Bowyer determined to lead Charlton to League One promotion after Rotherham win
Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2018 by PA
Lee Bowyer remains uncertain about his future as Charlton caretaker manager but is determined to lead them to promotion after overseeing his third victory from three with a 3-1 defeat of Rotherham.
The 41-year-old had previously been told the Rotherham fixture could be his last in the role – Charlton remain in talks over a potential takeover to conclude unpopular owner Roland Duchatelet’s four-year reign – but he is preparing to continue on Saturday at Bristol Rovers.
Michal Zyro’s first-half finish and two goals from Joe Aribo, who the boss said reminded him of Patrick Vieira, took Bowyer’s team back into the League One play-off places after scoring their ninth goal from his three games in charge.
His one-time Leeds team-mate Harry Kewell remains a contender to succeed him on a permanent basis, but Bowyer said: “I’ll carry on until told otherwise. It is what it is, but I knew that when I was first asked to take charge. I’m not interested in or worried about any of that – it’ll take care of itself.
“My focus is on the team and getting them into the play-offs. I’m enjoying it and getting that winning feeling running through the veins again is definitely a good thing.
“We’ve put a statement out: The next team we play will be dreading playing us. We were a good footballing side, but we’re like a different animal now: we used to get bullied, but that isn’t happening anymore.
“Rotherham tried it but it didn’t work. Their togetherness – you can see it in the dressing room – is a completely different place. With their ability and the way they pass and move and make runs, at times they’re unplayable.
“Our end goal is to get promotion. We seemed to have forgotten that a bit, and fell away. At times they probably thought they couldn’t make it anymore, but it’s rubbish. We’ve won three out of three and are back in the mix.”
Rotherham remain fourth, two places ahead of Charlton, and their manager Paul Warne kept his team in the changing room for 30 minutes post match to try to refocus them on their own pursuit of promotion.
Asked if he was concerned about their recent loss of momentum ahead of a crucial period, the 44-year-old responded: “Yeah a little bit, I suppose.
“When we lose I’m not that downbeat, I watch it back and look at where can we improve.
“The lads have got a real belief but fundamentally you do not want to stagger into the play-offs. We definitely don’t want to do that.
“Charlton were generally better in both halves. (But) it was only three days ago we played Peterborough off the park so I’m not overly concerned.
“We’ve just got to pick them up again now and have a go for the last six games.”
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