Daily Express, Mon Oct 2nd

MON 2 OCT, 2006

Charlton chief Richard Murray last night gave Iain Dowie the dreaded 'vote of confidence' after Saturday's 3-0 home defeat left them slumped at the bottom of the Premiership with just a solitary point.

Two goals from Thierry Henry and a late strike from old boy Darren Bent condemned the Addicks to their sixth defeat in seven, leaving the memory of their brave 2-2 midweek draw with Manchester United increasingly distant.

"Iain was the best man for the job back in May, and he remains that today - he has the full confidence of the Board," mused Murray, though he would have been concerned about the boos that rung around the Valley at the weekend. Murray refused to comment however on the incredible on-field bust-up between Dowie and Bryan Hughes that saw the midfielder sporting a black eye as he left the stadium.

"When we saw the fixture list, we knew we would have to hit the ground running and it hasn't quite happened," admitted Murray, "...losing Bent on deadline day obviously didn't help but we're confident that Kevin Lisbie can fill his boots admirably."