The home defeat by Leeds saw Charlton drop to nineteenth spot in the table, just three points above the drop zone.

Two late goals condemned the Under-18s to a 2-1 defeat at Derby, a result that saw them drop to fourth in their ten team league, six points adrift of the top.

Jason Euell’s Under-21 side currently lie ninth out of the ten team’s in their competition. Both the development teams won their respective leagues last season, with the Under-21s adding the divisional play-off trophy, after winning the final in Cardiff.

The slump of the Under-21s has been the most dramatic change and highlights just how good a job Nathan Jones – now assistant first team manager at Brighton – did.

Jones is highly thought of in the game as his rapid promotion to first team responsibilities at the Amex demonstrates.

Jason Euell is just setting out on his coaching career and will need time to settle into the role.

Meanwhile, Chris Powell has gone public for the first time about wanting to extend his stay at The Valley. He had this to say to Richard Cawley of the South London Press:

“I like managing and I like managing here. This club is a good fit for me.

“The fans are loyal to the football club, to the players and to myself but I understand what managing is about. I have to do my best to get results – simple as that. There is no hiding place from that,” said Powell.

Powell’s contract – as well as those of several senior players – expires in the summer. Discussions with the manager and the players concerned are unlikely to be imminent.

With rumours of a takeover and the club languishing in the lower reaches of the Championship, there are probably more pressing issues that the board feel need to be addressed first.

The Addicks return to action with a London derby at Loftus Road on Saturday. The game marks the start of a hectic five games in fourteen days spell for Charlton.

Ipswich visit the Valley seven days after the Queens Park Ranger’s match and the Addicks travel to Yeovil for a vital game the followingSaturday. Sandwiched between the weekend games is the rearranged fixture with Doncaster at The Valley next Tuesday and the trip to Reading a week later.

The schedule is both physically and mentally demanding. Queens Park Rangers and Reading will expect to be vying for automatic promotion come the end of the season, while Ipswich will be hopeful of making the play-offs.

Doncaster and Yeovil probably represent the best opportunities for picking up three points but that expectancy will bring its own pressures.

The manager will be buoyed by having an almost full squad to pick from on Saturday and will hope to embark on another unbeaten run.