Perry: Why Charlton belong in Europe

Chris Perryman believes Charlton deserve a UEFA Cup spot as a reward for their dramatic improvement over the past decade.

Charlton have been transformed from a homeless and bankrupt club to an established Premiership force in little more than 10 years, with a European place the logical next step in their climb.

Having narrowly missed out last season, Alan Curbishley's side are again well placed as the campaign reaches it's climax, only two points off the top six ahead of tomorrow's trip to Portsmouth.

Perry said: "A club like Charlton deserve to get into Europe with the amount they've achieved over the past 10 or 15 years. It would be a fitting honour and we would really give it a go.

"Europe isn't mentioned too much, but the manager has said that we're really in the mix and we've got as good a chance as anyone of nicking that seventh spot. That seems to be our aim at the moment.

"It would be fantastic to get into Europe again as I'm getting on a bit now and my career is coming towards the end.

"It's a completely different experience in going to these places and playing against the different styles of play and techniques."

Charlton's European challenge has faded badly towards the end of the past two seasons and there are mounting fears that history could be repeating itself.

The Addicks have won just one of their last seven matches and were woeful against Manchester City in last Saturday's 2-2 draw, but Perry insists they have no intention of giving up the fight.

He said: "People do always seem to remind us of it, so obviously it's always in the background that we've slipped up before and, if we do have a bad run, people jump on the bandwagon and say it's happening again.

"We're just working hard to get as many points as we can and it's certainly not down to lack of trying."

Curbishley was furious with his side's display against City, in which Perry grabbed a last-minute equaliser, and has warned he may ring the changes against Portsmouth.

He said: "If any of the squad are lucky enough to play tomorrow they had better take their chance. We were so abysmal in the first half that it shocked me.

"I needed to lie down with a cold towel over my face after that.

"We're desperate to get something at Portsmouth now.

"Last year we finished seventh and this year there'll be criticism if we don't do the same again. We're trying our hardest but it's all about pride at the moment."

Centre-back Talal El Karkouri is suspended but out-of-favour striker Francis Jeffers could return to the starting line-up.

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