Alan Pardew has singled out Charlton's transfer market activity as one of the main reasons why the club failed to challenge for promotion.The Addicks' 4-1 win against Coventry on the final day of the season was just their third win in the last 15 games, with Pardew singling out the sale of influential midfielder Andy Reid in January as a key moment in his side's campaign.

Pardew, who used a total of 38 players over the course of last season, also pointed the finger at the club's long injury list as a defining factor.

"I brought a lot of players in last summer, 13 of which had never played Championship football before and some adjusted well and others not so well," he told the club's official site.

"There is no doubt we learned a lesson after selling a key player mid-season, and Andy Reid's departure affected us more than I think anyone imagined. Subsequently, we couldn't find a winning system or compensate through the loan market.

"We also suffered a series of injury blows and it was a heavy burden but I accept the criticism levelled at me and the management."

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