CHARLTON boss Chris Powell admits he would love his side to somehow sneak into the top six by the end of play on May 4.

The Addicks need maximum points from their final two matches and for results elsewhere to go their way to have a chance of making it into the end of season lottery.

Powell would be thrilled if the unlikely scenario became a reality, but will still be delighted with a top 10 finish if the an unlikely play-off spot failed to materialise.

“I just couldn’t tell you what would happen if we finished sixth,” he said.

“That would come out of nowhere. We know it’s a very, very tall order.

“We have to rely on other people as well as doing our own job.

“But I think a top 10 finish from where this club has been and following on from a real successful year last year, for us to finish in the top 10 would be an outstanding season for us.

“A lot of fans wouldn’t say it now, but I’m sure before we played Birmingham (in August), they would have been happy finishing fourth from bottom.

“The way it has panned out, the way it has gone and the runs we’ve had - winning games and not winning games and bouncing back - I think it has been quite an eye opener of a season but one actually when you look back on it, you can enjoy it.

“There were some down moments and some great moments, but it’s still not over.

“There could be something amazing round the corner, but if it isn’t I think we have got to look back at it as a real successful season this year.”

The opportunity of making the top six has been made possible by an unbeaten run which began after the international break in March.

But despite their strong finish to the campaign, Powell does not believe the current run will have much bearing on the start of next season.

He explained: “I’m not a believer in that because so many changes happen with players coming and going and I just think you are in a good place and then you have your break.

“It has happened, I understand that.

“I just think that we have shown people we can play and compete in this league, I have always had that in my mind that we could do it and we have done.

“That in itself has shown me that these players can perform at this level.

“I would like to be unbeaten when the whistle blows at 3pm against Bristol City and then we move onto next year.

“It’s a great place for us to be in at this time.

“We have had some great results recently, away at Brighton and Cardiff 0-0 and not conceding against two sides who are arguably the two best in the league.

“To beat Barnsley with a record win for us, we have got a lot to look back on with pride and that definitely outweighs the negative points of this season.

“I am very happy with the players and our return this year because it’s never easy coming up from League One, competing against three sides that have just come out of the Premier League with what they have got in their squad and finances.

“It is superb where we are at and it could be even better yet.”

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