‘Be dead brave’ – Michael Appleton doesn’t want safety-first approach from Addicks at Bristol Rovers

Michael Appleton has urged his Charlton Athletic side to not play “safe” in Friday’s match at Bristol Rovers.

The Addicks have drifted further away from the League One play-offs after just two wins in their last 10 matches.

Charlton lost 1-0 at Leyton Orient on Boxing Day and now face a Gas outfit who defeated leaders Portsmouth 2-1 last time out.

“I just want a performance where we’re dead brave,” said Appleton. “That we go for it and have a go – don’t play safe.

“If you make mistakes then make mistakes making a positive mistake rather than a negative one, taking the safe option. That’s what I’ll be looking for at Bristol.

“I can show them examples, because they have done it in abundance at times. If they can repeat that and have the confidence to repeat that then we give ourselves a good opportunity to get three points anywhere in this league.”

Appleton tweaked his attacking approach against the O’s with Alfie May playing in a central role and Daniel Kanu down the wing.

May, the Addicks’ top scorer, has largely been deployed in a wider role on the right.

“We were just trying to get Alfie down the sides of the two big boys at centre-half, try and work their feet a little bit better instead of getting into a fight that Dan would’ve got into,” said Appleton.

“We did it a little bit in the first half but we kept getting caught offside. I’ll have a look back, I don’t know if they were offsides – but there were probably two or three that looked needless.

“They are very much a crossing team at times as well and DK does that really well – backing up and defending two v two.

“I want to see him (DK), if we’re using him on a regular basis, in that central position but needs must at times. You need players who can fill in one or two positions.”