It's not over until the fat lady sings

So they say, but Charlton made the task of staying in the Championship by losing 1-2 at home to Barnsley in front of a crowd of 16,320. We have another chance to redeem ourselves against Bolton on Friday, but I am not holding my breath, as we have strikers that can't score and defenders that are prone to lapses of concentration that give the opposition the chance to score. As the BBC put it, 'The home side were dominant, but struggled again in front of goal.' Possession was 54-46 in our favour, but two of our seventeen (that many?) shots were on target, whereas for Barnsley four were on target out of nine attempts.

I must say that I was a bit worried when I heard the team selection. I would have played Wilson in front of Solly. Although Wood is competent, I would have retained Morrison who can help us to defend from set pieces and can be a nuisance to the opposition when we have them. However, I have been told that he had illness problems. Reza has his limitations, but I would have preferred him to Sordell up front.

I thought that the first half was even, although Barnsley started to edge it a bit before their goal. Shortly beforehand Harriott had fluffed a great chance to score. Barnsley then advanced through a series of throw ins, won a corner and scored from it. Only once this season have we come back to win when we have gone behind.

We started the second half in storming fashion as we searched for the equaliser, but poor communication between Dervite and Hamer gifted Barnsley a throw near the corner flag. From there they scored what looked an impossible shot which went in off the corner of the bar and the post.

The game was then effectively lost with Astrid scoring a late consolation, but not enough time or opportunity to make it 2-2. By this time we were down to ten men, having used all our substitutes and Rhoys Wiggins have been helped off. The word is that it is a broken bone in his foot, another blow, as he has been one of our better players.

Ivy the Terrible has awarded the Silver Bone to Jordan Cousins who had an excellent game and did try to get through on goal and put in a shot. He was unlucky not to win a foul late on. Hamer set up the chance for the second goal by dithering and then let the ball sail over his head, although admittedly it is difficult to defend a cross that turns into a fluke goal. Otherwise, he didn't have much to do. Dervite was involved in the mix up that led to the first goal. Wood was competent. Wiggins was one of our better players, his injury is a big blow. Solly looked as if he had never been away. Jackson worked hard, but his effort on goal did not succeed. Harriott had a great chance to score, but put the header wide. Some of his other contributions were poor and he was eventually substituted. To be fair to him, he can't play on the right and looked better on the left in the second half. Poyet was serenaded by the Covered End when he walked past them after his substitution. Once again signs of real class, although the odd error which reflects inexperience. Sordell once again showed that he is not much of a striker, he gets into good positions, but isn't decisive or quick enough. Obika has pace, but he needs to do more with what he creates. Reza showed some nice touches and it was his shot that rebounded for Astrid to score. However, he isn't physical enough to cope with a team like Barnsley. Even so, I would have preferred him to start rather than Sordell. Wilson added something when he came on. It would have been good to see Ajdarevic from the start, but he is not well enough. He took his goal well.

Rescue Cat Reg agrees that we can't blame the referee for our own failings, but he was inclined to not award a foul in Charlton's favour and then give a free kick a minute later to Barnsley for a similar offence. He also created an opportunity for Barnsley by playing the ball, but at least had the decency to blow up for a free kick from the resulting corner. Nevertheless, the Hiss of the Match goes to Iain Williamson. A supplementary one for the drunk who woke me on the train to say 'Up the Addicks.'