Bowyer delighted with Charlton reaction in thrashing of Scunthorpe

Posted Tuesday, April 23, 2019 by PA

Addicks boss Lee Bowyer praised his Charlton side’s impressive reaction to Good Friday’s defeat after an emphatic 4-0 demolition of Scunthorpe.

The Addicks suffered a first loss in 12 games when they went down 2-1 on Friday at the hands of former manager Karl Robinson’s Oxford United.

But goals from Anfernee Dijksteel, Joe Aribo, Igor Vetokele and a stunning Lyle Taylor free-kick ensured an instant return to winning ways as relegation-threatened Scunthorpe were put to the sword.

Bowyer said: “I thought we were very good from start to finish.

“We dominated the possession and I think we dominated the game from start to finish.

“They had the odd chance hitting us on the break but teams are going to do that because we are so expansive.

“We thoroughly deserved the win. For me I am really pleased with the lads to get that reaction today after obviously being so disappointed on Friday.”

Dijksteel came in for the suspended Chris Solly who was sent off at Oxford and took full advantage by breaking his Addicks scoring duck.

Bowyer said: “That is his first goal and probably the last player you thought would end up being in that position.

“He is up and down, up and down all day and I’m really pleased for him because he works hard.”

And the Addicks chief was equally impressed by top scorer Taylor’s free-kick which completed the rout.

Bowyer added: “He is a great player. To do what he has done there, there aren’t many players in this division who can do that.

“Not even just that, his work rate and all round play again today and on Friday means he is becoming a very, very good player.”

Scunthorpe are in the relegation zone, a point adrift of safety, with only two games remaining against Bradford and Plymouth to preserve their League One status.

Next up is a home clash with the already relegated Bantams and caretaker manager Andy Dawson is challenging his beleaguered squad to reproduce their positive early display at The Valley before Charlton pulled clear.

He said: “Their quality told. In terms of chances and opportunities I thought it was pretty even.

“At 55 minutes my belief was the next goal was going to be ours. Ten minutes later they had scored three goals.

“When you are clinical like that, that is why teams end up in the top six.

“If we perform like we did for 55 minutes we will be alright. But you can’t have ten minute periods like we had, especially against teams like Charlton.

“There were some positives that came out of our performance. We have to show them because we have 180 minutes in two games to go and give everything we can to get us out of the situation we are in.”