Charlton manager Lee Bowyer says Addicks must stem flow of sloppy goals conceded after 2-2 draw with Plymouth
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says his side have to stem the flow of sloppy goals they’ve been giving away recently.
Twice the Addicks fell behind during Boxing Day’s 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle at The Valley – with Luke Jephcott capitalising from weak defending both times to score for the visitors.
Strikes from Chris Gunter and substitute Marcus Maddison ensured the Addicks enjoyed a share of the spoils but they couldn’t improve their record of just one win in five League One games after conceding two for the third outing in a row.
Bowyer explained: “It’s both boxes. We’re giving away too many soft goals and it’s something we have to work on as a group. I won’t say it is lack of effort or fight because everyone is putting a shift in, they’re all working hard.
“A game that I think we dominated large portions of. We moved the ball well, we created chances. Again, just not ruthless enough in front of goal. And we gave away two soft goals. We worked on what they do, they get it wide to the wing-backs and slide it down the channel for their strikers to run on to. That’s pretty much what they did for the first goal. We worked on that and it happened too easily. The second one, a set-piece again. We have to be stronger and stop giving away these silly goals. We scored two, again could have scored four or five.
“I just want more. I see us getting closer to where I know we can get to. We still need to work on things but we’re getting there, we’re creating a lot more chances then we have been than four weeks ago, say. It’s becoming more fluid now. Our play and the chances we’re creating. We’ve just got to stop the other side now, stop conceding goals and we’ll go on a big run. I believe we are really close to that.
“I’m learning from some players. We seem to at the moment have a lot of impact players. People coming off the bench going well but then when you start them, not being the same player. This is something that we’ll have to look at ourselves and how we can keep trying to get the best team out there.
“We’ll keep working hard. We haven’t lost in four and we’re in the top six. With a game in hand. We’re not doing that bad. We will get better. I keep saying it, we are improving. I’m seeing it on the side-lines. Our goalkeeper didn’t have any saves to make like he was earlier on in the season but we’ve had to pick the ball out of the net, which isn’t good. We’re limiting teams’ goal-scoring opportunities and that’s important.”
Maddison’s introduction helped to swing the game back in the Addicks’ favour. The former Peterborough man scored just two minutes after coming on as a 65th-minute substitution, rifling a powerful drive into the bottom corner from range.
“He’s getting fitter,” said Bowyer when asked about the impact the midfielder made.
“He’s working hard and he’s doing things that take him out of his comfort zone. So, I’m really pleased for him to get that goal today. He’s working hard in training. It’s definitely not natural to him to run around when his team loses the ball but I think the players have noticed the level that we want and expect. He’s moving in the right direction.
“If we can get him fitter, he didn’t play football for a long, long time. From the first lockdown. He missed a lot of fitness but we just saw there the quality he can bring. It wasn’t just the goal, it was two or three things that he did. He has something a bit different that no one else really has for us.
“It’s just getting that fine balance with him, Jonny [Williams], Chuks [Aneke] and Omar [Bogle]. We need to get that right.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
Well, it is very clear that it is no coincidence that our best run, 6 wins on the bounce and without conceding a goal, was when Innis and Akinfenwa were paired in the centre of defence. It is also clear that we need them back asap, but that is not in our hands is it ? It is also clear that we have another central defender fit and raring to go , but Lee Bowyer will not play him, why ? Charlton also need someone that can put the chances created in the back of the net and hopefully that will be resolved in the January transfer window if Schwartz signs, provided he is fit and ready to go !!
In a nutshell, Charlton are scoring 2 goals a game, which, as proved earlier in the season is enough provided a clean sheet is earned. History will show that it is very rare that a team gains promotion by thrashing every other team in sight. No, it is by grinding out results and not conceding silly and unnecessary goals. Charlton have done before and can do it again.!
I was surprised how quickly the new group of players gelled and they now have to find that winning mentality again and soon. The return of the above mentioned central defenders will, in my opinion, resolve the goals against problem. It is very tight at the top and will continue that way until the end of the season, with changes of top position being a familiar sight. The two teams that can be consistently good will get the coveted automatic promotions.