Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden has revealed he made the decision line up with a young set of defenders to directly counter Oxford United’s threat from balls over the top, in quotes provided to the South London Press.
A few eyebrows were raised when The Addicks announced their starting line-up to face Oxford United in yesterday’s League One fixture as youngsters Deji Elerewe and Lucas Ness took their place in the defensive line over the experienced heads of Michael Hector and Terell Thomas.
The plan did not go well, as the home side terrorised the young defenders, with Tyler Goodrham capitalising on poor defending to run through the middle and score with a 20-yard drive. Holden was forced into action as he hooked Elerewe on the 42nd minute on his first league start for the club with fellow defender Ness following shortly after as he was taken off at half time.
Charlton rallyed in the second half with Alfie May scoring but a second from Goodrham meant the Addicks left empty handed.
When asked about the performance and fitness of his senior defenders Holden refused to discuss individuals, suggesting it was a decision designed to counteract Oxford’s attack.
“I’m not going to start talking about individuals after a run of results like this. I make a decision on the team selection. We knew their key threats today were in that forward area in terms of pace. That’s why I went for some pace in the back line.”
“Sometimes you have to give something up to find something else. The game panned out in a manner that doesn’t sit well with us. It’s another sucker punch for us. The supporters again will be flat. It’s up for me to lift everybody and we’ll get back to work.
“We’re light, we know that. We hope we can be active in this last few days of the window prior to Friday’s deadline. We’ve suffered key injuries. None of these are excuses, I’m just answering your question.
“I made a decision today to leave Michael (Hector) out, we went with some pace in that back line. We looked a bit inexperienced and naïve in terms of how the game panned out. You make these calls. I’m really pleased with the second half. We’ve got to make sure we don’t look for excuses.”
Holden’s men sit in 19th position in League One, with only three points and a negative goal difference. After four league defeats in a row pressure will be beginning to mount on the experienced head coach to turn around their fortunes.
Writer’s View
There is something seriously wrong at Charlton this season, I had them competing towards the top of the table (something they may well still do) but this start has done nothing to show any signs of that.
Managers are paid to make the big decisions and this was certainly one, but these kind of decisions are not something you can afford to get wrong in the current form.
Pressure must be starting to mount, and I suspect the fans will be growing tired of the disappointment.
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