“There aren’t enough people who care” – Lee Bowyer accuses some of his Charlton players of lacking fight
Lee Bowyer has criticised the lack of fight in his Charlton Athletic squad after today’s 3-0 home loss to Blackpool.
The Addicks have dropped out of the League One play-off picture after a damaging sequence of results.
And Bowyer revealed afterwards that he had told one of his players that they would not play at Wigan after “constantly at fault for goals”.
Asked if it would only be that player missing out, the Charlton manager responded: “There will be more than one. Let’s be honest – do I see too many people fighting for the shirt out there? Not really. Not what I’ve had in the past. I’ve had players, whether they are signed permanently or loans, you have to fight. This is a great club. You’re lucky. Fight for the shirt. Fight for the club. Fight for me. Fight for yourself – take a bit of pride.
“Too soft. That’s what I mean by that.
“I don’t want to criticise the players. I could give you the real reason why I think [they are not producing] – but that’s not fair. I’m criticising people, I don’t want to do that. They try. But can they give more? I believe they can.
“I believe some cut corners. That’s not just our football club – that’s every football club. You get the odd one who cuts the corner, another feeds off that and it has a knock-on effect.
“When you step on to the pitch you need to have all 11 players that are fighting for the same thing.
“Why do you think I make so many changes at times? Because I don’t see that. Too many are not pulling their weight. If you don’t pull your weight then you don’t want this opportunity, then you come out. Do you want to grab the opportunity? Well go in and prove it. You don’t want to take this opportunity either? You come out.
“Two years ago I had a side who fought for everything. Every single game. Very rarely did I change things. I haven’t had that luxury. Even last season when our squad was depleted – at least they tried. They lost by the odd goal. See that today? Three-nil. There aren’t enough people who care, unfortunately.
“I can’t make them care. My job is to give them the information to make them better and to win games. I’m doing that. I can’t make them take it. Me and Jacko [Johnnie Jackson, assistant manager] are giving the same information we do to every player that has rolled through this door.”
The question is how Charlton’s struggles can be fixed. They are sliding down the table, taking just four points from their last six matches.
“You just hope they start taking the information you’re passing on and realise it is going to make you better,” said Bowyer. “Sometimes you have to work harder to become better. Some people just like cutting corners, that’s their thing.
“Some players we brought in in the summer they didn’t have clubs. Why didn’t they have clubs? That’s the question you have to ask yourself. But that’s the market we were dealing with. That’s where we are.
“We have to get things right. Sometimes you have to roll with the hand you’re dealt. I can’t make people want to run around, be hungry and get better. It’s their careers. I can give them advice and show them, but if you keep making the same mistakes time and time again – sorry, that is your choice. But it affects me. We’re losing games. We have to stop that.”
PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS
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
I am trying so very hard to want to keep Lee Bowyer as manager of Charlton, but it is becoming abundantly clear that the present squad of players are dragging their heels and not playing 100% for Charlton or Lee Bowyer. This is something he has not had to contend with before. I must confess, apart from watching highlights, I have only seen one game at The valley this season, but, whilst it is a snapshot, it is also clear that the performances are patchy at best and woeful at worst, as not all the comments from others in the media can be wrong. If Lee Bowyer goes, it will mainly be down to the fact that this squad of players are not up for it. Could another manager get more from them ?, probably, but only for a while until the lethargy sets in again. In my playing days, no one had to tell me to give 100% and whilst I was not the most gifted of footballers, my team mates always knew that I had given my all, no matter the result. That is what we have seen from past teams under Lee Bowyer, but seemingly, not this bunch. Have a good look at yourselves players and very quickly if you care about Charlton Athletic.