Charlton Athletic continued their desperate run of form crashing out of the Carling Cup to a side from League Two. Les Reed will be wondering if the board will stand by him or if he will suffer the same fate as Iain Dowie. He may well be one of the most qualified coaches in the game; but from recent performances he has not demonstrated that he has the ability to motivate top-flight footballers when it matters most.

Paul Lambert’s side dictated the play to the Premiership side. Forcing a number of great saves from Addicks keeper Scott Carson, eventually the pressure brought the visitors a goal and a deserved lead through a Jermaine Easter strike. Easter has scored in every round of the competition so far and will be hoping that he can help his side get through the semi finals.

Lambert had no problem in motivating his side, employing Martin O’Neill ethos “I am a great believer, as Martin O’Neill used to say at Celtic, if your in something you may as well go and try and win it.”
Charlton did not have their strongest side out but it was a team sheet littered with big names, who can and should have done better. They didn’t and Les Reed will have to find some inspiration under his Christmas tree if he is to guide his side to safety.

With the other game postponed due to bad weather, Paul Lambert and his team can sit and watch the other games to see who they might face in the semi-finals next year.