Here are five things we learned from Charlton's penatly defeat to Forest Green.

 

1. Bowyer still has no intention of going on a cup run.

 

Judging by the team sheet, Lee Bowyer was using this opportunity to give some minutes to players who are further down the pecking order, namely Alfie Doughty, Brendan Wiredu and Wilberforce Ocran.

Bowyer understands that the league we are in is unforgiving.

At one point everything could be going your way and then in a matter of seconds it could all be turned on its head.

As disappointing as a loss is having been spoilt over recent months under Bowyer, the team seection is completely understandable.

If in anyway an EFL Cup run hampered league safety, or even better, then who needs the EFL Cup.

'In Bowyer We Trust.'

READ:Only two positive perfomances in EFL Cup defeat says Bowyer

2.  Sam Field needs more game time.

This Is Local London: (PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)(PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)

Bowyer said on Saturday after the 3-1 home win against Stoke City that he spoke with the fitness manager over at West Brom and Field has not seen much game time in pre-season. As a result, he was not great tonight, but you can see potential in him, as Lee says it’s not fair to judge a player when they are not fit.

 

3. Doughty, Wiredu, Morgan and Bonne all need to be loaned out.

Forest Green took advantage of the younger player's inexperience. Pre-game excitement to see the Academy crop in in action turned to a realisation that they aren't ready yet for the rigours of Championship football. 

Doughty looked the best out the lot of them, he swung a couple of decent crosses in and was quick with the ball, he looks like he would be good as a wing-back after a loan or maybe two. Morgan was disappointing I feel he lost the ball a bit too much when it mattered. I don’t think much of his heart was in the game.

Brendan Wiredu didn’t play awful tonight but failed to make a real impact. He had a few good spells though when he was called upon, however, he didn't add to what was already a high-expectation of the 19-year-old after his brilliant performances in pre-season.

Macaulay Bonne didn’t take the opportunity like he should of, he wasn’t quick to react, his first touch was poor in a couple of attacking situations and he failed to make an impact on the game. Sending Bonne out on loan all rests on the Tomer Hemed transfer.

READ:'They're not ready yet' - Bowyer on youngsters after EFL Cup defeat

4. Ben Amos is showing signs of improvement.

This Is Local London: (PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)(PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)

After a shaky pre-season, Ben Amos needed some game time to prove that he is capable of taking the starting spot from Dillon. Amos was called upon a few times and made some great saves in the process.

 

The former Manchester United man was one of the players who needed to take this opportunity with both hands and he did just that. He kept a clean sheet which Bowyer was happy with. Could Dillon Phillips's time as number one be under threat?...you bet it is.

 

5. Meet Shawn McCloulsky, went from flipping burgers at Charlton to scoring the winning penalty for Forest Green at The Valley.

This Is Local London: (PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)(PIC:Kyle Andrews Photography)

Former Dulwich Hamlet striker Shawn McCoulsky scored the penalty that decided Charlton’s fate, but after speaking with some of the press after the game I come to learn that Lewisham born McCloulsky used to work at Charlton behind the bar, specifically flipping burgers, so the story goes.

 

What a step up that is for the 22-year-old attacker and hopefully for him, he can take this into his game after a disappointing season on loan at Southend United, Chris Powell was also the man to bring him to The Shrimpers from Bristol City last term.