Charlton make the tricky looking trip to Lincoln this evening for a match which, when combined with Saturday's visit of fourth-placed Bolton Wanderers, may tell us quite a bit about how this season may pan out.
What is already clear, is that Michael Appleton has enjoyed a good start to his role in the hot-seat at the Valley. Unbeaten in seven, we have started scoring again and several players in particular are in rich form.
A nagging doubt remains our defensive frailty and an ability to hand the opposition goals from nowhere. However, unlike Dean Holden, Appleton has at least settled on a formation (a back 4) and has largely been sticking with the same personnel of Thomas, Jones, Hector and Watson. We could really do with another clean sheet to follow the one on Saturday but Lincoln will possess more threat and put us under more pressure.
It could be another important game for George Dobson and Louie Watson, who have been doing a lot of protective work between them to help the back four. That means our 'front four' will be critical to us potentially winning the match. I really would like to see two upfront and with Chuks out again, it has to be Leaburn and May. I think the two man attack would help us keep a stronger counter-attacking threat which might just prevent the Imps from getting larger periods of pressure. Key to that decision has to be who will do the carrying and supply from midfield. Blackett-Taylor has to start on the left and following his performance from the bench on Saturday, Tyreece Campbell must start ahead of Tedic who is not a midfielder.
If, if we can avoid defeat tonight we should be buoyed for a real challenge on Saturday. A point will keep the kettle boiling and keep us in the picture. A win would inevitably see us rise several places towards the play-off spots and give us a real incentive join the hunt proper on Saturday.
It would be a remarkable turnaround from where Dean Holden left us and a real confidence booster for all at the club.
I would love to think it may also bolster a bigger board-level conversation about what to do come January. Money must be very tight given the run-rate and the fact that our revenues must be relatively flat thus far. Gates have yet to improve notably although they might just be about to rise if the current progress and attacking football is maintained. I have no doubt that without the impact Appleton has had thus far, we would have seen some movement of players (in and out) which would have netted us cash to keep us going without further boardroom investment but obviously left us potentially weaker. Given the likely sums involved, that promise of a very unlikely looking promotion two months ago, might just encourage a workaround to support a push, if that looks remotely possible. As I said, a big week. Two defeats and we may well be back to boom and bust.
Judging from tonight's performance and result, boom or bust could well be on its way.
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