Valerien Ismael rued two key referee decisions that went against Blackburn Rovers but admitted the first 15 minutes cost them against Ipswich Town.
An own goal from Eiran Cashin and a Jack Taylor strike put the hosts 2-0 ahead inside 12 minutes. It was a disastrous start that gave Rovers an uphill task.
Sam Szmodics added a third for Ipswich after Rovers felt they should've had a penalty kick. Yuki Ohashi was shoved over by Darnell Furlong in the box but nothing was given.
Ismael was furious about that decision and also Furlong's elbow on Todd Cantwell in the second half.
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"I think that the first goal, the two goals in the first half just killed the momentum and everything in the game," Ismael said.
"Honestly, in the first half, for me, it was nothing, just the two goals for Ipswich. Apart from that, I said to the guys, it can be possible that we try to come back into that difficult game away against a strong team.
"We tried in the second half. I think it's another clear penalty on Yuki. I think at some point, the ref has to do the job.
"It's another one, another big decision. You've got a penalty now, it's 2-1. It doesn't mean you win the game, but at least it's a game on and it's something different.
"It's a clear red card on Todd. It means that we need VAR urgently in the Championship because the players allow themselves to make bad tackle situations like that. I think if you know the VAR is there, then we won't have those situations and discussions every time.
"It's just embarrassing every time. Every week, week in, week out, a massive decision. Penalty, not penalty.
"Charlton was not a penalty, now it's a clear penalty for us. It doesn't change the first half. We concede the two goals, but at least in the 90-minute games, maybe it can be the key moment in any game when you come back into the game."
It's now one win in 11 Championship matches for Rovers, who haven't scored in four of their last five game in all competitions.
Despite the form, Ismael is not worried about the situation as he believes results will turn when players return from injury.
"No, I'm not worried," he insisted.
"I'm not worried about the situation because I know that the player will be coming back. So at some point, we will have it. It can't carry on like this till the end of the season, I'm sure.
"At the minute, it's just challenging. We didn't get the right timing when we have to play the ball more forward, when we have to keep the ball.
"At some point, I got that feeling we were the team leading 2-0 and tried to play short, short, short. At some point, you have to put more pressure on. So we need to manage the game much better in those situations.
"I think that the first 15, 20 minutes, actually, we were good in the second half. After that, we started to lose too many balls.
"With that quality in front of you, then at some point, you get punished."
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