robinson included his assistant, Lee Bowyer, on the bench. Had circumstances been different, Robinson intended to bring the 40-year-old on for the last couple of minutes.
It would have been Bowyer’s first appearance for Charlton in 21 years, surely a record?.
Though disappointing, the result will not phase Robinson. His main objective was to get minutes into the players, but the first-half performance will have disappointed him enormously.
Cristian Ceballos looked the pick of the visitors’ players, and the Spaniard will be pleased with his efforts in Ireland.
The Addicks already have a lengthy list of players who are out with minor knocks, and some will feel the high intensity of playing three matches in three days is to blame.
Charlton fly home on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s two games. Robinson will split his squad, half will take part in the game with Wellingn the other half will head to Greenwich Borough. The games will kick-off at 3.00pm and 7.30pm respectively.
Charlton: Phillips; Solly (Barnes 77), Teixeira (Konsa 62), Bauer (Pearce 62), Jackson (Sarr 62); Marshall (Stewart 77), Kashi (Dijkstel 62), Aribo (Crofts 62), Ceballos (Charles-Cook 81); Clarke, Magennis (Watt 54).
Subs (not used): Maynard-Brewer, Bowyer.
Goal: Ahearne-Grant 86.
UCD: Corbet; Tobin, Osam, Scales, Kouogun; Sloggett, O’Connor, Molloy, Hanrahan; Kavanagh, McClelland.
Subs: Coyne, Collins, J Manley, Crowley, McGowan (gk), Ryan, Coughlan, Byrne, Power, Kelly, R Manley.
Goals: Hanrahan 12, McClelland 35, 40, R Manley 82.
Referee: Paul Duin.