Dowie: "Blamemeforpoorleagueposition"

Boss Iain Dowie says his players are not to blame for Charlton's poor league position - it's him.

The Addicks manager has also praised his players for the effort they have put in - but warned the squad need to stick together to get out of danger in the Premiership.

"I'vegotnoconcernsaboutthelads'commitmentandifanyoneistoblamethenit'sme," he said.

"We'vehadadisappointingstartbutwehavetogetonwithitandgetoverit.It'smuchsweeterwhenyouovercomeadversity.Characteriswhatyoushowwhenthingsaren'tgoingright,notwhentheyare.Anyonecanshowcharacterwheneverythingisrosyinthegardensonowwewillseewhatthecharacterofeveryone,includingmyself,thestaffandtheplay-ers,isallabout.Ifwesticktogetherwewillbefine."

Dowie, has not been helped by an injury crisis. Midfielder Andy Reid and centre-back Gonzalo Sorondo have out-side chances of playing against Arsenal this Saturday. But new signing Omar Pouso (hamstrings) and midfielder Matt Holland (bruised ribs) joined the injury list last week. Djimi Traore (fractured leg) and Souleymane Diawara (ham-string) are unlikely to be back until after the next international break.

The team has also had a very tough string of fixtures, which continue with the visit of the Gunners.

The ex-Palace boss said: "Itisallabouthowyourespondtodifficultscenarios.Wearegoingtogetinthere,workharder,looktheladsintheeyes,workandtrytomakethingsbetter."Theyareafantasticbunchofplayersandthisisagoodclubandwenowhavetodigourselvesoutofahole."

Away form has not helped - the last time they won on their travels was last October 22, a 2-1 victory at Portsmouth.

"It'sbeenalongtimeandwehavetomakesureweputitright. Iactuallythought westartedverywellinthe2-0defeatatAstonVillalastweekend.We'vebeenstarting poorlylatelybutwedidn'tdothat-wegotofftoabrightstart.ItbecamenervousforVillaattimes.Butwhenyoudon'ttakeyourchancesanddefendlikewedidthenitgivesthemamassiveboost."