Charlton beat Bristol Rovers 1-0 to ensure their League One campaign got off to the perfect start.

It looked like it would be a long afternoon for the Addicks after Lee Novak was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Stuart Sinclair inside six minutes.

But Patrick Bauer’s 38th-minute goal was enough to see Karl Robinson’s men edge past Rovers.

Here are five things we learned…

Ben Amos concern

Firstly, Amos did make a good save to deny Liam Sercombe from equalising early on in the second-half. But that was as good as it got for the former Manchester United goalkeeper.

Amos was hugely fortunate to see Chris Lines blast over from close-range after spilling a free-kick. He was let off a few more times when he came off his line to claim corners, only to miss the ball. The 27-year-old was prone to errors at Cardiff and Bolton, and his performance on his competitive Addicks debut would not have filled you with confidence.

However, Amos has only played once since December so his poor Charlton debut could be down to rustiness. Hopefully, he improves.

Charlton show fight which wasn’t there before

With their backs against the wall following Novak’s dismissal, the Addicks of old would’ve crumbled. But Robinson’s men showed a side to them that has been missing in previous seasons.

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The aftermath of Lee Novak’s red card | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

Charlton played Bristol Rovers off the park at times. And after they went one-nil up, they defended valiantly in the second-half. Jason Pearce and Bauer, who was picked ahead of Charlton starlet Ezri Konsa, were magnificent, and summed up the Addicks’ resilience.

Tony Watt targeted too easily by Charlton fans

Along with the club’s summer recruitment, Charlton fans were excited by a new and improved Watt. The Scotland striker has lost a considerable amount of weight over the summer and looks in prime condition.

He was subbed on with 20 minutes remaining, and the Covered End chanted his name as he entered the pitch. But those chants turned to groans with fans questioning Watt’s work-rate and desire when he failed to chase down defenders. Post-match, Robinson said Watt had done exactly what was asked of him.

MORE: Robinson defends Watt after backlash from Charlton fans

But a section of fans took to social media to berate Watt, the same fans who were wishing him good luck in pre-season.

It was one bad game. And if Watt stays with the Addicks beyond the transfer window - he will get better.

Tariqe Fosu is a bargain

A stand-out performer in pre-season, Fosu had an impressive competitive debut. Down to 10 men, the former Reading winger relieved the pressure from Charlton with his mazy runs. He terrorised Rovers’ back-line and never stopped running.

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Tariqe Fosu | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

He was deservedly given a standing ovation from the Valley faithful when leaving the pitch late on. It is remarkable that Charlton sold Callum Harriott to Reading last summer, and raided the Royals to bring in a much better replacement in Fosu, for a lower fee. He looks like a real talent.

Novak desperately unlucky

Josh Magennis missed the win with a knee injury, and this was meant to be Novak’s opportunity to prove himself to Charlton fans. The striker suffered an injury-ravaged debut season at the Valley last year and could have proved a point on Saturday.

But a red card in the early stages of the game ruined his chances of doing so. If Charlton had lost, all blame would've been attached to Novak, and rightly so. But he was unlucky with his dismissal, as Robinson pointed out, he was fouled before committing the red card offence.

It was just another example of how desperately unlucky Novak has been in his Charlton career.