Post match: Charlton 1-1 Northampton

Poor first half, need to see it again but at the time it also seemed a poor goal to concede. Far too many long balls, as expected the midfield wasn't good enough. Hoped we would make a change at half time and was disappointed that we didn't.

Second half a lot better but should have gone on to win the game. We had a lot of the ball and never really look like conceding for a second time. Defensively we weren't tested too much.

Konsa is promising, decent on the ball and seems to read the game well. May find it difficult against big strong strikers though in terms of winning headers and being physically strong enough to handle them. Think he's still 18 so has plenty of time to improve. Would love to hold on him for at least 2/3 seasons but under RD and KM I don't expect we will.

Pearce looks the typical solid CB, but not much to go on.

Fox was frustrating, poor crosses and playing a lot of long balls. Doesn't offer the pace and dribbling ability that we need when Jackson plays on the left (but I hope that stops after today).

I wasn't quite as impressed with Holmes as others. Positives he looks comfortable on the ball, not afraid to shoot with either foot, runs at players and wins free kicks. There were times when I expected/hoped he'd release the ball and he ended up running into trouble and lost it. Perhaps as some have said he was trying too hard against his old club.

Foley was clearly the more defensive of the CMs. Kept things simple, didn't do much wrong but offered nothing going forward. Could be a useful squad player but if we bring in a CM as Slade has talked about I can't see him being first choice.

Crofts I thought showed he could do well for us. Some (mainly across social media) seem to have already decided Crofts and Foley are too old, too slow and not good enough. Crofts got forward at times, wasn't afraid to put a tackle in and tried to create chances with some of his passes (although they didn't always come off). Nearly scored with a decent effort that went just wide. You don't play in good Norwich and Brighton teams in the Prem and Championship without being a good player. Wouldn't be surprised if opinions on him change as the season goes on.

Typical Jackson scoring right after the annual "legs have gone" thread pops up. Shouldn't need to be said but yes he still has something to offer on the playing side.

Ajose didn't get in the game at all in the first half. Barely touched the ball. Magennis was how he had been described, physical, hard working though not the most technical player. Should be a nuisance at the very least. We shouldn't just use him as a target for long balls to his head, he'll win his fair share but I doubt that's the way the get the best out of him. Has a long throw although m with him being the big striker we don't have too many to aim for.

Lookman did well when he came on. Like Holmes he ran into trouble at times, trying to do too much.

Botaka struggled, tried to take players on but it didn't come off, gave the ball away with a few poor passes. The concern for me is we won't bring in another wide option to go with Botaka, Holmes and Lookman. If two end up starting games and one is injured we won't an attacking wide player on the bench.

On the tactics I thought there was a switch at half time. Instead of Magennis dropping deep and Ajose pushing up they switched roles. Ajose probably has a better touch and close control - dropping deeper worked and it got him more involved in the game. He had a few decent efforts and should score goals if he gets the service in the box. He looked similar to BWP on YouTube and you could see that in his game today.

Magennis is a lot bigger and more powerful, pushing higher up gave the CBs more to worry about compared to Ajose in the first half. Slade must have also said something about all the long balls and lack of tempo/attacking intent as there was a clear improvement.

Potentially a good League One team there but I'm not sure there's enough for the automatic spots. And of course this time last year Makienok looked very usefu and there was more to come from Bergdich, Sarr and Ba. Kashi and Bauer looked quality, Ceballos was hyped up and we soon added to it with McAleny. At least with the recent additions we should be nowhere near another relegation battle.

What I don't think we have is a real stand out and reliable attacking player. Obviously we have Lookman but being the type of player he is, and his age, things won't always come off for him. After a good start in 2011/12 we signed Kermorgant and he changed us from a promotion challenger to title winners. Being optimistic I hope the midfielder Slade is after is capable of a similar impact. A good box to box, goalscoring central midfielder should make a huge difference.