The Charlton players celebrate scoring (By Keith Gillard)

What Charlton from games against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United

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What a couple of games they were, away at Wednesday then at home to United, taking on both sides of Sheffield in a week.

Chris Powell of course played down the importance of the two games, but most fans I'm sure realised how big they were and how pivotal they could be in our season. Many hailed them as the two most important matches of the season so far.

I, for one, would have been over the moon with four points and probably quietly satisfied with two draws, so to win both of them was a dream.

Before the game against Wednesday, we drove up to Sheffield on the Friday for a walk around Hillsborough (which didnt take long) and a shopping trip to Meadowhall (that took much longer). I'm glad we did as it meant we missed the carnage on the trains on Saturday with several hundred fans arriving late or not at all.

Wednesday are a typical Gary Megson side in the sense that they are horrible, nasty, vicious and very direct. I couldnt believe how little quality they showed. They possess a few half-decent players but elected to hit every ball long and high into our area.

Charlton's back four, especially Matt Taylor and Michael Morrison dealt admirably with everything they threw at us (literally). Ben Hamer had a few dodgy moments but we got away with it and one piece of real quality from JJ the skipper gained the win.

Next up was United at home and I was a little surprised at the crowd on the day. Not that 21,000 isnt very good in League One, but I had expected 24,000 at least.

United are a much better footballing side than their city counterparts, but still possess a physical side which, again, we stood up to well. Another piece of magic from the skipper, delivering a free-kick which was even better than the previous week proved to be the difference. Admittedly we didn't score from open play play in either game, but that's the fine line between success and failure.

So, what can't we do?

Bradley Wright-Phillips still can't score and Danny Green crosses impeccably but still can't tackle. I won't say we can't kill teams off, as it's only been these two tight ones which have had us perching us on the edge of our seats until the end recently, but we certainly had enough chances again to get the second goal. Hopefully that will come back during the next run of games.

Hamer seems to have developed a dislike for catching the ball, opting to punch badly too often. There are still a few dodgy decisions there too on whether to 'come out or stay'.

The signing of Danny Haynes looks a useful addition to the squad and has added some much needed pace. If he can add a goal or two soon, he may get a run in the side if Wright-Phillips doesnt score again soon and needs a rest. He's played the amount of games now this season to trigger another year on the contract.

We have got the top teams out of the way for a while now so hopefully, with a seven-point cushion, the expansive play and the goals will come back against the likes of Exeter, Bury, Rochdale and Chesterfield.

At this rate, by the time we go to Huddersfield at the end of March hopefully the result wont matter.

Brian will be writing a regular column on Charlton Athletic for London24 and the Kentish Times. He owns and publishes a local magazine covering North Kent called Gravesham and Medway life, and can be seen at www.gmlife.co.uk.