Lee Bowyer admits Joe Ledley had a tough baptism at Charlton Athletic
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Lee Bowyer has admitted it was not fair to drop Joe Ledley straight into Championship action.
The 32-year-old midfielder had been a free agent since leaving Derby in January but signed a month-long deal on Friday.
Ledley made his debut at Middlesbrough a day later – starting at the Riverside Stadium before being replaced at the interval by Lyle Taylor.
Bowyer said: “It’s probably not really fair to do that to him, but I was just hoping his experience would get him through it.
“Fitness-wise he hasn’t played for a while and fitness-wise he struggled a bit.
“We brought him in for a bit of experience – we’ve got all kids at the moment.
“Darren Pratley is the only experienced one we had, otherwise you’re relying on Albie [Morgan] – it’s a bit much to be relying on him starting. It’s asking a bit much, he’s struggled when he’s had to [start].
“We thought just bring in another experienced player to play alongside Prats. Between them they should be able to get through it.”
PICTURE BY KYLE ANDREWS
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Get Joe match fit he’s a good footballer