FORMER Wanderers defender Simon Charlton is confident his old side will rise up the Championship table – as long as they overcome their current defensive vulnerability.

The 43-year-old watched the Whites last time out when they surrendered a two-goal lead at QPR to lose 4-3 in stoppage time.

That took the number of goals conceded to 10 in the last three games before the international break.

But Charlton says he saw enough to believe they will not be around the foot of the table for too long.

The Yorkshireman does think, however, there is a mental fragility in the side at present while they remain at the bottom end of the division.

And that is a worry for boss Neil Lennon, particularly on the road with third-bottom Wanderers having picked up just one point – in the derby at Blackburn Rovers – in five games this season.

Charlton told The Bolton News: "At the start at QPR Wanderers looked a good team.

"In those opening stages they were in control got the early goals and looked a lot more balanced as a team.

"But the fact they conceded so soon after they scored the second was a turning point in my opinion.

"The old adage that you are at your most vulnerable after scoring rang true.

"QPR got their tails up and were good after that and Wanderers paid for poor decision-making.

"The way QPR came back into it just illustrated the mental fragility of Neil Lennon's team at the minute.

"It is maybe understandable with the position they are in and the results they have been getting.

"When you are in the top half, you find you have several players at the top of their game.

"In the bottom half that could only be one or two.

"You need results to get the ball rolling when you are scrapping and for that you need leaders out there.

"When you are under pressure in games, you need someone to drive the team on.

"It's a worry that there is a lack of that at the minute and a clear lack of confidence.

"Heads drop quickly and it's a bad habit to get into.

"They are getting punished for every mistake."

Wanderers are away again when they return from the two-week break from Championship action at Burnley on Saturday, looking to take their home form on the road to Turf Moor.

Charlton hopes that will be the case and says the team has to stick together to turn things around.

During his four years with Wanderers a decade ago, Charlton felt the good team spirit was a key factor.

He doesn't see the same togetherness at present in the current squad but believes Lennon will be working hard to get that in place.

Charlton said: "In my experience at Wanderers, it was all about the spirit in the team and all the players felt a togetherness.

"I don't think that's quite there yet though I know Neil will try and get that back – he's that type of manager.

"But at the moment it is not as high as it could be.

"Maybe that away record plays on their minds.

"It is strange how they struggle so much on the road and yet are unbeaten at home.

"In a perfect world you play the same way home and away but it's not always possible.

"The other team will set up differently.

"But Wanderers have definitely got enough to get away from danger in my opinion having seen them for the first time this season live at QPR.

"I'm not saying they will be challenging for promotion, though I hope I am proved wrong.

"But they have too much to be down the bottom end of the league and will not be down there for too long.

"If they tighten up defensively, there are goals in there.

"They have pace out wide but maybe need a bit more quality in the final ball.

"I'm sure Neil will sort things – he's still the right man for the job.

"It will be a long road but he will be determined to get it right."