Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer tweaks his verdict after re-watching Blackburn Rovers match
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Lee Bowyer reckons Charlton’s 2-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers was a tighter match than he first thought after watching it back on Sunday.
The Addicks saw a five-game unbeaten record at home in the Championship ended.
“I’ve watched the game back and I don’t think there was much in it,” said Bowyer. “I know the result said differently – but that’s the difference when you take your chances.
“When we changed formation in the second half we were better than them. We passed and passed, created chances and just didn’t take any of them.
“There was no real clear-cut one apart from Tomer Hemed’s header. He perhaps should’ve done better five minutes into the second half with a free header five yards out. If he makes contact, he scores. But it hits him on the shoulder.
“Their goal was a deflection. What disappointed me from that is no-one came to close the shot. If they do then they probably don’t score. And it’s disappointing to concede from the set-piece.
“Overall there wasn’t much in it. We could and should have got back into the game. If we do score early in the second half we probably go and get something from the game. It didn’t look as bad as I first thought watching from the side.
“We weren’t that brave with our press in the first half and they pinned us back a little bit, especially after they scored. We changed formation and looked a better side.”
Charlton right-back Adam Matthews claimed that Hemed got a touch on Stewart Downing’s free-kick which saw the ball evade Tom Lockyer for Tosin Adarabioyo to prod in from close range.
“I can’t tell,” said Bowyer. “Watching on the video it is still a long way away.
“It looked like Tomer was set to head it – but even then someone has got to be goal-side of him [Adarabioyo] there. We were unlucky [with the free-kick] because there was no contact on the fella – he fell over and the referee bought it.
“We got ourselves in a lot of good areas in the first 20-25 minutes – until they scored we were the better side. We got into some really good areas but just didn’t pick out the right pass. That’s the difference – normally when we’re on top in games we score and go on to be a bit stronger.
“The first goal is massive in this division.”
PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS
What can you expect from such a defensive initial line up. Five across the back for a home game against an average Championship side ? Its obvious that our opponents will spend a lot of time in our half. We MUST push a lot higher and get many more shots on their goal. Their second goal was a deflection which we would never get as we don’t shoot anywhere near enough. Mr. Bowyer, please put out a more attacking line up……..we’ve got the players to do it now.
Not as average as you though. Why have a pop at the Rovers instead of looking at your own teams performance. Goals win games no matter how they are scored. But having shots does help.
You lost so get over it . Sore looser?
His first review of the match on Saturday was more like it. A close game that could have gone either way? He must have woke up Sunday a bit delusional!
Sorry, cannot agree with this 2nd version of the game. Apart from the 2 goals Blackburn scored, they could have easily had 2 penalties in the 1st half. Granted 2nd half better for Charlton, but not enough balls played into the Blackburn box, as Charlton never had any real width to threaten them with crosses. Yes there were a few chances, but apart from the shot from Josh Cullen near the end and free kick from Lyle Taylor, both saved by the Blackburn keeper, that was it in the 2nd half. There was never that much, in my opinion, from Charlton to get the crowd’s pulses racing !! Must do much better on Saturday lads !!