It is a similar story this time around but a bigger squad and considerably more points in the bag have changed the mood in south-east London.

However, Jonatan Johansson will be missing - forcing Curbishley into using his NINTH different forward combination in 23 league games with South African Shaun Bartlett, cleared from international duty, set to partner Matt Svensson.

Swede Svensson was rushed back as a substitute against the non-League Daggers despite a persistent back problem.

"I still have got enough players so that I can get on with it and that was a thing that we planned to do this year. We have a bigger squad for a reason," said Curbishley.

"It's been incredible what has happened to us but we have managed to survive it. We haven't shouted too much about it but it has been a problem.

"I think the strength of the squad and the way we are playing is a lot different. If you would have said to me before the Christmas period we would be without Andy Hunt, Mark Kinsella and Jonatan Johansson I would have felt we would be struggling somewhat, but we've managed to overcome it."

Although he admits there is money in the kitty, Curbishley insists there will be no panic buys arriving at The Valley and his biggest concern is the team's reliance on Johansson to score.

He said: "We are in a position that we could go out and do something. You can't rest, you can't stand still. But we are happy at the moment.

"It's a worry that the other strikers haven't been scoring but it hasn't helped that they've all been constantly swapped and no-one has been given a run.

"Every time I think something has been working well, something comes along to change that. It's crazy. They have been freak accidents."