Louis Mendez’s assessment on Charlton Athletic’s start to League One season – Holden sacked and transfer window verdict

Charlton Athletic have had an incident-packed start to the League One season – their poor form costing manager Dean Holden his job. Here LOUIS MENDEZ assesses their opening month of action.

What have you made of Charlton’s start?

Unfortunately it has been thoroughly disappointing. We started off with a win against Orient and then had a couple of matches where it felt like we only lost out on tight margins.

Since then the defensive performances have got more concerning and vulnerability was again underlined in Tuesday’s 4-3 EFL Trophy loss at Crawley. There is a question over whether the transfer business has been good enough to turn that around.

The performance at Oxford was really poor and ended up with Dean getting the sack.

The first half against Fleetwood was also pretty bad but we came back to win.

We could have had a couple more points on the board from some of the home games but Charlton have only got themselves to blame for defensive lapses – it is their own fault that they have not killed off opposition when they have been on top. We give away so many chances that it leaves you susceptible to conceding goals.

Holden’s dismissal was maybe slightly earlier than I expected but there were clearly no improvements to the issues from last season – in terms of our out of possession shape and defensive woes. A change in the hotseat was always on the cards if that wasn’t turned around quickly.

Who has been the standout performer?

Alfie May. It’s taken him a couple of games to get up and running but he has shown that bit of killer instinct. He didn’t get many chances at Oxford but took one and he could’ve had a hat-trick in the Fleetwood fixture. The first of his two goals on Saturday was a nice finish.

What has been the best performance?

The 1-0 opening day win over Leyton Orient. We created a few chances and it was the most we have restricted the opposition, albeit they had absentees up top.

What has been the worst performance?

Probably the 2-1 loss at Oxford. Holden fielded a really young team and a formation that just wasn’t working at all. He had to change it and the second half was a little bit better. We should’ve taken more from the Port Vale game, which we lost 3-2. We have an uncanny ability to shoot ourselves in the foot, even when a game has been reasonably even.

Which transfer window signing are you most excited about?

Panutche Camara’s loan signing from Ipswich was well-received but he has been missing for a while now with injury. So I’d have to go for May. He is a known quantity, having been so prolific for Cheltenham Town for a number of seasons. All of our other signings have got to prove themselves.

Is there a position that you feel hasn’t been adequately covered?

Centre-back. Lloyd Jones is a new addition after letting his deal at Cambridge expire. Michael Hector, Terell Thomas and Lucas Ness have all had difficult starts to the season.

A lot of the players in that area were here last season and we conceded too many goals.

We’ve also brought in James Abankwah on loan from Udinese but at just 19 the Republic of Ireland U21 international lacks experience.

Which area of the team gives you confidence?

The frontline. Especially now Miles Leaburn is back from the ankle injury he suffered in a pre-season friendly at Welling. Miles and May can work well in a front two.

When Leaburn came on against Fleetwood he made a difference.

Which area of the team do you think could be a weakness?

Set-plays. We’re one of five teams yet to score from a set-piece and our xG (expected goals) from them is second lowest (0.68). Lincoln have 0.66 but have scored. Portsmouth have highest with 3.85 and have scored from three, while four teams have scored four from set pieces.

Charlton are second highest for set-piece Xg against (2.97) with Peterborough on 3.5. Charlton have only conceded two from set-pieces while Orient have conceded five.