This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
With Lyle Taylor in the side this season, Charlton were a force to be reckoned with.
The Montserrat international had five goals and a solitary assist to rave about from his first six games in the Championship.
Lee Bowyer’s men sat happy in the playoffs but an injury to the striker over the international break just shy of two months ago nearly put a huge dent in their aspirations.
With Taylor absent from the team, the Addicks had only won one match from a possible five going into their encounter with Derby this weekend.
However, their most comfortable performance without him was seen as they ran out 3-0 victors on Saturday.
Macauley Boone was in particularly good form and of late, he’s proving that they may not have quite an overreliance on Taylor.
In fact, they’re showing they may be able to cope without him.
Bonne was rarely afforded much game time when Taylor was in such good form but in recent matches, he’s taken to the division like a duck to water.
It’s made it easy to forget that he was plying his trade in the National League last term.
The 23-year-old has now scored three in his last four outings and added to his collection against the Rams early in the first half.
It was a superb display from the former Leyton Orient striker as he also won three aerial duels in the process.
Not only that, but he made the same number of clearances, proving his worth in defensive scenarios as well as attacking ones.
Charlton fans have been quick to voice their frustrations this season, particularly with their forward line since Taylor was injured. Last month Tomer Hemed attracted harsh criticism but the Londoners’ woes seem to be behind them.
With Bonne in this type of form, a resurgence up the table could well be on the cards. If Bowyer can find a way to fit both him and Taylor into the side when he returns they could be a force to be reckoned with.
Either way, Charlton have now displayed they can cope without their talismanic forward when necessary.
