Carson - impressive against Manchester UnitedIain Dowie's first competitive match in charge of Charlton at The Valley ended in a not-too-unexpected defeat against Manchester United and was compounded by an injury crisis.
But the Addicks boss believes the spirit in his squad can inspire them to their first points of the campaign at home to unbeaten Bolton on Saturday.
Dowie admitted that last-minute back injuries to Uruguayan defender Gonzalo Sorondo, who has a small fracture in his spine, and new £3million signing Andy Reid and the suspension of £2million arrival Djimi Traore had an unsettling effect on the team before the 3-0 loss to United.
But he was full of praise for on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson, who was particularly impressive in keeping out one curling shot from Ryan Giggs in the first half.
"We did lots of things right for about an hour against United," said Dowie, who flew to Manchester for the Red Devils' 5-1 hammering of Fulham immediately after Charlton's opening-day defeat by West Ham.
"But we didn't press enough, and they have got players that can hurt you. The manner of their last two goals was disappointing after Jonathan Fortune just slipped over for the first one and Darren Fletcher took great advantage it.
"Also, we didn't make enough effort to pass the ball - which we had talked about before the game. We also switched off at key defensive moments."
He added: "To lose Djimi, Reidy and Sorondo before the game unsettled us a little bit.
"Gonzalo has got a small fracture in his back and will be out for four to six weeks, while Andy couldn't get out of bed on Wednesday morning because of a back spasm.
"But we've got a good, together group here - and the atmosphere and support was terrific on Wednesday night. We will need to get that back on Saturday against Bolton."
Dowie saluted a series of superb saves by Carson, 20, whose move from Anfield has kept Norway international Thomas Myhre was on the bench.
"Scotty has played well," he said.
"But we've got two number ones at this club. I hold Thomas in high regard. I rate him very highly, but Scott's just got the nod at the moment."
Traore is likely to return from a one-match ban in place of Fortune against Bolton while Marcus Bent could threaten Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's starting role, the free transfer from Middlesbrough looking below-par in his two games so far.
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