POST-MATCH THREAD: Stoke City V Charlton Athletic: Tuesday 25th November 2025: KO 19:45

Worringly, this game was a write-off even quicker than Saturday in terms of scoreline.

As I wrote in the match thread, it's the nature of these defeats that concerns me the most. We had started to look leggy in those 2/3 game weeks before, but we kept things competitive. Southampton and Stoke, in terms of playing squads are clearly better than us, but the never-say-die fight-for-every-ball mindset has just disappeared. Mistakes are happening across the midfield and back line, and we simply can't get into games from in an attacking sense because we are leaking goals and not keeping it tight as we once did. 

Jonesball is keep it tight to a 0-0 at half time and then try to nick a goal second half / late on. It's the basic mindset that is assumed for every game. Every team needs to know they are in a game, and we all need to perform. With injuries creeping in as they always will, we haven't got the depth in several areas to deal with that. Unlike L1, we can't even risk our Academy players to help bail us out either. Is recruitment to blame? Perhaps, but when more of those XIs that started the season are fit, it isn't as much of an issue. We spent a decent amount to bring in what we did - but it's not like Championship-experienced, quality defenders could have been added on the cheap? I still suspect LJones is playing through injury and we're feeling it.

Certain players are not above blame here. Whilst feeling like the errors had largely been put aside, Gillesphey's lack of pace at this level means he is going to be targeted. He can't deal with people running at him. In a 3 or a 4, he's just really struggling. I just fear that, against the better sides, he's an obvious weakness. Similarly, the glaring lack of Docherty's ability on the ball in tight spaces means he gets overrun in midfield. He's simply not good enough with the ball to warrant his place in the team. For all he brings as a man and a leader, he's another not good enough for the level. These are the two that are being carried right now, and it's too heavy of a weight for the other players to take the burden. Gillesphey makes us too fragile and a target at the back, and we can't transition enough in midfield to attack because Docherty isn't effective with the ball.

Unlike many, I'm not one to rag as much on the younger, attacking players - TC, Leaburn, Apter. It needs to be remembered that this is still like their 4th month at the level and they are hamstrung by the performances of the senior players behind them. They are playing against well-drilled, smarter, quicker defenders that have played at the level and above. They are still learning, they are still raw and they are learning the hard way. They will still make mistakes, mis-control the ball and have reduced end product. However, they are still the best we have - TC, in particular, is CONSTANTLY flagged by away fans as our most threatening player and Leaburn often has a thankless target man role.

I've got my ticket for Coventry. I'll go, I'll support, I'll sing. It is tough because of the injuries and certain players not being up to the level / getting to grips with it. We've got points banked, but somehow, we just need to get through to January and get some players in. There's no magic formula - we just need to defend better to give ourselves a chance. If we can get something resembling a performance and not another capitulation vs Coventry, I'd take that. The result matters less than trying to take something positive from the game that we can be proud of, because we're all expecting us to get battered.

You'd bet your house on Coventry winning on Saturday... but you know what the most Charlton thing to happen would be...

We can still do this and be OK this season.