Four takeaways from Charlton’s 2-0 defeat at Plymouth – Seven-hour goalless run shows changes needed up top

Charlton’s winless run stretched to four as they were beaten 2-0 at Plymouth Argyle. Here’s Louis Mendez’s four takeaways from the trip to Devon.

SIMILAR FEELING

Another carbon copy of the sort of game Charlton have played over the last few weeks. A promotion hopeful holds the Addicks at arms’ length and does enough to have them beaten without really needing to exert too much pressure.

The first half felt pretty even in terms of territory. Charlton probed but offered nothing more than long-range efforts. Plymouth took a while to start threatening themselves but Ryan Hardie proved a nuisance as he half wore on.

And he turned into a full-blown problem when he opened the scoring immediately after the restart, latching on to Lucas Ness’ clearance and finishing beyond Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Charlton called for reinforcements from the bench and while they had a bit more purpose about them later on, they still lack any serious cutting edge.

Niall Ennis finished them off late on following a counter attack. That’s now no wins in four and just one in six for Dean Holden’s men. Five defeats in eight.

A MOMENT OF MAD-NESS

It was a shame to see one of Charlton’s more consistent defenders make such a blunder at the start of the second half.

Hardie’s closing down seemed to catch the youngster by surprise but he certainly wasn’t helped out by his defensive team-mates, who looked slow when trying to chase the Plymouth forward.

It will certainly be a learning curve for the 21-year-old but hopefully one he will take in his stride.

Holden remarked that the defender had reacted well during the rest of the game and if his fledging career so far is anything to go by, he should be able to deal with the pressure.

KANU DESERVES A CHANCE

It’s now seven hours and 18 minutes since Charlton last planted one in the onion bag. Their last goal was the 12th-minute winner that Corey Blackett-Taylor bagged at Forest Green Rovers on Valentine’s Day.

They look blunt at the moment. Macauley Bonne hasn’t scored in 420 days and offers no threat. Miles Leaburn and Corey Blackett-Taylor have both had their minutes managed, so another set of goal sources aren’t available from the off. Jack Payne has started the last two up top but doesn’t cause enough problems for defences.

The introduction from the bench of Leaburn, Blackett-Taylor and youngster Daniel Kanu did give the Addicks some impetus, even if they didn’t manage a shot on target in the 90 minutes. But the 20-minute spell did offer some hope.

It also showed that Kanu has to be given more minutes for the rest of the campaign. He was a willing runner and had pace to boot. Now is the time to test his mettle ahead of serious first-team involvement next season. His goal return in the academy is incredible – more than 60 in the last 18 months. Let’s see if he’s ready.

NICE REFS

One bonus is that Charlton’s luck with referees seems to be changing. The failure to send off Jes Rak-Sakyi for his left hook in midweek was followed up with the officials somehow missing Michael Hector’s goal-line handball on the stroke of half-time.

If the officials can continue this lenient streak, maybe the South Londoners can start to turn games in their favour? It’s not cheating if you get away with it. Maybe they can even be cheeky and try to force just a second penalty of the campaign. They haven’t won a spot-kick since the Addicks beat Plymouth 5-1 in the reverse fixture at The Valley back in August. That may require someone actually getting in the box, though.

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS