“We’re juggling plates at the moment with what we’ve got to spend” – Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says it will be difficult to add another centre-half in this window
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer says it will be difficult to add new defensive bodies in the January transfer window – and pointed out that the Addicks are well-stocked in that department.
The 2-2 home draw with Swindon means that the South Londoners have conceded 18 in their last nine outings – a rate of two per game – costing important points in the promotion race as they’ve claimed just two wins despite also scoring 18 times themselves in that run.
Ryan Inniss and Akin Famewo have been big misses through injury but when asked if he’d want to try and dip into the transfer market to improve his side’s defensive record, Bowyer admitted it would be a challenge.
The Charlton boss said: “We’ve got four centre-halves. We’ve got Deji, we’ve got Pearcey. What we try to do is have two players for each position. Now, we’ve brought in Jayden so it’s Jayden and Chuks, Ronnie and Conor, that’s our four strikers.
“We’ve got four centre-halves. We’ve got Pratley that can fill in and Gunter that can fill in. It’s going to be difficult to bring in another centre-half because we’re juggling plates at the moment with what we’ve got to spend. It’s difficult to fill in that position.
“I know Akin is hopefully going to be training with us back-end of next week. So, he’s not far. Ryan, a little bit longer.”
There were notable absentees in the Addicks squad today – including Omar Bogle who missed out completely after the arrival on loan of Preston North End striker Jayden Stockley.
When asked what that signing means for Bogle’s future, Bowyer said: “We’ve got bodies back and people miss out. Ben Purrington weren’t here either. Ben Watson is back training but he wasn’t here today.
“It’s competition for places. That’s why. If you get your opportunity and grab it, you stay in. That’s what I want. I want them all to push each other. Today, I thought we saw that again. Pushing and pushing, lads coming off the bench and making an impact. That’s the way it is unfortunately, you have to earn your right to play and be involved.”
MAIN PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS
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