Gillingham 0 Charlton 5

The Addicks go rolling on without a care in the world, or so it seems. Another tonking of lower League opposition in the pre-season canter, this time its the Tier 3 Gills that got the treatment.

Good performances from Ambrose, Reid, Moutaouakil and Semedo, playing in defensive midfield again, with Reid inevitably involved in the first 4 goals. Central defence was Magic and Diawara until Fortune and McCarthy came on for the last 20 minutes with Thatcher at left-back. Thomas was the wide man with no sign of Christensen. Two strikers in Todorov, holding the ball up well, and Iwelumo with all the others having "niggles".

And with Pardew saying before the game "We've only got three games to go so I'm not going to be playing reserve teams now, this is more or less where it's at. There will be one or two experiments here and there and then maybe I'll show my hand maybe...", so it seems that the finished 11 is beginning to take shape.

And just when we were asking, where the 'ells Amady Faye, why there he is sat on the bench and making an appearance in the second half. Where has he been and what exactly is the point of playing him now? No point looking on the official site for the answers. And to keep us further intrigued there's still no trace of Cory Gibbs who's now appears to have gone AWOL.

So two goals from Darren Ambrose, another from Todorov, a penalty from Thomas and an own-goal were enough and you can read all about it at cafc and there's a good report here from Wyn.

But Pards. Whats the point of all these games against no-hopers? A couple of 5-0's, two 2-0's and a 1-0 with only the behind doors 3-3 against a "Chelski" eleven a blip on the record. We've obviously seriously brimful of confidence with all these victories but don't we need a bit of a test to see how good we are? And to dampen down the wave of optimism that is currently gripping the fans. 'Cause right now its only a couple of dyed-in-the-wool pessimists that don't think we're going to win every single game this season. And its making our predictions a bit bizarre given that as Charlton fans we normally fear the worst.

So after being worried that all these easy results would make you too confident, an easy thing in an optimist, its very encouraging to see that you're only teasing us and that even now you're acting the Oliver Twist part and asking the kind Mr Murray for more 'cause what you've got just ain't good enough.

Yes, its another 3 players required Richard, with McLeod and Mullins top of the list, apparently. Mullins played the last half-an-hour for the Hamsters in their 3-1 win over Southend, yesterday - what, a win at last, Curbs- but then again Scotty Parker is injured, and while McLeod was still missing from the MK Dons team yesterday, our ex-triallist Jody Morris wasn't. But perhaps its time, now that the Premier boys are getting sorted out, for a little talk with the big boys to see who exactly they see as a bit light and needing of further experience. Yes, its approaching loan-time and can we have an Alex Song please.

So the team yesterday was: Weaver; Moutaouakil (Holland 58), Thatcher, Bougherra (Fortune 70), Diawara (McCarthy 70); Reid (Sinclair 74), Semedo (Powell 61), Ambrose (Faye 69), Thomas; Todorov, Iwelumo.
Sub not used: Elliot.
Goals: Ambrose 14, 28 Todorov 39, King og 47, Thomas pen 69

And just as Thierry Henry says he's the best Arsenal fan, so I think all of us are eager to check up to see how our Darren's doing up there at Spurs. Yes, he scored again, twice, and made another and hit the post and...left at half-time. And for anyone who still misses the limelight of the Prem, there's an article here in the observer about the growing number of "International tycoons taking over English football". Makes you glad we're currently living in the real world.

And before we completely forget what he looked like, here's a glum photo of Cory Gibbs who seems to be the only person at the Valley who's disappointed with Chrissie's return.