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Look around at points earned by the top teams in the English Leagues so far this season.

Premiership

Chelsea 2.57 points per game
Man United 2.21

Championship

Newcastle 2.17
West Brom 2.05

League 1

Leeds 2.5
Charlton 2.05

League 2

Rochdale 2
Bournemouth 1.94

Conference
Oxford 2.36
Stevenage 2.04

Our performances justify our position in second. The seemingly insurmountable gap between us and Leeds is down to their outstanding form and consistency. League 1 might well be considered to be a difficult division this year with plenty of tough teams, but the problem for us, is no one seems to have told Leeds. Only Chelsea in the Premiership have a better points per game ratio out of the top five divisions.

I know the thoughts a lot of Charlton fans had late last night and this morning. We are going up. I had that dream too.

1      Leeds United      18      27      45
2     Charlton     19     17     39
3     Norwich     19     16     35
4     Colchester     19     14     33
5     Huddersfield     19     19     31
6     Bristol Rovers     19     -2     31
7     Walsall     19     6     30
8     Millwall     19     9     29
9     MK Dons     19     -2     29
10     Swindon     17     1     28
11     Hartlepool     19     -2     23

The positives for us include being four and six points clear of third and fourth. Nine points into the playoff places. The top ten have also broken away from the rest of the division. It's difficult seeing a promotion contender coming from outside that group. We have also already played away games at Leeds, Norwich and Colchester. It would seem our toughest games of the season are already done and dusted.

On the field we have shown we can cope with an injury crisis and at least until the new year we seem to have a decent striking partnership. We can put out two formations 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2 and still expect a decent result.

On the downside we have two potential problems mainly outside of our control - Leeds and Norwich. Only two teams go up automatically and a betting man would put his house on Leeds being one of those. Norwich have recovered from a poor start to the season. But they always had a strong group of quality players and now they are starting to show it. Both these teams also have natural goalscorers, playing in a division which is beneath their ability. They will find it easier to difficult away games when everything else fails to click.

Financially Leeds are in the most stable position and this is an important issue to consider. They will not be seeing any newspaper articles warning of their demise in the coming months. Charlton and Norwich may not be able to say the same.

If needed Leeds have the funds to buy quality players in January. Charlton and Norwich might struggle to hold onto what they have.

At least Norwich can fall back on squad depth, whilst Charlton it seems would not be able to rely on Dickson, McLeod, Fleetwood or Tuna. Sure we have the numbers, but they either no longer breathe or believe in the Valley way, are not good enough or are to young and inexperienced.

What will we do if Mooney and Akpo Sodje return to their respective clubs? Would we have to bed in new loanees? Rely on what we've got? Without them would we be able to gain promotion? Could we even afford to sign them permanently?

So despite our deserved spot in an automatic promotion position the directors job is far from finished this season.

I'm not really sure what to make of tonights game. If we were playing at home then we would destroy a Brighton side who are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

But we are playing away and this makes the game an entirely different proposition.

A score draw is probably the most likely result. If we want to consider ourselves automatic promotion candidates then this is the kind of game the players will need to be up for. We must go for the win.

I can see the side being much stronger than our last game. Of course in goal Ikeme has left the club. Hopefully this means the return of Elliot. This would bring much needed stability.

Richardson will hopefully be fit to play at right back. So important is he to the stability of the side. I would say if he plays ninety minutes then we will win the game.

Youga would return to the left back slot if Richardson returns.

Dailly would be joined by a suspension free Sodje in central defence.

Central midfield picks itself with Semedo and Bailey in fine from. Down the right Sam has no real opposition. The left hand side could be covered by anyone from Racon, Basey, Shelvey, Wagstaff to Holden. It's an away game so I would go for the in form Basey with an eye on defensive duties initially.

Upfront its great to see that players are really competing to partner Burton. Mooney has earned his place and should start. Akpo Sodje has had such a fine impact from the bench that he will surely play at some point.

To be honest a clinical assessment of our team would suggest an easy win despite Brightons recent form showing improvement. But our away form is not good and for some reason I'm feeling nervous about the game. An early goal for us could be very important.

Sometimes it takes a couple of wins to turn desperation into hope.

Being a football fan is a rollercoaster ride with highs and lows.

Our recent wins over the MK Dons and Bristol Rovers has restored hope that we might be part of the promotion party come the end of the season.

Our away form is still a worry but our next two away fixtures at Brighton and Stockport couldn't be easier. This doesn't mean I think we will win them both. Just that we have a realistic chance of putting the bad run to sleep.

Even though Leeds are currently running away with the division we have been lucky that the form of the other promotion contenders has been as inconsistent as ours.

We've battled through the poor run though and look like we have turned things around.

The most important factor over the last couple of weeks is that we have suddenly discovered how to play 4-4-2 again. Moving Bailey back into the centre has played a crucial role in this success.

Our team is far from perfect, we now have a weakness on the left hand side of midfield, expect it to be filled by a variety of decent players who can no longer get into the team in their natural position.

The right back position has suffered through an injury crisis. Considering we have been playing 3rd and 4th choice right backs we have done well.

Up front Mooney and Sodje have transformed the forward line. Burton though is still our most important striker. His experience, ability to hold up the ball and consistency will be vital until the end of the season.

Mooneys loan has been extended until the end of the year. Hopefully we will be able to offload McLeod, Dickson and Fleetwood in the January transfer window and perhaps sign Mooney and Sodje on a permanent basis.

In goal, Carl Ikeme has returned to Wolves (and then been loaned out again to Sheff Utd). I'm assuming this means Rob Elliot is now fit.

If Darren Randolph starts our next game I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ikeme's loan to us stated that he start all league games. After he signed, I think it was obvious the difference between Ikeme and Randolph, in terms of ability was marginal and the additional wage cost could not be justified.

