A huge collective sigh of relief was breathed at the final whistle at The Valley on Tuesday night.

The Charlton fans who travel to Blackpool on Saturday, will be able to enjoy the afternoon without having to worry about the outcome of the match.

The Addicks may be safe, but Birmingham, Blackpool, Doncaster and Millwall are not. Realistically, it looks as if either Birmingham or Doncaster are the most likely to be relegated.

Doncaster travel to Leicester and the Foxes will be keen to end their season on a winning note. Nigel Pearson’s team will break through the hundred point barrier if they manage to draw or win.

If Doncaster do lose, Birmingham would need a draw at Bolton to avoid the drop. Birmingham have only won two games at home all season, so the Blues will probably be happy enough for their fate to be decided away from St Andrews.

Though they have a reasonable record on the road, most of Birmingham’s wins have come against the bottom teams.

Bolton’s record at the Reebok is not great but it has mainly been the top teams that have taken all three points from the Trotters.

Lee Clark is a defensively minded coach and may park the proverbial bus and hope that a point is enough to save his side.

The most likely outcome is that both the Blues and Doncaster lose, with Birmingham being relegated.

Most of the Premier League teams play with a 4-5-1 shape, the central quintet comprising two holding players and three who play further forward.

It is a system that is used extensively abroad and one favoured by Jose Riga.

Charlton have been playing two games a week since mid March, a punishing schedule for the players.

One thing that may have surprised many fans is the run of games Johnnie Jackson has put together.

The skipper returned from injury as a substitute at Ipswich on New Year’s Day and notched the late equaliser.

Since then, Jackson has started in all the 26 league and cup games that Charlton have played. It can be taken as read that the run will be increased to 27 at Bloomfield Road.

Riga has used Jackson in tandem with Diego Poyet as his holding duo in midfield of recent times. Could this become Jackson’s regular role next season?

If the Addicks persist with 4-5-1 next season – particularly if Riga continues to be in charge – there is every chance Jackson will be used as a midfield anchor.

At this stage of his career, given his passing ability, it may prove to be the perfect position for the popular Jackson.