Karl Robinson will be thinking long and hard about his team for the Scunthorpe game this week.
He has a plethora of injuries to deal with, and he will also have to decide whether he has the personnel at his disposal to play his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
The manager said at a press conference last week that there would be more recruitment at the end of the window, and that he was looking to move a few players out. After Saturday’s match, he may have to reassess.
Central defence will be a major problem for the Scunthorpe game. Saturday’s pairing of Patrick Bauer and Jorge Teixeira will be unavailable.
Teixeira will be serving a suspension for the red card he picked up after the final whistle, and Bauer had to be helped from the pitch at the end of the game.
Already without the commanding presence of long term injury victim, Jason Pearce, Robinson has limited options. Roger Johnson seems set for his first league start since the season opener at Bury in August.
Either Harry Lennon or Ezri Konsa will probably be his partner.
Konsa is a pivotal part of Robinson’s midfield when he deploys the 4-2-3-1 shape, and he may be loathe to drop Konsa back.
Bauer may be giving the manager some concerns. He had the ball in the net twice against Millwall – one goal should have stood – and forced a full length save from Jordan Archer.
Bauer has scored twice this season, once in the 5-1 win at Bristol Rovers, and he also got the equaliser against Sheffield United at The Valley.
But defensively he has been shaky recently. He struggled to cope with Lee Gregory on Saturday and was turned far too easily.
Adam Chicksen will probably drop back into defence to cover for injury victim, Lewis Page, leaving a gap on the left side of the attacking trio of midfielders.
Ricky Holmes is the obvious replacement, but he may not yet be ready to play 90 minutes. The diminutive Jay Dasilva is another option, but a full match at this level is a big ask for the youngster at this stage.
Nicky Ajose was left out of the 18 on Saturday, and 4-2-3-1 does not really suit his style. Robinson may have Lee Novak available for Saturday, but he is more suited to the number ten role, rather than being the lone front man.
Much for the manager to ponder this week. Does he need to change the shape of the team, perhaps he may consider an earlier than anticipated return to the transfer market.
A fascinating week beckons.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic