The self-confessed biggest disappointment of Chris Powell’s managerial career is now throwing up the biggest challenge.
Powell’s words were honest and brave as he attempts to bounce from one to the other. But the averted eyes, looking away or mostly down, told of exactly how difficult it will be for Charlton to raise themselves from the foot of the Championship after they were beaten in the FA Cup quarter-finals by the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
Powell knows it and seemed to wonder aloud whether a campaign of disruption at The Valley, whether it be the club’s torturous takeover or a poor pitch causing a fixture backlog, would dog him to the last.
“It’s been ongoing all season,” said Powell after the 2-0 defeat at League One Sheffield United. “We had the takeover which was quite protracted and we lost players, some sold and some through injury.
“We’ve had a chink of light with the FA Cup run. It’s an opportunity gone but we can’t dwell on it. We’ve got to create another chink of light in the League.”
Easier said than done, even with several games in hand on rivals and the first of them, at home against Huddersfield on Wednesday, after a crushing disappointment.
Charlton had the game under control until Callum Harriott missed a great chance just past the hour. It proved pivotal as the Blades broke for quickfire strikes from Ryan Flynn and John Brayford, whose shot was cruelly deflected.
“We had a gear or two more than we showed,” Powell said. “We needed more quality and we should have defended the first goal better.
“People talk about the Cup being a distraction but look at how we feel and how Sheffield United feel.
“The games we’ve got coming up are huge now. We’ll have to get over this pretty quickly.
“I’d rather have the points than extra games but it’s in our hands. We’ll do our level best to get over this defeat and recover as quickly as possible.”
