The calculator has been out as we crunch the numbers on Championship safety - a repeat of Charlton Athletic's recent form will make it a happy ending

Defensive strength offers encouragement but that needs to remain with only four clubs lower scorers

Harry Clarke crosses against QPR/Picture: Paul Edwards

Have you heard the story about the Championship team in the past 15 seasons that got relegated despite finishing on 55 points?

You haven’t?

Well, there is a good reason for that. It never happened.

Charlton have averaged 1.2 points per game from their last 10 matches. If they are able to maintain that for the remaining 16 fixtures this season then they will collect another 19 points.

Nineteen plus thirty-six equals 55. You can see why I managed (just about) to pass my maths GCSE. Although I did need extra after-school sessions.

Now I know there will be plenty of people reading this saying ‘there is no way that many points will be needed to stay up’. But Barnsley required 55 to finish fourth from bottom in the 2012-13 campaign.