Defeat at Hull gives more realistic picture of where we are comparatively, says Charlton manager Lee Bowyer

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer says defeat at Hull might put into perspective the difference between the two sides’ squads.

Both were relegated from the Championship last season but Bowyer felt that the Tigers were able to keep hold of the majority of their roster, whilst the Addicks had to go through another overhaul – a recurring theme for the South Londoners over the last few years.

The summer uncertainty surrounding the ownership in SE7, coupled with the new wage cap that was brought in by the time Thomas Sandgaard completed his takeover at The Valley, meant Bowyer had to wheel and deal in order to mould a squad he hoped could compete in League One.

The 2-0 loss at the KCOM on Saturday in the Addick’s first game of 2021 – which means they’ve won just twice in nine outings – leaves them still inside the top six but five points adrift of the second-placed Tigers.

Bowyer said: “It just shows you where we are. It’s making a more realistic picture of where we are. Of what we lost in the summer and what they lost, if you compare it.

“The games recently that we should have got more from would give you a bit more leeway on a game like today but we haven’t got those points. Hull will be up there at the end of the season and rightly so because they’ve kept most of their squad from last season.

“Most of those players you saw today were playing in the Championship last season. They should be up where they are.”

The January transfer window will give Bowyer the chance to try and find room for improvement within his squad, albeit whilst working within the constraints of the wage cap.

Bowyer also admitted when asked that he’d still be interested in taking a look at Boreham Wood left-sider Sorba Thomas, who Charlton made a bid for in the summer.

“We’d want to bring some young lads in as well, if we can,” he said.

“[Thomas is] someone that we liked in the summer and he hasn’t become a bad player overnight.

“We’re going to try and do some business to improve us in January. Hopefully now, people will realise it’s not that simple if you keep losing 12 players every summer and then you have to try and replace them. The new rules with the cap make it even harder. I think you saw that today with some of the performances from some of our players.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS