ADDICKS columnist MATIAS GREZ is arguably one of the few Charlton fans genuinely excited about what the FA Cup third round draw produced – a home meeting against lower league opposition.

AFTER throwing away victory at Yeovil, it was left to the FA Cup third round draw to try and work its magic and perhaps breathe new life into our season.

The draw has been kind to us yet again and we’ve been given a good opportunity to make it into the fourth round should we take the competition seriously this time unlike in previous years.

It is not Manchester United away as most of us had hoped it would be, but it does provide the opportunity to advance in the competition and earn a little extra much-needed cash.

After one win in six league games, the FA Cup should provide a welcome distraction to the relegation fight we now find ourselves in.

A win of any kind, including against lower league opposition in the cup, is guaranteed to boost morale, and the players and manager look like they need it.

After comfortably brushing Oxford United aside earlier in the season with a strong but largely second string team, Chris Powell should be looking to do the same come January 4.

Our poor record in cup competitions is no accident and, barring the run to the third round against Fulham as a League One team during our promotion winning season, we have had very little to cheer.

Last season’s third round defeat at home to Huddersfield summed up how little importance Powell placed on the competition after having previously said he wanted a good cup run.

And at the start of this season Powell again spoke of his desire to go on a cup run, something he will have to prove with a strong team selection in the FA Cup after another sobering defeat at the hands of Huddersfield put an end to our League Cup hopes.

Personally, I love the FA Cup and dream of us finally being on the right end of a giant killing.

After seeing the team underperform against lower league opposition year in, year out, I want to see the players and manager actually look like they want to get into the next round.

I want the team to get used to winning again and transfer that winning feeling from the cup into the league.

When you get stuck in a rut, as we are at the moment, it’s very difficult to drag yourself out of it.

I firmly believe a few FA Cup wins can be the catalyst for us to propel ourselves up the league and get rid of any lingering relegation worries.

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