Charlton Athletic Online

I did listen to tonight’s game on Radio London – thankfully reception here is so much better than on Radio Kent, which is barely audible.

Pardew (left, in happier times) rung the changes following Saturday’s debacle, bringing back Ben Thatcher, Jerome Thomas, Jose Semedo, and starting Andy Gray, with Zheng Zhi, Kelly Youga, Luke Varney and the injured Lloyd Sam making way.

After riding out a tough first ten minutes, Charlton took control but first half efforts from Lita and Ambrose didn’t trouble the scorers.

Early in the second half, Elliott scored a “wonder-goal” after being fed following a quick throw in. Thomas caused some problems, but couldn’t get decent strikes on target.

Mat Holland seemed to revel in the wet and windy conditions, taking plenty of pot shots which went close, and he does seem to be one player still trying desperately to drag Charlton back to the Premiership.

Gray and Ambrose were sacrificed for Varney and Chris Iwelumo, and big Chris almost scored with his first touch, but headed over. Later, ZiZi came on for Semedo.

Halford saw an effort deflected over, and Varney then headed over from close in; Charlton just could not break through despite a lot of pressure. At least the team played better than on Saturday albeit with the same result...

Other results saw Charlton amazingly stay 5th in the table (with Plymouth, Ipswich, and Wolves all losing too), though Hull are level on points with two games in hand – the position, going in to an away game at Ipswich and home games to West Brom and Wolves looks bleak.

I am very depressed.