Despite a points haul that might normally make them safe the Addicks find themselves with 50 points and only 3 points (plus goal difference) off 22nd place where sits struggling Huddersfield. Immediately above on the same points are a number of clubs including the other promoted side Sheffield Wednesday, recent Premiership club Blackburn, and Barnsley who claimed an important win last night. Reality is the Addicks are in the midst of  relegation fight that is consuming most of the Championship.

The win against Bolton on Saturday, gives the reds a crucial but narrow margin to build on, but Chris Powell will need to eke out a few more wins before the Addicks can claim safety, with a strong possibility that 22nd place will this year achieve a record points haul - 53 or thereabouts previously being enough to claim safety - it's maybe looking closer to 60 this year to ensure safety.

Last nights results didn't help Charlton much with Barnsley getting a win against Leicester and Millwall nicking a point at home to Ipswich. Huddersfield play tonight away to Bolton and although it's hard to see them getting anything from that meeting results show anything could happen in this crazy league. With Bristol City probably a cert to finish in the bottom three, Peterborough could also conceivably escape although they play Middlesborough away tonight, another tall order perhaps, who knows?

The crazy tag extends to most of the league, with currently only 7th and above seemingly safe from being drawn into the mix and for some 21 points to play for, creating an exciting run in for the neutral, and some considerable stress for the partisan. Time to break out the 'Valliantum'..

So how will the Addicks fair tonight?

The form guide doesn't seem to count for much this season, nevertheless looking at the table tonight's match by the seaside seems a tough one against Gus Poyet's high flying 'gulls who are fighting for a promotion/playoff spot and have won 5 in the last 6 at home, drawing one.  That impressive recent home form and the Addicks' outstanding away record might lead to deadlock, and could allow Chris Powell to add a welcome point to his escape velocity. Charlton fans will however be seeking 3 points to make safety a reality, and put the Reds 7 points off the playoffs, amazingly making the match nearly a six pointer.

This previewer would be more inclined to think our safety will be achieved elsewhere, but who knows, maybe this likelihood will spur the boys on to big things on the South Coast, and the goals do seem to be back.. if Saturday's senior heroes Captain Marvel, Fuller and Kermogant can put in another big performance so soon after Saturday, it only needs Charlton's latest central defensive pairing of Morrison and Dervite to forge an effective partnership.

BR