The Addicks remaining fixtures for October are three tough away trip to Blackpool, Leeds and Wolves with Barnsley providing the opposition at The Valley in the only home league game.

Charlton will need to improve on their one point per game average to steer clear of the relegation zone. To do this, there has to be a rethink about their approach to games.

“But I think you’ve just got to keep calm and make sure you don’t lose the game,” was Chris Powell’s comment on how to play against ten men after the Watford game. If a side went unbeaten through an entire season but drew every game, they would be relegated. Positive thinking, trying to win as opposed to avoiding defeat, is required. Playing against ten men should be an advantage, not a handicap.

The accepted way of playing against a numerically depleted opponent is to up the tempo, stretch play, let the ball do the work, make your opponents chase, tire them out and pressure them into making mistakes.

Charlton have kept one clean sheet in the last six months and have failed to score more than twice in any competition this season, so Powell’s preferred option of keeping things tight is stuttering.

Perhaps he needs to think again but what should he do? First thing is get back to basics, decide upon your system then play the best player you have in each position. Best right-back at the club? Chris Solly, so why is he playing on the left? Best left-back? Rhoys Wiggins, but he’s injured so his deputy, Cedric Evina, should slot in, so why is he stuck on the bench? Powell need look no further than his own career to see the virtue of this policy. He won England caps, despite being in his thirties and well down the pecking order, because Sven believed in playing his best available specialist in the position rather than play a more established international out of position.

Abdul Razak is an Ivorian international, has played in the Premier League for Manchester City this season and played 106 minutes of the Capital One Cup game against Aston Villa last week, so he is match fit, a powerhouse in midfield with a touch of class. He needs to start, the Charlton midfield has not exactly sparkled thus far and would benefit from his inclusion. Powell is understandably loyal to the players that won promotion last year but sentimentality, no matter how well intentioned, does not win matches.

Ian Holloway had a rethink about his strategy a few years ago and changed from a manager who turned out dour, defensive sides into one whose
teams play sparkling, entertaining – and winning – football.

Ollie’s teams give their opponents a chance, always dangerous going forward but vulnerable at the back. It would be folly for Powell to try grind out a result at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool have too many good attacking options. The best way to get a result is to try to take advantage of their defensive vulnerability.

Leeds and Wolves are also sides that are stronger going forward than they are at the back. Attacking them will not guarantee success but merely trying to stifle them and hope to nick something from a set play is a recipe for disaster. If the Addicks have failed to turn round a deficit quickly this season, they have resorted to hoofball, meat and drink to defenders at this level.

These are difficult times for a young manager still learning his trade but he has a man with a wealth of experience in dealing with difficult situations close at hand.

A walk down the corridor at Sparrows Lane for a coffee with Paul Hart could prove beneficial.