What a surprise - a Belgian in charge at Charlton

My last view of Ewood on Sunday just before Dyche took his curtain call

It was a bad weekend for them. On Sunday they were beaten by Sheffield United in the cup but a day earlier they'd seen all of the other four clubs in the bottom five win, a sequence of results that sees them two points adrift.

Today they sacked manager Chris Powell and it didn't take a genius to work out that before the desk was cleared there would be a Belgian and a former Standard Liege manager installed.

That's what's happened. It's José Riga who won the Belgian second division with RAEC Mons and then took Standard to the last 16 of the Europa League two seasons ago. Alongside him will be another new appointment, that of Karel Fraeye who will be his assistant.

This morning, owner Roland Duchâtelet said: "We have been working with Chris Powell and his representatives for a couple of weeks to try and agree a contract extension which would have seen us continue to work together."

He added: "We could not reach an agreement over the club's football strategy going forward. The situation put a strain on the working relationship between Chris and the board. Therefore I think it is best for all parties that we part ways at this stage."

One Charlton fan today wrote about Powell. "He'd come within a season of getting Charlton back to exactly where they should be. A solid club, with great community ties, envied youth development and an enjoyable place to watch your football. That identity is in deep trouble now."

It's not been a good few days to be a Charlton fan then. They started the weekend in the FA Cup but in 22nd place in the league, just one point from safety. They ended it out of the FA Cup, bottom of the league and four points from safety. And with the club now completely run by Belgians.

The two clubs just above them were Doncaster and Millwall; they both won as did Yeovil and Barnsley who were the two clubs below them.

Those results have certainly dropped Blackpool into the relegation battle. Right now they are six points away from the bottom three but many more results like this and they'll be more than looking over their shoulders. I saw an interview with Barry Ferguson after they'd lost to Bournemouth on Saturday. I have to say I am very thankful he's not our manager.

Two of those wins at the bottom were greeted with delight in our part of East Lancashire. I sat watching Jeff Stelling on Saturday as first Barnsley went in front against Forest and then Millwall took the lead at Derby, just as Paul Merson was telling us they weren't in the game.

Those results certainly helped us, with only QPR in the top five registering a win. That was until Sunday of course when the one Championship game went, could I possibly suggest, in our favour.

Whatever happens in the next few weeks, I am just relieved we are not a Charlton, or a Watford, or a Leeds where the dodgy Italian might just get control this week.

Sean Dyche made reference to our owners being fans after Sunday's win. He mentioned one director not being able to get there last season and having to listen at home as the offside goal went in just as he and his wife Sonya were about to celebrate. I hope you enjoyed Ewood on Sunday Barry.

All the weekend results are below along with the stats, the leading goalscorers, the red and yellow card counts for each club, the ten highest and lowest attendances and the midweek fixtures with eight tonight and four tomorrow.