Alan Pardew admitted harsh lessons had been learnt after Charlton slipped into the bottom three of the Championship after a 3-1 home defeat to Barnsley on Saturday.
Jonathan Macken's brace and a Darren Moore header saw Barnsley go into a 3-0 lead at half-time.
And, although Addicks skipper Mark Hudson grabbed a late consolation, the loss saw Charlton fall into the relegation places after Southampton's last-gasp victory at Preston North End.
Speaking afterwards, Pardew bemoaned the absence of Linvoy Primus after watching his side's inability to deal with Barnsley's set-plays.
Alan Pardew admitted harsh lessons had been learnt after Charlton slipped into the bottom three of the Championship after a 3-1 home defeat to Barnsley on Saturday
On-loan Portsmouth defender Primus sat out the clash with the Tykes after picking up a slight knee injury in training on Thursday and Pardew stated: "We felt beforehand that Linvoy would be important to us so losing him on Thursday was a real blow. They're a strong powerful side and the last four goals we've conceded have all come from set-plays.
"You can't afford to give a team a two-goal lead like that. That made it very difficult for us. There was a lot of inexperience on the pitch today and that showed at times.
"Power and height were a major factor today in us not being able to deal with Barnsley. Maybe having Primus in the side would have helped us with his experience, knowledge, height and power. They didn't rip us apart with football but we struggled with every set-play.”
With two tough away trips now awaiting his side at Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City, things certainly don't get any easier for the Addicks and Pardew said: "I have to look within the squad and look at the characters of the players. I've learnt a lot in the last few weeks. I've certainly given people a go; I can't be accused of not looking at everyone in the squad.
"I now need to stick with my best side and maybe bring in someone on loan, if finances are available. If that team isn't good enough to beat the top teams, we have to accept that, but I'm sure that team will be good enough to get us out of the position we're in.”
The Addicks found themselves 2-0 down after just eight minutes against the Tykes and Pardew continued: "It obviously affected one or two of the players and we never got any rhythm.
"The crowd were frustrated and I'm going to have to lean on some of the more experienced candidates in our squad to get us out of the situation we're in.
"That's where we are now. You can't crawl under a stone and hide, you have to stand and face it. Sometimes in a season there are certain benchmarks where you have to make decisions and this will be a tough week for me.”
He continued: "All I can do as a manager is protect my players to some degree and prepare them for a tough game for Plymouth.”
Pardew was also quick to dismiss media reports linking the Addicks with a move for Ipswich Town midfielder Ivan Campo, insisting: "Campo was never coming here. That was never a goer.”
Meanwhile, Barnsley boss Simon Davey was understandably delighted after his side's first-ever away victory at Charlton, adding: "We came down here and had a gameplan which worked perfectly. To go in at half-time 3-0 was fantastic, but we still had another 45 minutes to go. But we saw the right result out and I can't ask any more.
"We kept players behind the ball, we defended right and we counter-attacked when we needed to. Jon Macken was different class. He led the line differently, got his two goals and was a constant thorn in Charlton's side.
"We won't get carried away. We've had a good five weeks but it's a long, long season. It can all turn very quickly so we have to make sure we continue to progress.”
He forgot to add the fact that we're shit, but at least he has finally seen we are too lighweight
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WRight and Weaver the only 2 to come out with credit today, I want Shelvey and Wright to play but they need to be protected from this bollox
He and Hudson had an excellent partnership until he got injured.
Totally agree, although six months ago i'd have never believed i'd be missing Fortune.
He and Hudson had an excellent partnership until he got injured.[/quote]
I agree with you. He offers more than Primus who was awful at home last week against Burnley.
Erm, I'm sorry Alan. Would hear any of the following?
Gordon Brown - "If this party can't beat another in the next election, then ho-hum, we'll live with that".
Winston Churchill - "Oooooo, if these Germans give it the large any more then lets call it a day"
Dangermouse - "If I can't save Penfold from the evil clutches of Baron Greenback, then I'll go back to running around all day on my wheel"
Of course you wouldn't and of course you didn't you sad excuse for a manager.
Piss-off somewhere else and give someone with a nano-ounce of desire the chance to do a better job than you've failed to do.
end rant/sarcasm.