'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season."
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
Angling for promotion: Lee Bowyer has swapped his serene carp lake for the stress of Charlton's dugout
- Lee Bowyer has had to delay a fishing trip because of League One play-off final - Charlton face Shrewsbury at the Valley in the semi-final first leg on Thursday - Bowyer showed little interest in returning to football after he retired as a player - He bought a carp lake and opened it up as a business for angling tourists - His deal runs until the end of the season with talks on hold until after play-offs
The downside for Lee Bowyer if he takes Charlton to the League One play-off final at Wembley on May 27 is having to delay a fishing holiday to the south of France.
'I've already got a trip booked so I'll miss a few days,' reveals the unlikeliest managerial success story of the season. 'It's a funny situation but I'd rather be preparing the lads for the most important game of their lives.'
That Bowyer will be in the home dugout for Thursday's semi-final first leg against Shrewsbury at the Valley is a major surprise in itself.
Following retirement in 2012 after a lengthy career with Charlton, Leeds, Newcastle, West Ham, Birmingham and Ipswich, he showed little interest in staying in football.
He bought a carp lake in the Champagne region, renamed it Etang de Bows and opened it up as a business for angling tourists.
Even when old Leeds team-mate Harry Kewell asked him to coach kids at Watford in 2015, there was no formal contract.
Yet the journey since has taken him back to Charlton, initially on a part-time basis, promotion to assistant manager at the start of the season, and then interim manager in March after Karl Robinson left.
Outside the top six at the time, Charlton have won six of their 10 matches under Bowyer to claim the final play-off berth.
'I had no intention coming back into the game when I'd finished playing. I didn't want to,' says 41-year-old Bowyer, as slim now as when he won his sole England cap.
'But once I dipped my toe into the coaching with Harry, it gave me the taste of that winning thing again, and being around football. It's just gone crazy from there. As a manager, I have enjoyed the tactical side most. You watch other teams and work out how to beat them.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Bowyer played under top managers including Alan Curbishley, George Graham, Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson - and he isn't afraid to acknowledge their influence.
He says: 'I learned from Sir Bobby at Newcastle that it's fine to have a joke with the players, it's allowed, as long as you keep that line where you are still in charge.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season.
'Some players need an arm around them, to be told they're the best in the world. Some need you to be firm.' What is said within the dressing room stays there, but you can be assured Bowyer remains as challenging as he was when playing in midfield.
'There has to be discipline in every club,' he stresses. His player-assistant Johnnie Jackson elaborates about the Bowyer Blowdryer. 'He can let rip and be brutally honest if the players fall short,' reveals Jackson.
'But then you move on. No grudges. He let everyone know in no uncertain manner after we'd lost at Wimbledon how disappointed he was. The players realised then they couldn't come off their level or they'd be out of the side.'
Young footballers are often perceived as being selfish and pampered. 'Not here,' says Bowyer. 'All my lads are respectful and well-mannered.
'I tell them the most important thing is to work hard for each other.
'I left two players out of the squad at Rochdale, Nicky Ajose and Harry Lennon. They asked, "Bow, can we travel anyway, we want to be part of it." You don't get that at other clubs. They'd be, "OK, see you later" and out the door.
'I've tried to make everyone professional. Not being late for meetings, something small that carries on to the pitch. Thinking you can just get through training. It's not like that. You have to train the way you play and that is the intensity I've asked for.'
Bowyer's deal runs until the end of the season with discussions on hold until after the play-offs.
Perhaps his greatest feat has been to get the Charlton fans behind the team again after years of open dissent against the regime of owner Roland Duchatelet.
'To have a Charlton man at the helm definitely helps,' says Jackson. 'It has allowed that connection between club and supporters that was lacking before. You can feel the change of atmosphere and vibe.'
On Thursday night, Bowyer can call upon bright individuals such as top scorer Ajose, Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis and 20-year-old left back Jay Dasilva, on loan from Chelsea and described by Bowyer as 'better than Ashley Cole was at his age'.
Shrewsbury finished 16 points ahead of Charlton in the regular season but the Bowyer factor could be significant. It's not time to put up the 'Gone Fishing' sign just yet.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season."
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
That's ALL Robinson did after a defeat. Must've driven Bowyer mad.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Very telling. We're playing the most exciting football I've seen in years, and it's effective. He has to be given a crack at it whatever happens.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season."
