Lee Bowyer reveals goal wager with Charlton Athletic hotshot Lyle Taylor

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lyle Taylor only needs one more goal to match the total that Charlton manager Lee Bowyer predicted he would reach if he signed for the SE7 outfit.

The former AFC Wimbledon striker, snapped up on a free transfer in the summer, netted his 19th of the campaign in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Plymouth Argyle.

“When I spoke to him in the summer I said he was guaranteed to score 20 goals for us,” said Bowyer. “He has got one more to get. Hopefully he gets that – then I’m not a liar!

“I don’t want to jump too far ahead, but I reckon he’ll get around 23 [this season].

“I knew he was very good before we signed him – that his hold-up play was very good. There were just other things he had to work on – like his fitness, because he wasn’t the fittest. We got him fitter and sharper and I think he’s benefitted from that.

“He’s become a better player since coming to us, he’s definitely improved again. That’s our job – to improve our players.”