The Addicks will have a chance to put last week’s horror show behind them when Burnley visit The Valley on Saturday.

The Clarets sit two places above Charlton in the table but are in poor form and are on a winless streak of six. Their last win was in mid January when they won at Millwall.

Charlton have won just four of their nineteen matches at The Valley this season, something the manager is keen to improve before the end of the season. Chris Powell is baffled by his team’s poor home form but experienced defender, Leon Cort, probably hit the nail on the head when he said the side probably needed to commit more players forward.

The Addicks have only scored more than two goals in a game twice this season, the mantra seemingly to be avoiding defeat rather than trying to win. Because of this ethos, the promised ‘easy on the eye style’ has only materialised in flashes.

Last Saturday, Powell used the same 4-5-1 formation and team that had won in midweek at Leicester. Though a good tactic for a smash and grab raid on the road, it is not guaranteed to entertain at home. With Dervite shielding the back-four, the honest endeavour of Bradley Pritchard and Scott Wagstaff on the flanks and Dale Stephens having a poor game in the middle, there was precious little creativity in the team.

Also if Charlton want to utilise a lone striker, Yann Kermorgant is not the best choice. Good in the air, Kermorgant’s game is all about winning the ball and flicking it on to his strike partner, rather than holding it up until a runner from midfield arrives. Fuller is the best player for holding the ball up. The team tend to just launch the ball at Kermorgant, whereas they play football on the ground when Fuller is the focal point of the attack.

The much maligned Valley pitch was in poor condition last week but it did not prevent Andy Reid and the Forest midfield from playing a slick passing game, so there is no reason why Charlton can not do the same.

Another flaw in Powell’s cautious approach is the defensive record of the team. It is fifteen league and cup matches since the Addicks last kept a clean sheet, that was in the game at the New Den.

Like most sides in this division, Burnley’s strengths are in forward areas. They are likely to play 4-4-2 with the prolific Charlie Austin and pacy Danny Ings up front. Charlton’s best chance of success may be to use the pace of Danny Haynes and the skill of Fuller to breach the Clarets rearguard.

Ben Hamer is under increasing pressure from David Button for his place and any more expensive slips from Hamer could see the former Tottenham man given his chance. The defence will be unchanged but there could be a shake up in midfield. Lawrie Wilson may return at the expense of Pritchard with Dorian Dervite dropping to the bench. Fuller and Haynes would be the most potent attacking force and there could be a place on the bench for Michael Smith.

Powell may field this team:

Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; Wilson, Stephens, Jackson, Wagstaff; Fuller, Haynes.

Subs: Button, Evina, Dervite, Green, Pritchard, Obika, Smith.

The referee will be Simon Hooper from Wiltshire will be the referee.

If Charlton play an up tempo attacking game, there is no reason why they can not win the game, but if they opt to sit back and try to stifle their opponents, it could be another frustrating afternoon for the Valley faithful.