‘Staying up is now the only aim for Charlton’.

Charlton’s excursion to the Potteries promised a glimmer of hope, but ended in another night to forget.

A 3-0 loss at Stoke City told its own story, albeit the screenplay felt uncomfortably familiar – defensive implosions, a few of half-chances at best, and the depressing realisation by half-time that it was all over again.

When the team sheet was released an hour before kickoff, optimism temporarily returned.

The reappearance of James Bree provided consolation, Lloyd Jones’ recuperation reassured, and Luke Berry’s experience strengthened belief.

However, all those glimmers of hope were quickly extinguished by two goals in the first five minutes (why did I leave that beautiful, warm, cosy pub?). And a third that custodian Thomas Kaminski definitely should have handled.

Captain Greg Docherty spoke passionately following Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat by Southampton, saying that the team would make things right at Stoke. By halftime, Charlton’s rallying cries had become hollow, as they were once again beaten in all the important moments.

Macaulay Gillesphey appeared uneasy at this level, Docherty and Tyreece Campbell failed to establish themselves, and Charlton as a whole produced virtually nothing offensively.

Two matches in a row have now slid out of reach before the break. 919 of us braved the cold Tuesday night in Stoke.

We chanted and cheered on the squad till the conclusion, which was the only bright spot in an otherwise depressing evening.

Nathan Jones has lots of credit in the bank and earned and received our full-time praise, notwithstanding this latest disaster against one of his old clubs. Football is supposed to be simple:

focus, compete, and demonstrate the fundamentals. Charlton appear to be in poor health right now, and the rehabilitation will most likely begin once they face the power of Coventry City.

The need to begin accruing points in December is evident, because survival – simply being alive – is now the primary goal, I’m afraid.

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