Today's match could be pivotal

Today's run-of-the-mill home game to Burnley is threatening to take on added significance as it could prove to be pivotal in the playing fortunes of our team. Charlton blogs and bulletin boards have been awash with regulars declaring their loyalty to the club and their determination to ensure we get a positive atmosphere at the Valley tomorrow and that the team at least start with a twelfth man in the stands. 

It wasn't just regular posters either - Chairman Derek Chappell has even appeared on Charlton Life with the same message. Yes, it could have been a dog masquerading as the Chairman, but at least his answers read like they could have come from the Chairman e.g. he can't "hate" Millwall now that he's the Chairman, he only dislikes them (Non One Likes them Derek).

So, if we get a result tomorrow and the fans go home happy, we could have started something of a fightback. Conversely, if the atmosphere is improved but the performance and result aren't, it's hard to see what's going to change in the coming weeks. After today we face three aways in the next four and Ipswich, Plymouth and Birmingham will provide a meagre return which could see us slipping into the drop zone. That's a nightmare scenario because we played like relegation candidates for the last half of last season and simply couldn't arrest the decline. It would be hard to see how we would get out of it with no money and ongoing financial pressures.

But I'll finish on a positive note - a decent team performance today will build the support from the stands and, I suspect, a standing ovation at the end if we leave the field with three points. That would give us some much needed confidence for Portman Road on Tuesday and set a winning expectation for the Barnsley home game next week. Six or more points in the next 8 days would see us move comfortably back to the middle of the table and give us something to build on.

COME ON YOU REDS!