Charlton have reassured under-pressure manager Iain Dowie that his job is safe.

The former Crystal Palace boss has endured a miserable start to the season in his new job with the Addicks rooted to the bottom of the Premiership after just one victory and seven defeats.

But now chief executive Peter Varney has backed Dowie to improve the situation at The Valley.

Varney said: "We remain confident we have the right man in the job.  He is determined and has got the players onside, despite some of the rubbish that has been said and written. He has our total confidence.

"When the players are fit and we have a settled side, things will change and we will climb the table."

Meanwhile Charlton skipper Luke Young has admitted confidence is low after their fifth consecutive defeat at Fulham on Monday night.

He said: "We're probably as low as we've been. The lads were devastated to get nothing against Fulham and this run has got to stop. We have to move on against Watford on Saturday.

"To be fair, the manager doesn't deserve what's happening to us at the moment.

"The enthusiasm that he gives off every day in training . . . he deserves better than what we're producing and he deserves more points than we've got. I haven't seen his kind of enthusiasm anywhere before really but it's down to the players.

"He can only do so much. Once he picks a team and sends us out there it's down to us to get the points. Saturday's match is now vital for us."  PA