Probably the thing that concerned most about the defeat was that it was inflicted by a very ordinary Millwall side.

Once again, the team selection, tactics and substitutions are coming under scrutiny. Are there any clues on how to move forward? Perhaps there are.

The 3-5-2 shape is one that is supposed to give added solidity, an extra central defender, an extra central midfielder with the full-backs pushed into midfield at the expense of the wingers.

Creative players are sacrificed for additional defensive security. For the system to be effective, a team has to keep a good number of clean sheets, as scoring chances will be less. It worked well for Hull last season, the Tigers won automatic promotion despite only scoring 61 goals. Relegated Peterborough scored more than Hull and bottom club, Bristol City, scored just two less than the Tigers.

Chris Powell’s naturally cautious nature means Charlton are not a high scoring team, albeit they did manage a few more goals than Hull. Again, the Addicks need to keep a good number of clean sheets to achieve real success, and thereby lies the problem.

Charlton had a run of 18 games after the 0-0 draw with Millwall last season without keeping a clean sheet. They are currently on a run of 11 if you include the Doncaster game and you have to go back 19 games, to the 2-0 win over Peterborough last November, for the last clean sheet at The Valley.

Perhaps the emphasis should shift to a more positive approach. The strikers – Kermorgant apart – have come in for criticism but they have largely been feeding off scraps.

The Addicks have the personnel to put out a creative yet balanced midfield quartet if Powell reverted back to a traditional 4-4-2 shape.

Jordan Cousins changed the game at Barnsley, his introduction for the second half saw Charlton claw back a two goal deficit. Cousins’ energy and movement allowed Mark Gower to control the game from the centre of the park.

If the livewire and pacy duo of Cameron Stewart and Callum Harriott are used on the flanks, you have a potentially potent midfield unit. However, it would mean Powell dropping Pritchard and Jackson which seems unlikely.

Another reason being given for poor performances is the contract situation, many of the players, plus the manager, have deals that expire at the end of the season. Recently, new contracts have been agreed with Harriott, Joe Pigott, Chris Solly and according to Sky, Nick Pope too. All youngsters of course.

The older players and Powell himself will probably have to wait until the end of the season before negotiations begin. With Financial Fair Play kicking in, shorter deals on lesser terms may be the order of the day. The budget will depend on income which varies according to which division the club is in, and that is an unknown factor at this stage.

Twelve month contracts for many of the older players will become more prevalent outside of the Premier League as FFP begins to bite.