Charlton boss Lee Bowyer assesses his transfer business after January window closes
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Lee Bowyer is pleased that he was able to bolster his midfield in the dying embers of the January transfer window.
Aiden McGeady, Matt Smith and David Davis joined on loan from Sunderland, Manchester City and Birmingham respectively as Charlton secured a hat-trick of deals on deadline day.
Bowyer had lost the services of key men Jonathan Leko and Conor Gallagher already during this window, with fringe players Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal also leaving the club.
There had been some speculation that striker Lyle Taylor may be the target of bids from other sides, but he remained at The Valley and opened the scoring during today’s 2-1 home win over Barnsley.
“It could’ve been worse,” said Bowyer, when asked how he assessed the first window under new owners ESI.
“We kept hold of Lyle. It could have been worse if we hadn’t replaced those players [Gallagher, Leko and Kayal].
“I’m happy my midfield is stronger now – that was what we were lacking – bodies.”
“48 hours ago we were two players down from when the window opened. We added three players. We replaced the midfielders that we lost and we brought it Aidy as well. He was our bonus player really.
“We replaced the players that we lost and brought in Aidy as a bonus. That’s the way it went. I’m happy. I thought the signings we’ve done are good signings.
“[Goals like today] are why I said to the chairman that we have to keep hold of Lyle. He started to cramp up a little bit at the end but that is what he brings us.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS/ PAUL EDWARDS
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Obviously a vital result. Its a pity it was negated by Wigan’s success at Leeds but it just shows that we cannot rely purely on the results of other teams to ensure survival of this level as there will always be suprising results. Keeping Lyle for the moment was also key and like many more l hope we survive which maybe key to keeping Lyle
Need the player recruitment sorted in the summer fresh faces is so important bowyer must b so pissed off with the old guard at club let’s bring in curbishley to b club secretary
We need sackings high up than bowyer please matt and owner otherwise club will b stuck in the dark ages for a few more years to come
Shows u ESI are skint when all they can buy is loans Roland must b laughing all way to the bank