Charlton boss Lee Bowyer pleased with side’s reaction to Rochdale defeat as they defeat Donny

He was after a reaction, and he got one.

Charlton boss Lee Bowyer had demanded an improvement from his side after last week’s defeat at Rochdale and was pleased with what he saw as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at The Valley against Doncaster Rovers.

First-half goals from Joe Aribo and Karlan Grant had his side ahead and they never looked back as they earned their first win in three to get back in touch with the League One play-off places.

“People say maybe I’m a bit too critical at times,” explained the Charlton chief.

“I’m honest with them. Now I’m saying how good they were. If they’re not good, I say they were not so good. They’re men, they can take it. When I say things like that, I want to get a reaction. That’s the reaction that I’ve just got. It’s the right thing.

“I thought we were outstanding. They’re a good side, Doncaster. The way we performed there, you’d have thought that they were lower in the league than we were. That’s what frustrates me, it drives me crazy. What you just saw there, I see every day. There’s a togetherness and a fight. They want to pass and tackle. Every part of the game, we won today. That’s why it drives me crazy when we go to Rochdale and don’t do that. For me it’s a great start to the week.

“We have to go again Tuesday and do the same (away to Walsall). We’re three points off the top six with the game in hand. Tuesday is the game in hand. Then we’re in the top six and it doesn’t look so bad.

“The most important thing for me is we got the clean sheet and the three points.”