Chris Powell frequently changed shape, as well as personnel, during the last two seasons, making it difficult to predict the team ahead of a game.

Jose Riga tried various systems and regularly rotated the strikers when he arrived at The Valley, as he searched for his best team.

Of recent times, Riga has settled on the favoured continental system – also widely used in the Premier League – of a back four, two holding midfielders, three deployed further forward and a lone striker.

Ben Hamer has been ever present under the Riga regime. Chris Solly went straight back into the team without a reserve outing. Dorian Dervite’s more cultured style has been preferred to the greater physicality of Richard Wood, to partner Michael Morrison. Rhoys Wiggins is the first choice left-back and would complete the back-four,

Diego Poyet has been another regular starter under Riga and would fill one of the holding midfield berths.

The other player used in a holding role recently has been Johnnie Jackson. The position may be ideal for Jackson at this stage of his career.

Lawrie Wilson favours the wide right midfield slot and works well with Solly.

Jordan Cousins’ boundless energy is best used in central midfield and Callum Harriott has shown what he can do in the past two games.

Another who has improved dramatically of recent times is Marvin Sordell.

So, Riga’s first choice starting eleven would probably be:

Hamer; Solly, Morrison, Dervite, Wiggins; Poyet, Jackson; Wilson, Cousins, Harriott; Sordell.