The game at Wycombe was a potential banana skin, a wet and slippery though immaculate pitch, tricky opponents who always battle, and with Stevenage still fresh in the mind, this was a real test.

The Addicks got off to the best possible start with a quick goal and added a second just before the break. Wycombe came more into it in the second half but Charlton dealt with the pressure well. Chris Powell had this to say:

“It’s never going to be easy in League One, regardless of where your opposition are in the table.

“After a very good 45 minutes, the second period was a bit dicey. Obviously, Wycombe got a good equaliser after two great saves from Ben Hamer. It was a great double save but sadly he couldn’t get the third.

“We had to show a bit of character and a bit of fight, all the things you need, especially away from home when you are put under pressure. All my players did that, so I was extremely happy.”

Both goals were scored by leading scorer, Bradley Wroght-Phillips. The first after a spectacular overhead effort from Yann Kermorgant came back off a post and the second from a great through ball by Danny Hollands. Powell was naturally delighted with his strikers:

“Bradley and Yann are forming a good partnership.

“Brad’s one of these players that people alongside them like. He’s full of movement and full of life. It was a superb overhead kick from Yann that led to the first goal and Brad finished it off after it came off the post. Then there was some good link-up play for the second goal.

“I’m sure half-time was needed by Gary Waddock and his team, but I didn’t want it to come because I knew Wycombe would respond, which they did, but all the aspects that you need on the road were there in full effect from all my players.

“For us to win on the road again pleases me, because I’m very confident that away from home we have enough about us in our belief and attitude that we can impose our game and get three points.

“That’s what I want from every game, and we’ve done that again tonight. This is a tough place to come. Wycombe have come up and had some decent results. They beat Sheffield United here not too long ago and won away at Hartlepool and I knew they would change their team slightly from Saturday after losing at Oldham.

“They responded in the second half but we saw the game out, which I’m very pleased about, and we move on now to Hartlepool,” said Powell.

With Huddersfield being held at Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday losing at Carlisle, the Addicks moved three points clear at the top and five clear of third placed Wednesday. The manager is keeping his feet firmly on the ground though:

“We had a gap not too long ago but it got eaten because games come thick and fast, sometimes three in a week. When you have busy weeks, you have to make sure that you have recovered and are ready for the opposition. Sometimes you may have to change it around and put fresh legs in.

“After the performance on Saturday, I felt the starting XI earned the right to start again and they proved me right because they were exceptional in attacking and defending as a unit when they had to. Another win on the road is great for us,” said the boss before giving his reasons for leaving out Dale Stephens, “He (Stephens)stayed with his partner over the weekend in the North West but the team and the subs all played their part on Saturday so there was no need for me to change it.

“He’s had a little bit of a knock as well, so he needs to just get himself up to speed again while having a bit of treatment.

“He’s trained today and trained yesterday and travelled with us. He’s an integral part of this squad and has played very well for us since joining. The team and the starting XI and subs all earned the right to be unchanged tonight.”

Andy Hughes has taken Stephens’ place in the last two games, allowing Danny Hollands to adopt a more attacking role. Hughes is very much an attritional midfielder but lacking Stephens’ creative talent. Chris said this about Hughes:

“He’s brought a bit of energy and fresh legs. He’s excited to get in the team.

“You always find that when players on the outside looking in when things are going well for the team, they want to be part of it.

“He’s got his chance. He’s a disciplined player and sometimes you need that just to change the outlook of the team. He’s been part of two good victories, so that’s good for him.”

After notching those two first half goals, Bradley Wright-Phillips must have been hopeful of scoring his first ever hat-trick. That dream ended when he was subbed four minutes from the end. He jokingly said this about his manager when asked if he agreed with the decision:

“No. I’m going to punch him (Powell)in the face when I get back to the changing room!

“Obviously, it was a tactical decision. He put Waggy on with fresh legs because they were putting a bit of pressure on us, so I understand why he did it.

“I want a hat-trick, so it’s not good enough! Perhaps I just have to accept that I’m not good enough!

“Seriously though, I could have done better because I’ve missed a few sitters but I’ll certainly take it,” said Bradley before giving his thoughts on his two strikes, “My second was the better goal, personally speaking.

“The first was after a great overhead kick by Yann and I just finished it off, while the second was from a great ball by Danny.”

Wright-Phillips then gave his thoughts on his strike partners:

“Yann and Hayesey are different types of players but they are both great to play with.

“Obviously Yann has come in and his form is good, and he’s scoring goals, but I want to give Haysey a shout out though, because he is a big part of why we’ve started so well this season,” said Wright-Phillips before giving some serious thoughts on his manager, “I think the way we are playing is down to the gaffer’s personality.

“He’s quite laidback and the boys aren’t afraid to try things and express themselves on the pitch.

“It hurt us to lose our unbeaten record against Stevenage but I think that might help us in the long run. We’ve learned from that, and I think it was a good performance (against Wycombe).”

The spirit and harmony in the camp is high and the team will be confident about the trip to Hartlepool.