Charlton Athletic 2 v Blackpool 2

A game and a result which typifies the season for us so far and I fear, going forward. 

This week has shown we have cutting teeth with May, Aneke and Leaburn all fit and available. It has also shown how equally vulnerable we are in defence. 

It's not just the differential between back and front but the current tactical defensive play is also making it difficult for us to take the game to our opponents in the opening halves of matches in particular.

Michel Hector has explained his aberration yesterday which gave the Seasiders the lead in terms of "it will even itself out over the season." I really hope he is right but it's not just yesterday and Tuesday's blooper. He has made mistakes regularly this season going back to the Aberdeen friendly and it really doesn't help when he is the senior defensive pro. 

He is not alone either. Ness has been dropped because of his drop in form and Lloyd Jones is only now enjoying a bit of rehabilitation. Terrell Thomas can't play wing-back - if told to, he abandons his full-back berth. I haven't seen enough of Tennai Watson yet but he hasn't impressed out of the blocks.

What's to be done? We are unlikely to be able to bring anyone in until New Year, and unless we sell someone first, I don't believe the budget will be there for much better. Abankwah may offer something but that remains to be seen.

It looks like we have to find a tactical solution. For me, we can start by stop playing the ball back and forth across the defence and instead get it forward from the keeper or the first receiving defender. It might not be aspirational but it can't be any less effective than allowing yourself to be pressed in possession and having to play an emergency pass forward or even to be unable to see a ball and eventually have to revert to a goalkeeping clearance anyway.

Appleton has seen that four at the back is less complicated for us than a five but we still seem to want our full-backs to push up. They aren't particularly effective across the halfway line and with two left in the centre, we seem to play too far apart. This has cost us goals this season - two this week.

I would play a flat back four and get them moving up together more often to compress the midfield and give us more opportunity of winning the ball and using those cutting teeth, rather than waiting until 70th minute changes and going hell for leather.

Anyway, some positives from yesterday. It was good to see Maynard-Brewer back in goal although injury to Isted (6 weeks) may have been the reason, rather than Isted's worrying performances. 

Alfie May continues his fine form and scored again. Seven so far and you can see loads to come as long as he stays fit and gets support. 

Chuks Aneke has been a bit of a revelation on his return. He seems as fit and as fast as he once was, several injuries ago, and he is causing chaos when he comes on from the bench again. 

A special equaliser from CBT but overall he had another iffy game. When teams double-up on him, he understandably struggles, but we need to use the 'extra' man to good effect and help free him up.

Louie Watson looks useful in the middle but possibly a bit short of pace to be completely effective. I need to see more of him. Fraser pressed the play when he came on but he too lacks a yard of pace that would make him far more of a threat.

Courtesy of Derby County internationals, we have no game next week, so will return at home in a fortnight against struggling Reading. A fantastic opportunity for Appleton to extend his unbeaten run and win with a bit to spare for a change.