Defeat at Derby

The stats quoted before the game by Richard Cawley suggested that defeat at Derby was more or less inevitable, but it is still unpleasant when it happens. A Lyle Taylor penalty made for a respectable 2-1 home win by the 10 men of Derby County.

Former Addick Krystian Bielik was sent off for a reckless studs up and high tackle on Conor Gallagher, but the home fans then relentlessly booed the youngster because he had failed to break his ankle or leg. He finally got a yellow card, meaning that another two will lead to a two game suspension. The same goes for Darren Pratley.

Richard Cawley said that this was a 'desperately poor Charlton performance'. By the end of the game there were five Academy graduates on the pitch which could be seen as a badge of pride or a mark of inadequacy.

Derby went ahead after 10 minutes. Phillips made the initial save, but the ball was nodded in at the far post.

Bonne had problems with his hamstring after 35 minutes and was replaced by Taylor at half time. Louis Mendez summed up the first half performance as 'very lethargic from the Addicks'. Social media critics focused on Sarr as the scapegoat player of the moment.

In the second half Charlton struggled to fashion chances and Knight had plenty of room to score the second goal for Derby.

The penalty came after Curtis Davies felled Gallagher in the area. Charlton came alive in the last 10 minutes. Derby were then indebted to a great double save by goalkeeper Ben Hamer from Ben Dempsey and Taylor.

Charlton are now 19th, seven points above the drop zone, but it should be remembered that the objective this year is to survive.

However, none of the injured players will be back for Swansea/Abertawe with Bonne now ruled out as well with his hamstring.

Richard Cawley of the SLP tweeted, 'This takeover needs to happen soon. Or actually get the likes of Williams and Oztumer back. Charlton running on fumes tonight.'

More than usually shell shocked supremo Lee Bowyer told BBC London: 'W were poor, from start to finish. We got out-battled, outfought. We were second to all the second balls. We got what we deserved - nothing.' I's a low point, but there will be higher ones.'

As for the takeover, the EFL will ratify if and when they are ready. They are a trade association running a competition for their member clubs with just 75 staff. They are also under political pressure to be more stringent, not that I think they had any grounds under their test to rule out Roland's takeover.