Bowyer lauds players as Charlton tighten grip on play-off place

Posted Wednesday, April 10, 2019 by PA

Lee Bowyer was full of praise for his Charlton players as they ground out a 1-0 win a Wycombe to move closer to guaranteeing their place in the League One play-offs.

Jason Pearce’s first-half strike was enough for the Addicks to win their third straight game and move them 15 points clear of seventh place Peterborough.

Bowyer was quick to praise his players for their performance as they were pushed all the way by a side fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table.

Bowyer said: “Physically that was so demanding, it was unreal.

“We had to fight for every single ball as that is what Wycombe did. It does not matter about the scoreline, it’s all about the three points.

“The lads put their bodies on the line, they did everything I asked. I asked them to compete like they’ve never competed before as Wycombe are fighting.

“They are a side who wants to stay in this division but we are a side who wants to win promotion.

“I’m so proud of them. 1-0 is a great result and we will happily go home with that.”

Charlton took the lead in the 35th minute when skipper Pearce slotted home from Josh Cullen’s cross.

Igor Vetokele had earlier been denied by a fine save from Ryan Allsop after being set up by Lyle Taylor.

For Wycombe, Adebayo Akinfenwa saw a header from Nick Freeman’s cross go over while Scott Kashket’s effort from point-blank range hit Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips at the start of the second half.

Akinfenwa then had another header from McCarthy’s cross saved by Phillips who also denied Chairboys captain Adam El-Abd as Wycombe’s misfortune in front of goal continued.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth, who watched his side extend their winless run to 12 matches, was adamant they will beat the drop.

He said: “I’m scratching my head every week. I will put my name to that performance. There is no way that team who played tonight will go down, not a chance.

“Teams in and around us coming up will not be able to live with us. We have to do it Saturday at Southend and the week after.

“We should have scored. I’m as baffled as anyone. It was one chance and we are getting punished.

“We created plenty of chances. I was expecting the goal to come. Getting away from home might help and we will give the same performance, attitude and endeavour.

“There is no magic formation now. It’s down to grit and effort.

“They’ve run through a brick wall for me and that’s all I can ask.”