Charlton Athletic boss Bowyer explains his formation switch for Doncaster Rovers tie
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Lee Bowyer explained his switch to a 3-5-2 formation for Charlton’s 2-1 League One play-off semi-final win at Doncaster – wanting to make sure that the home side did not have space to break into.
The Addicks looked on course for a 2-0 victory with goals from Lyle Taylor and Joe Aribo.
But Kieran Sadlier headed in late on for Rovers to ensure they are still alive in the tie.
Bowyer played a three-man backline as he shifted away from his usual 4-4-2 formation.
He said: “When you play with the diamond, you have to rely on your full-backs to get forward and I felt when we played them here [earlier in the season] that when our full-backs went the wingers didn’t track – and then they kept hitting us on the break.
“That was how they were hurting us. In possession we were fine, but as soon as we gave it away high up the pitch they hit us on the break – maybe five or six times.
“That was their threat. By playing a third centre-back as you lose your wing-back you have got that cover – like Naby Sarr, he stepped into left-back.
“You have to respect them.”