Lee Bowyer has his say on claims Charlton’s diamond formation being rumbled by opposing teams

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer has responded to suggestions that Charlton’s diamond formation is being negated by opposition teams because the shape is too predictable.

The Addicks have largely played a narrow midfield in League One although 5-3-2 has also been utilised at times.

Charlton have dropped five points in their last two matches. They lost 1-0 at Rochdale last Saturday.

But Bowyer said: “Every formation has got a fault. You can say Barnsley have got a formation. Teams like Manchester City and Liverpool, teams at the top of the Premier League, play that formation.

“But every formation has got a weakness. Most teams play three in midfield and a striker off another striker. They can have an overload and hurt you there. You can try and stop the full-backs coming out and then get hurt in the middle of the park.

“People read too much into it – it is how you are in possession. If you keep possession better than the other team and compete better then the other team it doesn’t matter, you probably win the game.

“In the games we have dropped points we have not taken our chances, like last week. We didn’t even play well last week but still missed a penalty, had a goal disallowed, hit the post and the keeper had a worldy. We just weren’t at our normal standard.

“Just because of the standard we have set in possession, sometimes it ain’t going to be that easy. Teams are going to make it difficult. Everyone falters now and again. We’re still in a good place. We haven’t been outplayed by any team yet.

“Sometimes things don’t go for you on a day. That was definitely the case last weekend.”