Karl Robinson revealed in his press conference after the MK Dons match, that his side had only scored one goal from open play since the Bristol Rovers match at the beginning of January – a run of 16 games.
Coupled with the fact that they have gone 15 games since keeping a clean sheet, it is no surprise that the Addicks have won only once in their last 14 matches.
Robinson has switched his training base to The Valley in a bid to change his side’s fortunes. But rumours that Richie Barker could be about to depart to Rotherham will have had an unsettling effect.
Promotion chasing Southend will be the visitors on Saturday, and Robinson will be hoping his team’s good record against the top sides continues.
The manager has a number of decisions to make ahead of the game. He has been ringing the changes in an attempt to find a winning formula, and he is likely to shuffle his pack again.
Robinson will have to check to see if Jason Pearce had any reaction to his first League One game since November.
Chris Solly had not played any kind of football for six weeks prior to Tuesday, and the dual player of the year struggled at times.
Lee Novak’s groin problem ruled him out on Tuesday, and Charlton went into the match without a recognised striker on the bench.
Robinson has used a diamond shaped midfield in recent matches, which has left the full-backs exposed.
The Addicks may line-up like this:
Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Pearce, Chicksen; Crofts, Ulvestad, Forster-Caskey, Holmes; Watt, Magennis.
Subs: Phillips, Dasilva, Teixeira, Jackson, Botaka, Aribo, Byrne.
The referee will be Roger East from Wiltshire.
Charlton still need a few more points to be safe, and some of Russell Slade’s pragmatism is probably what is currently needed.
Phil Brown’s side are the toughest opponents the Addicks have left to play, and they may have to wait a little longer for that elusive win.
They face Coventry, Gillingham, Chesterfield and Swindon in their final four fixtures. Their fate will be decided in that quartet of matches.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic