Tal Ben Haim admitted Charlton’s start in Friday evening’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham made it almost impossible for them to take anything from the game.

Trailing 2-0 after just 12 minutes to early goals from ex-Addicks player Scott Parker and

Hugo Rodallega, there was at least a more spirited display from the visitors in the second half.

But despite this, it was Rodallega who added his second, and Fulham’s third, on the break late on to seal the three points.

Israeli Ben Haim, who signed for Addicks from sister club Standard Liege in the summer, felt Charlton hadn’t given themselves much chance of taking anything from the game after finding themselves 2-0 down after twelve minutes.

“We made it too easy for them in the first 15 minutes,” he said. 

“By the time we started to play, we were 2-0 down already and it was difficult for us.

“Second half we came back stronger and created some good chances.

“Overall, though, they deserve the points. 

“If you don’t start well it’s difficult, especially if you get to a stage where you’re 2-0 down after 10 minutes.”

Ben Haim also thought it was a combination of sloppiness from Charlton and a strong start from Fulham which led to the disastrous start for the visitors.

“It’s both,” he explained.

“They started well and we twice gave the ball away and conceded. 

“It’s a mix of both - they played quite well first 15 minutes and we started slowly.”

Ben Haim revealed head coach Bob Peeters instructed his side they were still in the game at the interval.

“He said that the next goal was going to decide the game and if we could score we can build on that. We came out much better, much stronger in the second half.

“We tried to build on that. We really wanted to score a goal to stay in the game.”

Charlton picked up fresh injury problems in the defeat, as Frederic Bulot was taken off with a suspected hamstring problem which further stretches a squad already suffering knocks to Igor Vetokele, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Rhoys Wiggins.

Ben Haim admitted it is a small squad in SE7, but feels they have performed admirably to date in the Championship and are still only a point outside the play-offs.

The defender said: “Everyone knows that we haven’t got a big budget and have got quite a short squad.

“Overall we’ve done great so far. 

“I don’t think the performance was so bad at Fulham but the result is not the best for us.

“We’ve done alright if you take out the Fulham game.”

Ben Haim made special mention of the vocal support his team enjoyed from the away end despite falling behind early on.

“They gave us a lift, especially second half,” he added.

“We were 2-0 down and they still tried to lift us, tried to make the team play better. 

“It helped us. We’re disappointed we sent 3,000 people home disappointed with the result.”

The Addicks return to action on Saturday when they play host to Sheffield Wednesday at The Valley (3pm).

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