Addicks show an upturn in fortune

FIVE victories in seven games so far have helped Charlton already move into a position of threat near the top of Sky Bet League One.

While off-field controversy has engulfed the club in recent times, manager Karl Robinson has overseen a dramatic reversal in fortunes in his attempts to wrest the Addicks back on an upward trajectory.

Athletic's 1-0 last season defeat of Charlton back in February was the catalyst for a wretched run of seven further defeats in the next eleven games.

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By the time Northampton beat them 2-1, the club from South London were only six points clear of the relegation zone, with 11 fixtures left.

Four wins in the final five games, featuring four goals from Ricky Holmes, saw Robinson's men finish in a relatively comfortable position of 13th.

And that upturn of form has continued well into 2017-18.

Charlton - reportedly interested in getting Wigan's Will Grigg on board before tonight's deadline - are missing the services of striker Josh Magennis for Saturday's trip north and if they are still challenging for promotion come the next window, then Robinson says he will have the chance to spend.

"If we're in the mix and we're up there and competing, then it's time to press the button and really drive it home," Robinson, who has Magennis away on international duty with Northern Ireland, told the South London Press.

"That's got to be our objective, in some ways.

"If we get to January I can guarantee they'll be knocking on the door and saying 'listen - go and get the best striker you can buy'. Go and spend whatever you've got to spend.

"Reeco [Hackett-Fairchild] showed as third-choice striker he is very confident in what we're trying to do.

"It's internal growth and development in some ways of these young players.

"This team we've got now is more than capable of competing and keeping themselves in the top half - or the top six.

"Over a course of the season we've got a very strong squad to compete."

Lee Novak - sent off in the opening-day 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers - is set to deputise for Magennis, with veteran Johnnie Jackson in for Jay Dasilva, who is away with England's under-20s squad.