Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer to tell his players today if they are playing in League One play-off semi-final crunch

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Lee Bowyer will tell his Charlton Athletic players today if they are starting in the League One semi-final second leg against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow.

And the Addicks manager admits there is a decision to make over the formation he plays for the decider in SE7.

The Addicks lead 2-1 at the halfway stage of the tie.

Bowyer played a 3-5-2 formation at Doncaster – an attempt to nullify Rovers from countering down the flanks. 

But Charlton’s success – particularly on home turf – has been in a 4-4-2. 

So does he stick or twist?

“That’s a good question,” said Bowyer. “There are pros and cons to both. It’s about taking into account that we are at home and we have our home fans behind us. We are a different side when we play there. We create a lot more chances at home. 

“If we go with a flat diamond then it is a case that we could maybe score early, but at the same time we still have to respect that they have threats. And the thing is, do we have to go and score? That’s the thing I’ll have to decide, because I’ll name the team on Thursday.

“I like the players to know the day before. Earlier in the season I was naming it on a Thursday [before a Saturday game] and we would do a bit of 11 v 11, go through some stuff. But then earlier this season we have had a few injuries on the Thursday, so then it all changes. 

“It is difficult because you get a player who is a bit low – they wanted to play and weren’t going to be. Now you have to go and ask them to play. So I’ve stopped that now and I name the side on a Friday [when they play on Saturday].

“We just have to do the right thing. If we do the right thing then it doesn’t matter what formation that we decide to play.”