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
That's ALL Robinson did after a defeat. Must've driven Bowyer mad.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Very telling. We're playing the most exciting football I've seen in years, and it's effective. He has to be given a crack at it whatever happens.
Robinson said far too much interviews, one minute saying we have players who don't care and are a disgrace, while at other times massively praising them and hyping the likes of Konsa and Aribo as the next superstars. It's the opposite of the Curbishley approach of never getting too high after wins and never getting too low after defeats. Bowyer clearly follows the latter approach, I imagine fishing has helped him mellow
I like the stat box included. 0.5 goals conceded per game over 10 matches, and against some decent teams, is really impressive.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season."
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
That's ALL Robinson did after a defeat. Must've driven Bowyer mad.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Very telling. We're playing the most exciting football I've seen in years, and it's effective. He has to be given a crack at it whatever happens.
Not sure I'd describe it as the most exciting football for years. Personally would say it's arguably less exciting than under Robinson but what he has done (as the table above shows) is sorted out the defence and won a number of tight games 1-0 (Shrews, Pompey and Blackburn) which gives me more confidence going into tonight's game than had KR still been in charge
The most telling statistic in that table is goals conceded. Since he has been in charge 0.5 whereas it was 1.22 before. Certainly not because we have been more defensive. Obviously Jason Pearce been a big factor here.
Shrewsbury's strength is also defensive so won't be many goals over the 2 legs.
The most telling statistic in that table is goals conceded. Since he has been in charge 0.5 whereas it was 1.22 before. Certainly not because we have been more defensive. Obviously Jason Pearce been a big factor here.
Shrewsbury's strength is also defensive so won't be many goals over the 2 legs.
Just goes to show that this whole scam of needing coaching qualifications and licenses for what it is - a money spinner for the football associations.
Fraeye and Robinson had certificates galore, to the highest level but what they lacked was nous & they were way over their heads trying to motivate professional players . The experience of playing the game, learning from their own experiences and undestanding footballers as people goes hand in hand with the respect earned from actually having walked the walk.
I’m not saying you need to have played the game to be a good manager, there are a few good examples (even in our history) that proove that.
Bowyer is a breath of fresh air, I hope he stays next season whateve the outcome.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season."
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
That's ALL Robinson did after a defeat. Must've driven Bowyer mad.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Very telling. We're playing the most exciting football I've seen in years, and it's effective. He has to be given a crack at it whatever happens.
Def shows the benefit of someone having played at a high standard under some inspiring managers.... Unlike KR whose career was cut short...
I’ve said it before. Just got a feeling Bowyer is going to be our next Alan Curbishley.
Playoff failure or not I want him at the helm next season.
Still say we should have a 100% Support banner.
"Our next Alan Curbishley" - big statement based on what? I have a lot of time for the guy and would not be adverse to giving him a crack but don't see it myself, not in the immediate future anyway. When the Aussies take over I think they will bring in their own man and can't see Bow wanting to be a No. 2 again after he's had a taste of single-handed management.
I’ve said it before. Just got a feeling Bowyer is going to be our next Alan Curbishley.
Playoff failure or not I want him at the helm next season.
Still say we should have a 100% Support banner.
"Our next Alan Curbishley" - big statement based on what? I have a lot of time for the guy and would not be adverse to giving him a crack but don't see it myself, not in the immediate future anyway. When the Aussies take over I think they will bring in their own man and can't see Bow wanting to be a No. 2 again after he's had a taste of single-handed management.
Comments
glad things were probably said and kept in the dressing room, thought our performance vs rochdale was shite. Sure they were fighting for their lives but individuals like zyro were dogshit.
Article text:
Angling for promotion: Lee Bowyer has swapped his serene carp lake for the stress of Charlton's dugout
- Lee Bowyer has had to delay a fishing trip because of League One play-off final
- Charlton face Shrewsbury at the Valley in the semi-final first leg on Thursday
- Bowyer showed little interest in returning to football after he retired as a player
- He bought a carp lake and opened it up as a business for angling tourists
- His deal runs until the end of the season with talks on hold until after play-offs
The downside for Lee Bowyer if he takes Charlton to the League One play-off final at Wembley on May 27 is having to delay a fishing holiday to the south of France.
'I've already got a trip booked so I'll miss a few days,' reveals the unlikeliest managerial success story of the season. 'It's a funny situation but I'd rather be preparing the lads for the most important game of their lives.'
That Bowyer will be in the home dugout for Thursday's semi-final first leg against Shrewsbury at the Valley is a major surprise in itself.
