Kiely wouldn't change a thing

Dean Kiely believes that the current campaign could be remembered as a pivotal season in Charlton's history.

Alan Curbishley's side are sixth in the table, despite losing their last two games, and Kiely thinks they have a great opportunity to establish themselves among the Premiership's top clubs. Charlton have finished ninth, 12th and 14th in the last three seasons and are aiming to break free of the mid-table log jam. Kiely said: "We've got players out of contract, new players have joined and things have gone well so far.

"If we keep improving it'll make Charlton a more attractive place to be. We have to take advantage of this opportunity and do as much as we can.

"The pleasing thing is that when you look around the training ground no one's resting on their laurels or taking anything for granted. We're all striving to reach new standards. We've got to keep improving. We've finished midtable in the last three seasons and want to do better than that. We have to show a progression."

Charlton have actually gone backwards in the last fortnight, with a home defeat to Leeds followed by last week's 3-2 loss at Southampton, but Kiely is confident they can bounce back at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

He said: "We have the ability to identify problems and put them right and tomorrow's game falls into that category. Middlesbroughdon't concede too many and are very well organised. It's going to be difficult but it's a challenge we relish."