Some of Charlton’s best weekends last season were when they did not play.‎ Results often went their way, and on one occasion they even climbed a place in the table due to a swing in goal difference going in their favour.

Saturday was not one of those days. Wins for Accrington, Barnsley, Doncaster, Fleetwood, Peterborough, Portsmouth and Southend‎ left the Addicks in 11th place, nine points adrift of the top two but only five from the play-off zone.

Charlton play the rearranged game at Walsall – one of the team’s above them in the table – next month, and really need to pick up the three points on offer.

There will be another international break in mid November, meaning the Addicks’ game at Portsmouth will almost certainly be postponed.

While Lee Bowyer will not want his team to have a fixture pile up, he may view the two week enforced break as a blessing in disguise.

It will give him the opportunity to get some of his injured players back, and the rest will be beneficial for the players who have been carrying knocks.

It is a long,hard season with many twists and turns still to come.

Charlton could hardly have a tougher task when they try to reignite their campaign on Saturday – high flying Barnsley will be the visitors to The Valley.