Following retirement in 2012 after a lengthy career with Charlton, Leeds, Newcastle, West Ham, Birmingham and Ipswich, he showed little interest in staying in football.
He bought a carp lake in the Champagne region, renamed it Etang de Bows and opened it up as a business for angling tourists.
Even when old Leeds team-mate Harry Kewell asked him to coach kids at Watford in 2015, there was no formal contract.
Yet the journey since has taken him back to Charlton, initially on a part-time basis, promotion to assistant manager at the start of the season, and then interim manager in March after Karl Robinson left.
Outside the top six at the time, Charlton have won six of their 10 matches under Bowyer to claim the final play-off berth.
'I had no intention coming back into the game when I'd finished playing. I didn't want to,' says 41-year-old Bowyer, as slim now as when he won his sole England cap.
'But once I dipped my toe into the coaching with Harry, it gave me the taste of that winning thing again, and being around football. It's just gone crazy from there. As a manager, I have enjoyed the tactical side most. You watch other teams and work out how to beat them.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Bowyer played under top managers including Alan Curbishley, George Graham, Terry Venables and Sir Bobby Robson - and he isn't afraid to acknowledge their influence.
He says: 'I learned from Sir Bobby at Newcastle that it's fine to have a joke with the players, it's allowed, as long as you keep that line where you are still in charge.
'Terry Venables wouldn't say anything negative about his players in public if they'd struggled. I could have gone crazy after we lost at Rochdale last Saturday, but I thought about Terry and took a step back, I said how well they had done this season.
'Some players need an arm around them, to be told they're the best in the world. Some need you to be firm.' What is said within the dressing room stays there, but you can be assured Bowyer remains as challenging as he was when playing in midfield.
'There has to be discipline in every club,' he stresses. His player-assistant Johnnie Jackson elaborates about the Bowyer Blowdryer. 'He can let rip and be brutally honest if the players fall short,' reveals Jackson.
'But then you move on. No grudges. He let everyone know in no uncertain manner after we'd lost at Wimbledon how disappointed he was. The players realised then they couldn't come off their level or they'd be out of the side.'
Young footballers are often perceived as being selfish and pampered. 'Not here,' says Bowyer. 'All my lads are respectful and well-mannered.
'I tell them the most important thing is to work hard for each other.
'I left two players out of the squad at Rochdale, Nicky Ajose and Harry Lennon. They asked, "Bow, can we travel anyway, we want to be part of it." You don't get that at other clubs. They'd be, "OK, see you later" and out the door.
'I've tried to make everyone professional. Not being late for meetings, something small that carries on to the pitch. Thinking you can just get through training. It's not like that. You have to train the way you play and that is the intensity I've asked for.'
Bowyer's deal runs until the end of the season with discussions on hold until after the play-offs.
Perhaps his greatest feat has been to get the Charlton fans behind the team again after years of open dissent against the regime of owner Roland Duchatelet.
'To have a Charlton man at the helm definitely helps,' says Jackson. 'It has allowed that connection between club and supporters that was lacking before. You can feel the change of atmosphere and vibe.'
On Thursday night, Bowyer can call upon bright individuals such as top scorer Ajose, Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis and 20-year-old left back Jay Dasilva, on loan from Chelsea and described by Bowyer as 'better than Ashley Cole was at his age'.
Shrewsbury finished 16 points ahead of Charlton in the regular season but the Bowyer factor could be significant. It's not time to put up the 'Gone Fishing' sign just yet.
'As an assistant, you're not in control. Now I can have things done the way I want. If I fail, I'll have failed doing it my way.'
Very telling. We're playing the most exciting football I've seen in years, and it's effective. He has to be given a crack at it whatever happens.
I like the stat box included. 0.5 goals conceded per game over 10 matches, and against some decent teams, is really impressive.
Shrewsbury's strength is also defensive so won't be many goals over the 2 legs.
Fraeye and Robinson had certificates galore, to the highest level but what they lacked was nous & they were way over their heads trying to motivate professional players . The experience of playing the game, learning from their own experiences and undestanding footballers as people goes hand in hand with the respect earned from actually having walked the walk.
I’m not saying you need to have played the game to be a good manager, there are a few good examples (even in our history) that proove that.
Bowyer is a breath of fresh air, I hope he stays next season whateve the outcome.
Playoff failure or not I want him at the helm next season.
Still say we should have a 100% Support banner.
:-)