Lee Bowyer on “tough to take” 2-0 loss at Hull and his thinking behind playing Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen on the right of midfield
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says defeat away at Hull City was “tough to take” after the hosts ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.
Hakeeb Adelakun edged the Tigers ahead with a tap-in on 18 minutes, before Greg Docherty made the game safe inside the final quarter of an hour.
The Addicks’ hopes of getting back into the game at 1-0 were dashed as midfielder-cum-centre-half Darren Pratley was shown a red card for a kick midway through the second half.
The South Londoners have won just twice in nine league games but remain sixth – five points shy of second-placed Hull.
Bowyer described the game as disappointing, saying: “Coming here, we knew it was going to be difficult but losing here the way we have is tough to take. Two poor goals, really. We were in a great position, young Ian [Maatsen]. Omar [Bogle] made a good run and if you hit the right pass, he’s probably through on goal. Underhit the pass, it gets cut out and they break on us. Adam [Mathews] falls asleep on the far post and the fella taps it in. Bad goal to concede.
“We dominated the ball a lot without hurting them. A lot of it was in front of them but we weren’t brave enough. We carried too many players today. We had Omar’s chance from six yards out. They are big moments and you need people to take the chances. Changes everything. He didn’t and we’re coming away with a 2-0 defeat.
“Losing Prats as well played a big part in the outcome. I changed things around at half-time and again I thought we were the team on top and looking to create things, but we didn’t. Prats get sent off, which is disappointing as he’s your most experienced player and you don’t expect him to make a mistake like that. Then they hit us on the break for the second one and it’s game over.
“We had to be brave because we were losing 1-0 and we had to get bodies forward as much as we could. We had to be brave and leave one for one at the break and just needed something to fall our way. It didn’t happen and they hit us on the break and then finished the game off.”
Bowyer had tried to play the left-sided Maatsen on the right of a midfield diamond, before reverting to a 3-5-2 in the second-half. Right-sided defender Matthews filled in at left-back again.
When asked for his thinking behind the new role for the Chelsea loanee, Bowyer explained: “We thought [Malik] Wilks would be playing on the right. He’s been playing on the right all the time, coming in on his left foot and he’s very good at it. So, I thought Adam, he’ll be coming on to his strong foot as well, his right foot.Adam had done well in the last game in possession, he was very good on the ball.
“Ian, a bit of pace in the final-third to cause them problems. That was the thinking behind that and we did alright. First-half, taking the goal aside, we did okay. They weren’t better than us. Then it was like, okay, now change things and try and make something happen. Try and get our wing-backs high up the pitch and try and hurt them a bit more. We were doing that until we went down to 10 men and then it was more difficult.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
Another disappointing result in the way Charlton played according to reports. Loads of possession, but no cutting edge with another inferior shots on target ratio compared to the opponents. Losing is bad enough, but another game – 4 in a row – that Charlton have conceded 2 goals. That is not promotion winning statistics. Unfortunately, as Lee Bowyer admits, we are not creating enough chances and when we do, they are missed. I was very impressed with the October showing of the team. Considering it was a relatively new squad of players, they had gelled together well. Unfortunately, since the injuries to Innis and Akin, Charlton have been conceding goals regularly,. Even worse, they will not be in contention for another few weeks, another Charlton trait regarding unfortunate injuries !! Charlton need a boost in the transfer window and despite the EFL cap, Bowyer, Gallen and co need to do some very good business, otherwise, it will be another season in League one.