Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says positive results against Doncaster during the regular season will count for nothing in the play-offs
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says that this season’s positive results against Doncaster Rovers will count for nothing in the play-offs.
The Addicks beat Rovers 2-0 at The Valley back in November, before taking a hard-earned point as the reverse fixture ended 1-1 at the start of March.
The Addicks’ 4-0 win over Rochdale on the last day of the regular season saw them leapfrog Sunderland and Portsmouth into third in the League One table, setting up the semi-final tie that will start with the first leg at the Keepmoat Stadium next Sunday.
The South Londoners enjoy home advantage for the second-leg, which will be on Friday 17thMay.
“No, I don’t think it makes any difference,” said Bowyer when asked if his side have a psychological advantage over their opponents.
“It’s two ninety-minute games. Anything can happen. You can have a sending off in the first minute of the game and it all changes. I don’t think any of that comes into it. It’s two ninety minutes. Two good teams that will be putting their bodies on the line. The team that takes their chances will win the game.
“I don’t think there’s any advantage whether you’re home first or second. I use Barcelona as an example. Liverpool went there and they’ve got the second leg at home but they got thumped 3-0. Game over in my eyes. For me it makes no difference. You’ve still got two tough games. Whoever does best over the two games will come out on top.”
Sunderland’s defeat at Southend, coupled with Portsmouth only taking a point from Accrington’s visit to Fratton Park, opened the door for the in-form Addicks to take third spot.
Charlton are now undefeated at home in seven months of league football, winning their last six in a row at The Valley and seven of their final eight league fixtures both home and away.
Goals from Joe Aribo and Lyle Taylor, either side of a Calvin Andrew own-goal had the Addicks in command at the break against Rochdale. Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik added a fourth fifteen minutes from time.
“The results went our way and it was the perfect performance”, said Bowyer.
“A clean sheet, and to score goals again. Last two home games we’ve scored four goals and not conceded. We’re in a very good place at the moment. Everybody is hungry. They know what the prize is at the end and they all want it so bad.
“The results went our way and it was the perfect performance. A clean sheet, and to score goals again. Last two home games we’ve scored four goals and not conceded. We’re in a very good place at the moment. Everybody is hungry. They know what the prize is at the end and they all want it so bad.”