Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer gives verdict on Middlesbrough ahead of Valley showdown

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer has described Middlesbrough as being “in a different league budget wise” ahead of Saturday’s showdown at The Valley.

The Charlton manager watched the Teessiders’ 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Monday night and was left impressed by their display.

Boro are in the Championship bottom three but can climb out of it this weekend – while the Addicks are intent on opening up a four-point gap on the dropzone.

“They played well [against Forest],” said Bowyer. “They were the better side for a large period of that game. They were unlucky not to get the win.

“They have got players who have played in the Premier League and a good squad with good youngsters coming through with good quality.

“They are a hard-working side and experienced. They were seventh last season. They are no mugs. They are a proper Championship side. Last season, under Tony Pulis, they were pushing for the Premier League.

“I know they have cut their budget a bit – I’ve spoken to Woody [Jonathan Woodgate] – but there is still a good, hefty budget there. And they’ve got a lot of players who can hurt you.”

Charlton sold right-back Anfernee Dijksteel to Boro in the summer transfer window for a fee in the region of £2million.

“They are in a different league to us budget wise,” said Bowyer. “And they strengthened in January, they brought in three or four good players. Their chairman recognised they were in a position they did not want to be in and they chucked some money into it to strengthen them. They’ve picked up some good results on the back of it.”