Bitter rivals, Millwall, turned in an impressive ‎performance at the City Ground on Friday to move into the play-off zone. Things could not be more different for Charlton who are scrapping for their lives at the bottom of the table.

Millwall’s success is built on a solid defensive unit, whereas the Addicks have kept just two clean sheets in their last 23 matches.

Whatever division they find themselves in next season, it is an area that Lee Bowyer will have to give a major overhaul to in the summer.

Charlton are now paying the price for the lack of meaningful investment in January. Thus far, ESI have failed to deliver.

Matt Southall said agreeing new terms with Bowyer and Lyle Taylor were absolute priorities. Bowyer had to push before a deal was offered, and Taylor is yet to agree terms. Bowyer was going to be backed in the transfer market in January, and the loan signings were going to be signed on a permanent basis. Neither has happened.

ESI have a five year plan to get the club back to the Premier League. That plan will hit a major setback if the Addicks are relegated. Whatever division the club is in next season, the new owners will have plenty of work to do in the summer.

We are now in the run in to the season’s end, ten games to go and everything to play for. Charlton will probably need four wins to stay up, which looks a tough ask. But their next two games look to be amongst the most winnable – Middlesbrough at The Valley today, and Hull at the KC Stadium next Saturday.

Boro are below‎ the Addicks in the table, and victory against them would extend the gap and be a huge morale booster. Bowyer’s fragile defence will, however, have to cope with the absence of its two best central defenders.

Tom Lockyer completes his suspension and Naby Sarr misses out with a minor injury. Deji Oshilaja and Jason Pearce will again be the central pairing, and Bowyer may also play fit again, Darren Pratley, in the middle.

Bowyer will also have to choose between Macauley Bonne and Andre Green as Taylor’s partner at the front. 

Here are Bowyer’s pre-match thoughts:

“We’re in the run-in now for the last 10 games and both teams will go out there and try and win the game. I have no doubt that Jonathan [Woodgate] will be getting his side ready.

“I know it’s going to be a tough game, but I trust my players and I know that they will go out there and fight for every ball.”

Charlton could line-up like this:

Phillips; Matthews,Oshilaja, Pratley, Pearce, Purrington; Cullen‎, Davis, Williams; Taylor, Green.

Subs: Amos, Doughty, Lapslie, Oztumer, McGeady, Hemed,Bonne..

Quite simply, this is a game that the Addicks must win.