Appy's pain at huge loss

The Blues need a miracle to stay up after going down to a 1-0 loss at Fratton Park tonight.

Appleton was hugely disappointed with the ease in which the visitors grabbed the key strike from Harry Kane.

And he was admitted it was hugely disappointing to see the belief drain from his side as they tried to get back into the game.

Appleton stated that proved a revealing insight into some of his players.

He said: ‘It was disappointing.

‘We started the game really well.

‘We created a few opportunities and got in behind them.

‘But the first goal is important. We didn’t deal with the first ball and the second one. It was a poor goal to give away.

‘The confidence oozed away from the players. It wasn’t nice to see.

‘It was a difficult night. I learnt a lot about certain people tonight.’