Only the later approach will enable Southampton to achieve the Chairman's ambitions for the club. A side which throws away points as soon as the pressure's off will never reach the second tier of Premiership clubs, never mind Europe.
Yesterday's game provided both sides with sufficient scoring opportunities but it will be Charlton who go away the most disappointed, especially after Saints fortuitous equaliser.
Saints were unable to open with their customary bright, attacking start after an injury to Matt Oakley after three minutes saw him struggle before being replaced by Jo Tessem. Tessem moved across to the left flank enabling Anders Svensson to move centrally, away from a role he is poor in.
Charlton opened the chances after eight minutes with Johansen's shot going straight at Jones. The early exercise didn't comfort the Saints 'keeper one jot as he almost gifted Euell the opener after the ball fell from his arms.
Jones' discomfort continued when after 16 minutes Charlton took the lead. Richard Rufus managed to get in front of the defence, form a long throw, to head the ball into the net. Dodd couldn't hook the ball away in time to prevent it crossing the line. Jones had come out to collect but made no contact a all. Both defence and keeper will have to have a long look at themselves for what was slack play all round.
Saints responded by getting their first corner but Charlton cleared easily. Although Robinson and Euell were looking dangerous, the next chance fell to Southampton, and was their best of the half. A ball from Rory Delap reached Beattie at the back post. Beattie's volley is saved point blank by the impressive Kiely.
Charlton continued to exploit the gaps left in Saints defence, especially as Bridge moved up. Kinsella shot over and Robinson's cross is headed over by Euell after good defensive work form Dodd. A Robinson freekick on the edge of the area should have produced something far better.
As the half drew to a close, Saints began to put on some pressure. A good spell around a series of Delap long throws. Svensson's shot was blocked and a second effort from the Swedish international from 25 yards was straight at Kiely.
Delap's shot was blocked just before the break. Saints weren't really that convincing up front with only the one real chance from Beattie. Charlton deserved to go into the break in the lead.
Saints started the second half well, with a Delap header, from a Bridge cross, bringing a save from Kiely.
A good Saints opportunity from a Beattie freekick, was squandered by a truly awful header form Jo Tessem.
There was an edge to many of the challenges in the match which belied this midtable encounter. challenges which saw Robinson booked in the first half continued in the second with Beattie picking up a yellow for a challenge on Fortune.
On 58 minutes Beattie's header went across goal toward the line but Rufus got it clear.
Although Saints were beginning to put pressure on the Charlton defence, it was the Addicks who nearly got a second. Tahar's lacklustre clearance goes straight to the opposition, and Jones had to make a great one handed save form Powell's shot from within the box.
Midway through the second period, Kiely deflected Beattie's shot and a volley from Delap is handled easily by the Charlton defence.
Pahars went off for Ormerod but Charlton's removal of Parker for Lisbie gave them a more attacking shape and a good spell of Charlton play followed.
Indeed Lisbie should have sealed the game for the home side on 76 minutes. A good run form Johanssen took him past both Bridge and Williams. This set up Lisbie but his close range shot went over the bar.
This would be a miss which Charlton would rue. After a penalty appeal for a challenge on Tessem was turned down Saints got themselves level on the next attack.
A ball into the ox looked at first to have been headed past Kiely for the equaliser. Subsequent viewing showed that the Moroccan only got the slightest of touches to the ball. The ball, in fact, went in off of Richard Rufus' head. Rufus obviously saw the ball quite late and the string contact he made on it was more than enough to beat his own 'keeper. Tahar's effort probably wasn't even on target.
Charlton almost went straight back in front but Konchesky's shot was blazed over. Charlton continued to put pressure on the Saints back line in a late push but Strachan's men held them off.
The last chance of the game fell to the visitors. A good run form Beattie enables him to get the ball across the box for Ormerod. Any hope of a winner vanished as the former Blackpool striker put it into the side netting. How I wished Pahrs had still been on the park.
In the end Saints will be happy to have got away with a point while Charlton will undoubtedly feel a bit hard done by. Saints desperately miss Marsden. When he's absent acres of space seem to appear down the left making Williams and Bridge look a bit vulnerable.
Paul Jones needs some competition for the number one jersey. He has yet to improve certain areas of his game, despite having been at the club for a number of years. While he's a great shot stopper, this simply isn't enough for the level Saints will want to reach.
Southampton drew in the match at The Valley. Review the information and discuss it on the messageboard.