A massive point to lift the mood at Charlton

In the current circumstances for Charlton Athletic, Saturday's point away at Birmingham City was massive.

It has been a torrid time of late for the Addicks - the passing of one of our great fans, Norman Barker, a wretched run of five straight defeats, and a growing list of injuries we have had to endure.

At last, a result and a performance to lift the mood as we embark on a run of games against sides around us in fixtures that could define our season.

You could see it written all over Nathan Jones' face in the post-match interviews - the sheer relief this away point brought.

Given our recent form, the constant shuffling of the pack, and Birmingham's formidable home record, you could forgive our players for wanting to stay tucked under their hotel duvets when they woke up in the West Midlands on the morning of the game.

Birmingham's home form has been phenomenal - just one defeat in their previous 34 league matches, with 27 wins and six draws. They've also been scoring for fun, as Norwich, Millwall and Portsmouth can recently testify.

More reasons to be cheerful…

It was exciting to see Karoy Anderson step into midfield and show real bite and tenacity.

After my rallying call in the Middlesbrough write-up, I was absolutely delighted to see Tyreece Campbell get off the mark with our equalising goal.

And with Tanto Olaofe terrorising defences once more - playing a big part in Charlton's equaliser - there's genuine optimism for what's ahead.

If Miles Leaburn can catch fire too, this team, with players returning and perhaps a few fresh faces in the January window, could yet bring us Addicks fans real joy in the second half of the season.

Leaburn did spurn a glorious chance in the first half - the great Dennis Bergkamp might have advised him to stay ice-cold in the moment of execution. Middlesbrough's Riley McGree and Morgan Whittaker showed just how it's done in our last home game.

Now comes a full week to prepare before Oxford United visit SE7 - a game where nothing less than three points will do. It's an opportunity to pull further clear of the sides hovering around those League One trapdoor places.

Perish the thought...