Davis seeks more Alex threat

Davis seeks more Alex threat

Published Feb. 28, 2013 1:15 p.m. ET

Charlton boss Chris Powell feels his side could need more than 50 points to guarantee their Championship surival this season.

The Addicks are currently on 43 points, eight clear of the relegation zone, ahead of Saturday's home game against Burnley.

"Everyone talks about 50 points but I think it will be a bit more this year because of the nature of the league," said Powell.

"It's very tight and the players know what they need to do over our last 12 games.

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"Just look at the week Leicester have had. They lost to us, drew away at Blackpool and beat Blackburn, who have been on a terrific run.

"It's just up and down for everyone and it can be tough for supporters as well as players.

"You feel 'my team is in a good place' and then you don't win for five or six games and everyone asks 'what's going on?' Then you can win again. It's very up and down."

The Bees gave their survival hopes a huge boost on Tuesday as goals from Jake Hyde and player-boss Edgar Davids secured a valuable three points.

Byrne said: "It was a very scrappy game but we dug in and got the three points which is exactly what we wanted.

"We have played well recently but against Southend we also showed that we can win ugly when we have to.

"Earlier on in the season we would not have come away from that kind game with a win but now we are grinding out results.

"That has allowed us to progress up the table and the more points we pick up, the more teams get dragged into trouble.

"We have to take each game as it comes so right now we are focused on what is a massive game on Saturday against Plymouth Argyle.

"Hopefully we can build on a good win and get another three points."

Only four points separate the top seven clubs, with the Blades currently lying in second place, one point behind leaders Doncaster and one better off than third-place Tranmere.

"The fact that there have been three leaders of the division in the space of a week suggests things will continue to change at the top," Wilson told a press conference ahead of Saturday's game at Oldham.

"Our aim remains to stay in the shake-up and, obviously, we want to keep our heads above our rivals if possible.

"I think it could all go down to the wire and we have to make sure we are ready to fight all the way to the end.

"On Tuesday only Doncaster won in the top six; this weekend everyone could go and win - that's how things seem to go in this league.

"It's a funny situation that develops in a football season. When things look to be plain sailing you drop points and all of a sudden you're in the pack again."

The Railwaymen drew a blank during Tuesday's disappointing 3-0 reverse at Hartlepool and Saturday's League One clash with Torquay could see a recall for top scorer Mathias Pogba, along with highly-rated youngster Max Clayton.

"We didn't create enough chances and didn't get in behind them enough," Davis told his club's official website. "We have tried different players in different positions and in different systems to make us more of a threat.

"At Hartlepool we were slow to get bodies in the box and have those forwards with a real desire to get in there and get a goal.

"The forward players have to realise that they are in the team to score goals and create chances. They aren't going to get many if they are not in the box and having shots.

"There was a whole host of things to look at after Hartlepool and making us more of threat in the final third is one of them."

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