ADDICKS blogger MATIAS GREZ isn’t convinced the play-offs are realistic at this late stage as Charlton’s unbeaten run continues but is at least more optimistic about next season’s prospects.

CHRIS Powell’s men are getting more and more impressive by the match.

Last night’s goalless draw against Cardiff was one of the performances of the season in terms of desire, effort and sheer determination.

Whether it was as impressive as the 6-0 mauling of Barnsley is up for debate, as each display was vastly different to the other.

Much has been said about the fact there were six different goal scorers against Barnsley, but for me the most impressive aspect was the clean sheet.

Even at three, four, five and six nil up, the players did not get complacent once and saw out their defensive duties as though they were defending just a one-goal lead.

Until five games ago, a run of results had left all Charlton fans anxiously looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone, with only three points separating us from 22nd place.

Now, being the in-form side in the league, the players have us looking upwards towards sixth and the play-offs, as opposed to downwards and the fear of relegation.

Personally, six points to make up with only three games left is too big of an ask, but this current run of form has made me optimistic next season will be one of progression and not another one of consolidation.

However, if there are people out there who still believe sixth place is achievable, then I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be hopeful.

In a season which hasn’t exactly been full of highs, it’s perfectly understandable people want to take this late opportunity to ride a wave of success.

We have now gone five games undefeated and managed to keep three clean sheets in the process, all of which coming away from home, naturally.

The central defensive partnership of Michael Morrison and Dorian Dervite is becoming rather formidable with each of their styles of play complementing the other.

It is clear Powell believes he has finally found his best starting XI, and the recent run of results more than back this up.

His consistency in selecting the same XI every match has been key to our recent success and I finally feel as though Powell is learning his trade as a manager.

Too often during the season he has been found wanting tactically and been outsmarted by opposition managers, most notably in the home defeat to Millwall.

His substitutions, or rather lack of them, had got vast amounts of people frustrated throughout the season but he is now using players off the bench to brilliant effect, whether it’s to settle the team down or to try and chase the three points.

Andy Hughes has to get a personal mention, as he has been outstanding since his return from more than a year out with an Achilles injury.

It is no coincidence this current unbeaten run has coincided with his return to the first team.

It is now essential we keep the momentum going until the end of the season, in particular with our remaining three matches all looking winnable.

A strong finish would give the red part of south-east London a real feel good factor going into next season, and possibly even see us finish above a Crystal Palace side in freefall.

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