Dale Stephens (By Keith Gillard)

Stephens’ return has been the highlight during a period of mixed emotions

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They say it’s what successful teams do – pick up points when not playing well. We’ve had an element of that lately.

Exeter away was a classic example of that. After an awful first half we improved marginally after the break. It was great to see the return of Dale Stephens, who made a real difference coming off the bench in the latter stages.

His return feels like a new signing as he seems to have been away forever, almost forgotten. No disrespect at all to his replacements – Bradley Pritchard has done better than anyone should have expected – however Dale offers something we’ve been missing recently. His ability to put his foot on the ball, dictate pace, and pick out passes normal players don’t even see is useful to say the least.

We also received a little bit of luck when we needed it, for a change, at Exeter when Danny Green’s ‘effort’ found its way over the line but we’ll take it. A couple of crucial saves from Ben Hamer made the difference too.

Following up with the rearranged midweek home game against Bury would then prove to be a formality, wouldn’t it? Oh no, this is Charlton. Well, actually, it’s just football.

Other fans keep on mentioning how we’re going to mess it all up and fall apart because that’s what Charlton do. My retort is, we are not the same players, manager or even owners as before. Everything is brand new and there is no resemblance to what’s gone before – it’s not going to happen this time.

Bradley Wright-Phillips was given an overdue a rest, something I feel would have happened a few games back if he didn’t need to play a certain number of games to activate the contract extension. So that wasn’t a surprise to me, but the inclusion of Leon Clarke. I fully expected the lightning fast Danny Haynes to partner Yann Kermorgant up front.

One thing I think we now know is that Clarke and Kermie shouldn’t ideally play together as they are too similar, each nullifying the other to a point.

Clarke was better than on his previous home outing, although his first touch will need to improve considerably. The introduction of Haynes later on upped the tempo and pace and his desire was there for all to see. Together with Pritchard, who also came off the bench, they made the difference.

It was a very cold night, the crowd was smaller than usual and seemed flat – as did the team. The goal of the season so far from the aforementioned Mr Stephens rescued a point for us and left mixed feelings of disappointment and relief were with me.

Bury seemed to score against the run of play and with their only effort on target, whereas we had bundles of chances and couldn’t convert. Green still can’t tackle, Hamer still has trouble catching – and even punching properly sometimes – but somehow everything is still okay. We are getting away with it.

Overall it was four points gained when it could easily have been one, or none at all.

Following the Rochdale postponement, we set off to Chesterfield and loaded the car up with enough warm clothing to dress and army.

Alas, another postponement followed, so we wandered around the crooked spire and the ground – so at least I can say I have been there, but just not seen any football played!

Brian will be writing a regular column on Charlton Athletic for London24 and the Kentish Times. He owns and publishes a local magazine covering North Kent called Gravesham and Medway life, and can be seen at www.gmlife.co.uk.