Charlton Athletic 2 v Fleetwood Town 1

Missed this game completely as I was travelling back from the Lake District. At one point I thought I might catch the second-half but the last six miles took one and a half hours due to an accident in Canning Town and the Blackwall being down to one lane.

Doesn't sound like I missed much. Many described the opening 45 minutes as "the worst ever seen." We seem inured to the sufferings of the past as this becomes a regular mantra, although it was a very popular comment this weekend. If that was true, it's equally amazing that an improved second-half and a winning penalty had a number saying they could see "green shoots of recovery." 

Miles Leaburn returned from injury in the second-half and survived unscathed, so maybe some grounds for optimism but it's hard to avoid the conclusion that our squad is a mess or that the four unheard-ofs we brought in at the last minute will struggle to add much more than the three who left. 

Chem Campbell did get a good press and his long forward ball for May's opener and was something we haven't seen for months. 

I was pleased for Jason Pearce, even if the victory against one of the division's minnows was underwhelming. When I look at the list of candidates for the job on a permanent basis, none jump out at me as anyone who will be able to do more than keep us in this God-forsaken league - certainly this season. In the circumstances Pearce (& Hayes) look as good as anyone. 

It seems to me like we just need to settle on our best 15 players and find a formation that suits. It looks very much like that isn't five at the back or any dynamic midfield. We just need a base to defend, a midfield to fight out of possession and attack with the ball and a front pairing who can keep opposing defences at home. That shouldn't be too much to ask. 

The actual gate on Saturday looked very poor. Probably between 7-8000. Certainly not buoyed by the pitifully small Fleetwood following, although having lost four on the trot and a national rail strike, perhaps we should not be surprised. Having made a similar journey to the Cod Army on Saturday, I suspect there were a few more stuck in traffic in East London too. Scott Brown certainly won't forget the game as he was sacked as their manager after the game.

On Tuesday we are at Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy, a competition I care nothing about. However, this year it may help sort out what our best side is, if we don't continue to use it as largely an U21's outing. Perhaps we can find our first team squad and let the rest play later games in this pointless cup?