ALAN PARDEW dealt another blow to his players' wounded pride by conceding that Charlton are not good enough to be a top two team following the club's second three goal home defeat in five days against Burnley on Saturday.

It was the Addicks' fourth home defeat in five matches and the manager was in no mood to let the side down gently.

"We're certainly not good enough to be a top two team, which is our aim," said Pardew. "We've got ourselves into a situation at home whereby our supporters have become restless, and I can understand that.

"But I'm bound to say that it's nothing we can't correct. We have to find a solution to winning at home.

"I picked a team to face Burnley that was highly experienced because I knew it would be a tough agenda. There were seven or eight players who have played in the Premier League in that side."

Charlton, who emerged from October licking their wounds following consecutive defeats against Wolves, Plymouth and Queens Park Rangers, responded spectacularly with successive away wins against Southampton, Bristol City and Preston without conceding a goal.

Pardew demanded more of the same from his players if fresh doubts regarding Charlton's credentials as genuine promotion contenders are to dissolve.