I have to admit with all the loan ins and outs I'm still a bit worried by our finances. I'm convinced we still have to gain promotion this year.

Last weeks win over the MK Dons left me with a smile on my face for at least 3 days. After a dismal few weeks I was proud to be a Charlton Athletic fan once again.

However I still have a niggling feeling that the players only turn up for top of the table clashes.

An away game against mid table Yeovil is likely to prove or disprove this theory.

Whatever Yeovil have to offer I'm convinced we have the players to win the game. It just depends on how much they want it. Right back Richardson is missing through his ongoing hamstring injury and his importance has become obvious. When he doesn't play we lose. Personally i'd move Youga to right back and Basey would come in on the left. My other option would be Dailly at right back and Llera at centre back. We seem to show more stability with Charlton players on the pitch rather than loanees so I would discount any other option. I can't see Parkinson agreeing with me on this one though.

We have now lost 3 games in a row and have put in our worst performances of the season.

On our previous bad runs which have brought us down to league 1, the blame, was difficult to assign.

Was it the board and takeover talk, poor management and team selection or lack of effort from the players.

This time the majority of blame must be directed towards the players. But considering the classy Carlisle goals and the money status of Southampton the only game where we could have had a better outing was the Northwich FA Cup game.

Lets put this all into perspective. We are out of two cup competitions. One of which we had no chance of winning, the other completely pointless. We've dropped only three points and that was an away game, our furthest trip north of the season where the opposing side scored two out and out stunning goals. It happens.

The game last night against Southampton had nothing to do with form or ability. It was about history and who wanted it more. The Saints put out the strongest possible side and whilst playing at home we were always going to be up against it. Most people talk about Southamptons 10 point deducation and have them as a playoff team at best. All I see is the richest club in League 1. They can and have spent 1million on at least one player this season. They can and have offered wages no one else can cover. As the season grows they will become more and more dangerous, as it is they were the form side in the game.

I wanted Parkinson to try something new. He dropped or rested a significant proportion of the first team, including Bailey and Racon from midfield.

He experimented with Spring and Semedo in central defence. Llera came back into central defence whilst Youga switched to right back and Basey played on the left. We had two out and out wingers in Wagstaff and Sam. With Shelvey in the attacking midfield/supporting striker role. Mooney was upfront on his own.

We lost 2-1 but this was not a close game. Southampton dominated the first half and although we improved in the second period we were always hanging on.

But we did gain real value from this game.

Parkinson would have learnt a lot about his side especially the fringe players. Winger Holden came on as a sub and gave a decent if raw performance. McKenzie, also a sub, scored and looks to be gaining match fitness.

The much talked about 4-4-1-1 formation was used again and it is now obvious this only works with a fit Burton.

The difference between Mooney playing upfront alone and as part of a partnership with Burton as he did in the closing stages was drastic. Like two different players. The key here is when he had the ball he looked like a good player with a couple of fine shots. Holden who provided the cross for our goal might be closer to a finished product then we first thought. His pace was scary.

Although I would like to think Parkinson was dropping players in reaction to our FA Cup loss it became obvious with the substitutions of Sam and Semedo that he was resting key first teamers for the league game against MK Dons. I have no problem with this.

For some reason we spent the majority of the first half playing the long ball game. With one upfront this was always going to be a fruitless endeavour.

The one player who was lost in the mix, was Jonjo Shelvey, playing in his current position, the game passed him by. He barely had a touch. You can blame formation but also inexperience plays a part. Almost from the first minute he abandoned his role and dropped deeper to become more involved in the game. It failed and left Mooney isolated. You can't blame the kid. The result would have still been the same if he had stuck to his assigned task. The problem was the formation.

If we can only play well with Burton in a 4-4-1-1 then we need to switch permanently to 4-4-2. I think for the majority of players this is a more natural formation.

However in a 4-4-2 unless we play Spring and Semedo, midfield defensive cover for the defense is weak. We might score more goals but we would certainly concede more as well.

I think we should pick the best 11 players to fill a 4-4-2 formation rather than the best 11 players we have.

For what it's worth this would be my team if all players were fit.

Elliot in goal. The back up goalkeeper is a dilemma. Based on recent performances I believe Randolph gives us more stability at the back. Knowing he is unlikely to be offered a new contract and is clearly third choice behind on-loan Ikeme can't help.

Right back would clearly be Richardson with Solly as back up. For the time being I would move Dailly across. He's the fittest player at the club and is experienced in this position.

In central defence I would recall Llera and partner with Sodje. We would like pace but both provide a true physical presence.

On the left I would play Youga. This is just me but I think he is regaining some confidence and consistency.

In midfield we have been light weight. Semedo even with five in midfield is the only true ball winner. I think we need two attacking midfielders and two defensive. On the right Sam is a nailed on starter. However over on the left I would go with Basey due to his ability to both attack and defend. He's not perfect but he gives us width and should complement Youga well.

In Central defense Semedo would play the defensive role and this would allow Bailey, as captain, to be at the heart of team play.

Burton would partner McKenzie upfront. Both have the experience and knowledge to take advantage of most defences.

On the bench I would like to see Shelvey, who I see competing for the Bailey role, and Holden who can play wide left or right. Mooney and yes McLeod are decent cover for the striking roles.

The odd man out in all of this is Racon. His form has not been good. As an attacking midfielder if you don't provide assists or goals then I'm not sure what value you bring to a team. He needs to be dropped to regain his motivation.

Of course I'm not the manager. Which is definitely a good thing. Parkinson will make his own choice and due to the teams fielded on this losing streak he now has more information on what works and what doesn't. Let's hope he learns from those lessons starting with the MKDons.