Michael Appleton insists he still retains backing of Charlton Athletic board after winless run extended with defeat at Burton

Charlton head coach Michael Appleton insists he still retains the backing of the board after his side’s winless run continued with defeat at lowly Burton Albion.

Goals from Mark Helm and John Brayford in either half meant the South Londoners have now lost five of their last six league outings – and their run without victory is extended to nine in League One.

The Addicks head coach was on the receiving end of a number of calls for his head from the disgruntled travelling support at the Pirelli Stadium.

But when asked if he thinks he retains support from above, Appleton replied: “Yes, absolutely.”

The former Blackpool boss had asked for ‘perspective’ from supporters after a home defeat to Oxford on New Year’s Day.

When asked how long this perspective can continue with new players arriving to bolster his squad, Appleton said: “The reality is we are where we are because lacks of concentration at certain times has certainly hurt us. We’ve got an understanding of how strongly we can finish the season, what we can get out of the season. It’s up to me and the staff and the players to try and deliver that.”

The Addicks controlled possession in the first-half at Burton but lapses in concentration at the back again saw Helm break the deadlock on 24 minutes.

Brayford killed the game off early in the second-half following another shambles at the back, with the visitors never really looking like mounting a comeback from then on.

When asked where he felt it went wrong, Appleton said: “Missed opportunities. Countless opportunities. And a little bit of poor defending doesn’t help.

“[The early goal in the second-half] shouldn’t have but it did [kill off Charlton’s hopes of recovery]. It didn’t help in terms of the timing but what it did do, there was still 40 or 50 minutes with the nine that was added, to try and get something out of the game.

“The only difference between first-half and second-half was we stopped passing the ball forward. A couple of players didn’t take the responsibility to pass the ball forward. That didn’t help us looking to create the same sort of chances as in the first-half.”

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