Dartford 1 v Charlton Athletic 2

Another game of two elevens and thankfully we had a stronger team out in the second-half although neither eleven included a striker.

The starting eleven matched Dartford and Harry Isted prevented the Darts from going in one up at the break. Jaiyesimi and Campbell were nominally the first-half strikers and Kirk and Kanu similarly in the second period. None of them did anything. Jaiyesimi and Kirk are beyond the point of no return for me. They have both had multiple chances and have failed to take them or make any sustained impression. Very disappointing given we paid money for both of them and they are still hanging around because they got long contracts.

After the break we took the game to our hosts and Nathan Asiime in particular took his chance to impress. He was busy on our right flank and was always looking to cut inside. He was rewarded after the hour when Blackett-Taylor chipped into the six yard area and he was first to the header. His glance took it wide of their keeper and in off the post. Minutes later he scored again by cutting in, beating his man and prodding the ball beyond the keeper who should perhaps have done better than to get an arm it to as it bounced in.

It looked all over at that point but Dartford stepped up and after Blackett-Taylor was out-muscled in our half, Vardy raced into the box and skinned the hapless Roddy before finding Manor a yard out at the back post. Two-one and suddenly we looked capable of giving the Darts a draw. Even after they had a player dismissed for swinging at McGrandles (how embarrassing) we still gave them opportunities down our left and Maynard-Brewer saved what would have been an equaliser. We failed to exert any pressure after they went down to ten and looked happy to get off 2-1.

This game came too early for Alfie May and Miles Leaburn is out for "a few weeks." Lloyd Jones is also still recovering from injury, so we do at least have three 'first-teamers to return.' However, the squad is horribly unbalanced and it's mind-boggling that we are being linked with another centre-half (Fankaty Daby) in the circumstances when we have six, excluding Sam Lavelle who slipped away to Carlisle on Friday (good business for them). 

We have to sign a couple of left footed players and injuries are also screaming out for another striker or two. The other elephant in the room are the personalities and winners that we need so desperately. The on-field leaders who will call the shots and give us the bite we have lacked since Lee Bowyer's team. One of them needs to be a midfield general in my mind. I don't want to see Roddy playing for us this season and, trier though he is, I can't see Payne playing a sustained role in a promotion-challenging side in this division.

George Dobson took a knock today which reminds you just how vulnerable our midfield can look without him. We don't have another player who can break things up like him and offer protection to the defence. 

I should add that I think Alfie May is a very good signing but I really hope he doesn't turn out to be our biggest piece of business. We have to bring in another six and they all need to be Alfie May's if we are realistically going to challenge. 

I have very little confidence that we will have the budget for this but I trust Dean Holden and he has said he is very happy with where we are headed, so that gives me some hope.