The good news is that it seems unlikely that Charlton will be occupying a relegation spot by this Saturday evening.

Swindon might well beat Bolton or at least gain the draw which would take them to 13 points. It would be a surprise if Southend got a win at in-form Rochdale but they could manage a draw which would also put them on 13 points. However, it does seem unlikely that Shrewsbury can go to Bradford and secure the three points they need to reach get above Charlton. I think we can probably discount Oldham winning 8-0 at Gillingham so the 12 proud points which our team have garnered from their first 11 games should suffice to keep us at least in twentieth position for another week. The fact that Millwall and our next opponents Coventry will be beneath us is scant consolation.

As far as I can see Charlton's current 18th position in League One is the club's lowest position in my lifetime. The Theo Foley teams of 72/73 and 73/74 both managed 19 points after 11 games. Phil Parkinson's team of 2010/11 accumulated 16 points. You have to go back a very long way to find a worse start and there are probably very few people still alive who actually witnessed the horrific 8 points (converted by 3 for a win) which Alex Macfarlane's team mustered from their first 11 games in 1926/27.

In fact we wonder if there is anyone still alive today who actually saw Charlton play when they were in a lower league position than the current 18th in the third tier ? Ninety years ago this weekend 6,563 people were at The Valley to see the team's seventh defeat in nine matches (1-3 v Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic). If you know of someone who might have been there or at other games that season please let us know at secretary@castrust.org