LET battle commence.

Despite their final dress rehearsal ending with a disappointing defeat and display, Cherries will start to be judged when the curtain rises on the new season in five days.

It remains to be seen whether a predominately impressive pre-season campaign has merely papered over the cracks or given the club’s long-suffering supporters real grounds for optimism.

One thing is certain though. Unless the club’s transfer embargo is either lifted or relaxed, Eddie Howe’s men will need to pull out all the stops to ensure they hit the ground running.

With resources already stretched, the current squad will do well to hold its own in their first five League Two fixtures, starting with a trip to Bury, last season’s play-off semi-finalists.

Should the embargo be removed before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, all eyes would then fall on the Cherries board.

A loosening of the Dean Court purse strings would almost certainly be a prerequisite for a successful season, with potential targets Steve Lovell, Andre Costa and Lewis Smith already in place.

As it stands, Cherries’ strongest starting 11 is arguably as good as any in the division.

However, when it comes to strength in depth, the existing squad is found wanting.

A number of players have caught the eye during Cherries’ warm-up campaign, while the shortcomings of others have exposed the squad’s frailties.

Goalkeeper Shwan Jalal again showed what an excellent shot-stopper he is when he pulled off top-drawer saves to thwart Charlton’s Thierry Racon and Jonjo Shelvey in quick succession. He also distinguished himself when blocking Shelvey’s late free kick.

There was little Jalal could do to stop either Charlton goal, Racon’s 20th-minute opener diverted into the back of the net by Brett Pitman’s head, while Lloyd Sam’s 57th-minute winner was an accurate strike which went in off the post.

Cherries’ lack of defensive back-up options, however, are emphasised by the fact that striker Lee Bradbury will probably start the season at right-back, while Jason Tindall’s registration is testament to the dearth.

In League Two, Warren Cummings is unlikely to be confronted by a winger as good as Sam, the Charlton youngster’s mesmerising display giving the Scotsman ideal preparation for the season.

The emergence of Mark Molesley and Anton Robinson’s midfield partnership must have given Howe a boost, particularly as Danny Hollands and Marvin Bartley could struggle to make the start of the season.

Although Bartley continued his recovery from injury as a 52nd-minute substitute, his appearance came at the expense of striker Jeff Goulding who suffered a dead leg and could be a doubt for Bury.

Sammy Igoe, whose thunderous drive struck the underside of the crossbar late on, and Liam Feeney, who looks an inspired find, will initially provide experience and youth on the flanks. Again though, fit and able deputies are scarce in this area of the squad.

In attack, Cherries have the potential to have one of the most lethal strike-forces in the league, with Pitman and Lovell sure to flourish. Lovell’s addition, however, will depend on the embargo and the board.

Pitman’s clinical penalty put Cherries back on level terms two minutes before the break after Racon had been penalised by linesman Justin Amey for a preposterous handball.

Steve Fletcher, whose powerful header brought the best out of Elliott in the 11th minute, will offer muscle and nous, albeit maybe not on a regular basis, while Goulding could also make his mark having shown glimpses last season.

A low-key finale threatened to boil over after Deon Burton had felt the full force of a shuddering tackle from Pearce, who was then barged by Izale McLeod as the handbags started flying.

And in the closing stages, Charlton’s Chris Solly was stretchered off following a clash with Cherries trialist Nana Ofori-Twumasi, the former Chelsea youth team captain avoiding a booking, much to the relief of referee David Phillips.