Four takeaways from Charlton’s 2-1 loss at Oxford United: Organisation and game management under scrutiny after fifth defeat on the spin

Charlton are still winless since the opening day of the campaign after slipping to a late defeat at Oxford United. Here’s Louis Mendez’s four takeaways from the Kassam Stadium.

FIVE DEFEATS ON THE SPIN

It’s now five reverses in succession in league and cup. No bones about it, this is a crisis. Like every game so far, Charlton had their moments. Nathan Asiimwe stung the palms of former Addicks prospect James Beadle early on, with Alfie May unlucky after his shot appeared to be handled.

But Charlton’s soft underbelly was exposed once more as Tyler Goodrham breezed through the Addicks’ half and rasped an effort home via the underside of the bar on ten minutes. The next 35 weren’t pretty. Oxford dominated and should have extended their lead. Holden’s hand was forced and he chucked Chem Campbell into the fray before the break – a move that coincided with a change in shape. Two further changes were made at the interval.

The South Londoners were better after the break and found a leveller through Alfie May on 63 minutes. That had the potential to be a catalyst for a push for a winner which never quite came. And to top it off, Holden’s side were picked off late on as Goodrham polished off a counter attack that stemmed from a Charlton throw that saw almost every visiting player push forward with five minutes left.

A third consecutive late defeat for the Addicks. A fifth defeat of any kind in a row. Charlton’s equal-worst league start in 33 years. At least Iain Dowie’s three points after five games came in the Premier League. This is the third tier.

TACTICS AND GAME MANAGEMENT

A clear week on the training ground after the defeat against Port Vale at The Valley last weekend doesn’t seem to have been particularly fruitful. Charlton looked anything but well-drilled during that first half.

Oxford carved the Addicks open too easily and too often in the first period. Holden admitted his side were looking ragged after the opening goal. It’s concerning that the Addicks had a week to construct a gameplan, but the Charlton boss had to tear it up and start again before the break. There was a week to pinpoint Oxford’s strengths and weaknesses and find a way to counter them, but it didn’t work.

Charlton were better after the interval but the manner of which they conceded late on also demonstrated a failure to manage the game properly. Taking a well-earned point home after a better second half showing could have been a springboard. Instead, the South Londoners were caught unnecessarily high up the pitch late on and picked off – for the third game in succession the Addicks let in late winner. These critical moments in games must be managed and that starts in the technical area. Issues for Holden to think about.

STATE OF THE SQUAD

The Addicks’ starting line-up at Oxford had an average age of under 24. Five of those who began the game at the Kassam Stadium were aged 21 or under.

Charlton’s overreliance on youth only serves to highlight the state of the squad that Charlie Methven’s consortium have assembled since arriving in SE7. There are still a few days of the window to go but these four League One defeats on the spin have been costly. The holes in the Addicks’ roster have been known all summer. Any pre-season optimism has been extinguished and it’s already an uphill task to turn the mood around.

Injuries have played a part. Whilst some of the younger players are forced in due to lack of other options Dean Holden’s choices at the back do make you question how much he rates his senior defenders. Deji Elerewe and Lucas Ness were picked ahead of Michael Hector and Terell Thomas yesterday. The duo both signed new deals in summer but aren’t trusted to start games.

Charlton’s defence let them down last season and already there’s questions marks over it this year. The jury is still out on new arrival Lloyd Jones but he’s the only centre-half that Holden has started each game so far. The constant chopping and changing at the back doesn’t help and it hasn’t produced an answer to Charlton’s defensive woes either. But is there enough quality available in the backline?

CAMPBELLS AND ALFIE MAY

It doesn’t feel like it right now but there have been positives to take from each of Charlton’s five league games this season – but they clearly haven’t been enough. Holden will certainly want to focus on those. Alfie May was always going to start scoring and he now has two in two following a smart finish midway through the second period.

Chem Campbell’s debut may have started earlier than he expected, having been brought on as a first half substitute, but he had a bit of an impact. Hopefully his persistence that led to the assist for May’s strike is a sign of things to come. He played in the 10 role behind May so we may see even more from him if he gets a chance to try and produce from out wide.

It was great to see Tyreece Campbell back from injury. He carries a real threat and will hopefully reduce the burden on Corey Blackett-Taylor. Injuries have played a part in some of the disappointment at the start of this campaign and the sooner they clear up, the better.

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS