CHARLTON manager Chris Powell has warned his League One leaders about the dangers of complacency ahead of this weekend’s trip to Exeter City.

The Addicks head to the south west with confidence sky high following back-to-back wins over Sheffield title rivals Wednesday and United.

Powell’s side face three of League One’s lesser lights in the space of eight days, starting with Saturday’s visit to St James’ Park.

But the Valley chief feels his side now face a harder test than they encountered against either of the Steel City big two.

“It will be a tough game for us because we played the two Sheffield games and they needed no real hyping,” explained Powell.

“Those fixtures are big games in themselves and we got a great points return and some plaudits for it.

“People will now look at this week in a different way but I actually think it is tougher for my players and our supporters because with Exeter away, Bury at home and Rochdale at home, people will be looking at that thinking they’re games we should get a favourable points return.

“But I think we have to work harder, they are games we really have to get to grips with early on and Exeter will be a tough test.”

He added: “They play good football and have a good manager who has been around a while and been managing at a good level for a number of years and they will play their stuff and see us as a big scalp coming to their patch.

“It is up to us to manage that.

“We played against them earlier in the season and they played particularly well but went down to 10-men.

“We were relatively patient with the ball and in the end the goals came from Bradley Wright-Phillips and Dale Stephens.

“Of course I would love that to happen again on Saturday but we will be made to really work hard to take the game to them because at home they are pretty decent.”

Powell also denied it was precisely because of the week Charlton have coming up they have such a big squad this season, although he did concede it might be fully utilised over three games.

“No, I have it because I want good players at this football club,” he said.

“There may be a chance for other people in the three games, whether that is through rest, injuries or suspensions you need quality and I have quality in abundance.

“I’m fortunate in that respect.

“I know that players I have left out could quite easily play at this level for us and for other teams.

“It is about balance, it is about trying to keep them happy.

“That’s not easy because nobody wants to sit in the stands, but they know it is part of football.

“A lot of players could come into play this week without a doubt because they’re not easy 90 minutes at League One level, regardless of who you are playing.

“It is a tough effort week in week out to produce the standard that you want, but the players have done so.

“They’ve really pushed themselves and I’ve got to make sure the XI I pick are right, refreshed and ready to play.”

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