IAIN DOWIE admitted making mistakes as he surveyed the six defeats out of seven which have dumped Charlton at the foot of the Barclays Premiership.

The club's task in moving away from the bottom has been made all the harder by a goal difference of minus eight – the worst in the league.

With the prospect of what have been described as a "winnable" sequence coming up against Fulham, Watford and Manchester City, optimism is high that the club will climb the table after the international break.

"I'm accountable and I've made mistakes," said Dowie. "If there are any brickbats to be thrown, throw them at me.

"Nobody wants to lose six out of seven. I'm smarting from it and the players should be.

"But they do not deserve criticism because it's down to me. The fans' reaction against Arsenal showed what we're about.

"It was a great reaction because they saw it was a spirited performance with everyone having a go."

He stressed: "Charlton is an excellent club. Everyone has been supportive, all we need are the right results, which I'm convinced will come."

* FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S BEXLEY EXTRA.