Michael Appleton defends decision to play Charlton Athletic attacker Alfie May in wide role

Michael Appleton has defended his decision to play Charlton striker Alfie May in a wide role over recent weeks.

League One’s joint top scorer with 15 goals, former Cheltenham man May has been utilised in a number of different positions since Appleton took over in SE7 – including in both the nine and ten roles as well as on the Addicks’ right-hand side.

He started out wide during Friday’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers, having been utilised centrally during the Boxing Day loss at Leyton Orient.

The forward has featured on the right more often than not over the last few weeks. He is now without a goal in four league outings.

Appleton explained: “He’s scored a lot of goals playing on the right-hand side. He’s scored a lot of goals playing as a 10. When you’re in these moments, you’ll always find a negative spin on anything. We’ve just got to make sure we stay strong, stay together.

“Performances like we have done [at Bristol Rovers] – if you keep putting them type of performances in, eventually they will change and the type of questions that we get will be very different. Even when we don’t play particularly well.

“Depending on the opposition you’ve got, the type of profile of the defenders, that’s when you make the call. Is it best to play him centrally, best to play him off the line. As a 10. We’ll do that and change that in different games and different situations.”

May was withdrawn 13 minutes from time at the Memorial Ground, with Appleton revealing he had been carrying a knock.

PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS