Lee Bowyer revealed he’s “pleased in a way” as Charlton were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle at The Valley.
Luke Jephcott broke the deadlock on the hour mark with a deft finish past Ashley Maynard-Brewer and the forward’s goal proved to be enough to book the visitors a place in the second-round.
Prioritising the League
“Am I disappointed we’re out of the cup? Not really, not in a disrespectful way because I love the cup, but the league is more important to me and always has been,” Bowyer explained post-match. “I’ve said all along, I never ever prioritise the cups. No disrespect but we’re not going to win it.
“Some good things. Some bad things. But we’re out of the cup. I’m pleased in a way.”
Bowyer’s sense of relief comes as no real surprise, with Saturday’s encounter being his side’s seventh game in just three weeks thanks to the chaotic calendar thrown up by the Sky Bet League One fixture list.
Wholesale Changes
The Addicks manager made eight changes from the side that defeated Fleetwood Town 3-2 on Tuesday night including a first Charlton start for Marcus Maddison, but Bowyer was far from impressed with the players he gave a chance to.
“I was disappointed with some performances. People that you give them a chance now and say, ‘come on then, persuade me why you should play in the next league game.’ None of them new lads that came back into the side from Tuesday night said to me ‘yeah, I’m your man.’
“I’ve just said there to Maddison, ‘I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt’. He’s just come back from an ankle injury and he’s the one exception you can give a bit of leeway to.”
The 27-year-old made his first competitive start since February when he lined up for Hull against Barnsley in the Sky Bet Championship.
“Apart from a couple of them [Chuks Aneke and Charlie Barker], no one jumped out at me and that disappoints me,” said Bowyer.
Next Up
The Addicks continue their domestic campaign on Tuesday evening when they take on Leyton Orient in the Papa John’s EFL Trophy at The Valley (7pm).
Bowyer’s side then have an 11-day rest before returning to league affairs, with the home clash against Rochdale, scheduled for Saturday 14 November, postponed due to international call-ups for Charlton’s Welsh trio Chris Gunter, Jonny Williams and Dylan Levitt, while Conor Washington is also away representing Northern Ireland.
“Charlton Athletic” by Ewan-M is licensed under CC BY-SA
