The hope, anticipation even, was that this could be the season when Charlton arrested the decline of recent years and began their ascent.

The early signs were good and not just the results.

There was a real bond between the players, at last the Addicks had a team, not just a collection of individuals. The defence had become a solid unit who put their bodies on the line if necessary. There have been little hiccups along the way of course, some indifferent home form during September and early October as well as that first defeat of the season at Stevenage but overall, things have gone according to plan.

The win at Sheffield United was a real fillip, the Blades being strongly tipped to bounce straight back to the Championship.

Talk became more about automatic promotion than making the play-offs. The team had not really been given the recognition it deserved, the media had become fixated with Huddersfield’s record breaking unbeaten run. Chris Powell had not even been given the Manager Of The Month accolade, though that will surely be rectified when the November awards are announced.

Having broken Nottingham Forest’s record against – ironically – Notts County, Huddersfield’s next game brought them to The Valley last Monday.

That game proved to be a bridge too far for the Terriers and they lost for the first time since last December. The win saw Charlton go seven points clear of second placed Sheffield Wednesday and eight clear of Huddersfield.

Since then, the feel around the club has changed. The play-offs are no longer a topic of discussion, automatic promotion as champions is now expected. There is no complacency, no counting of chickens, no arrogance, just realisation that the current team is a bit special.

There is still a long way to go and luck with imponderables such as injuries, suspensions and a fixture pile up will be required, but these are heady times at The Valley and the long suffering fans may just be experiencing a season that will long stay in the memory.