The Lee Bowyer we all knew as a player isn’t the Lee Bowyer that has taken so much well to management. Yes, he’s probably still got that fire in his belly when pushed, and no, I don’t condone any of the things he did as a player that were wrong, but for me he’s a legend for what he’s done and continues to do in the short time he’s been manager. He’s managed to handle and work with our lunatic owner. Take a team that had little cohesion in an atmosphere that was toxic and get us up in just over a season, and is now building probably one of the most enjoyable teams I have had the pleasure of watching in my 30 odd years of following this club.
the Bowyer we have now is demonstrating the class, desire and high performing levels that years of playing at the top of the game does. He played under Veneables, Sir Bobby Robson and reached a champions League semi final. He accepts nothing less than a 100% in everything that he does, and everything that his players do. His positivity and belief is off the scale and the way he carries himself suggests he truly believes we could go further.
As bob says, I’m ecstatic other team’s fans hate him. He’s everything we need and more. The shithousery or however people describe it, is great to see. I lost count over the years of how many times we’d have thrown away that lead at Blackburn away on the opening day. That doesn’t happen under Bowyer. Long may it continue and long may opposing team’s fans focus on the Bowyer of old, whilst we benefit from Bowyer as he is now
I sort of get it. His past is not exactly perfect but he has conducted himself well as far as I can see as a manager. Curbs is seen as the other extreme as he was a creative midfielder but I am sure he could be tough as a manager.
If any of those fans were to listen to a Lee Bowyer interview they would probably be quite surprised with how well he comes across, and how mature/intelligent he is. I will admit I was quite taken aback the first time I heard him.
My theory on Bowyer shows a similarity between Bowyer the player and Bower the manager. Even though both are/were completely different animals. In life, there are people that can find a way, whatever that way is. He wasn't the biggest of players and being a hard, dirty bastard made him a better player. That isn't to say he didn't go too far at times in his younger days, but to be a hard bastard, maybe you really have to be one. You can't be a soft, kind hard bastard. He was a very talented player and if he was a bit soft, there would have been no shortage of opponents bullying him.
Now, the attributes that made him a better player are not helpful as a manager. Bowyer in my view can adapt to what is needed as a manager. We looked at Bowyer the player and assumed he was not suitable to be a manager. He found a way as he is one of those people. It seems an obvious thing, but it is only a minority of people that can do this. It is a Chameleon quality.
I would think he is the right sort of person to be Prime Minister. Again, people would be up in arms if he was, but I reckon he would find a way. It is what he does. He won't be as bullish or open about it as he was in League One, the league is much tougher and we have vulnerabilities caused by our lack of money, but I think the bit of Bowyer that is finding a way is trying to find a way to go up rather than just survive.
Bowyer was the classic love him when he plays for you, hate him when he doesn’t type of player. He wound up a lot of fans around the country as a player and he hasn’t shaken that image yet, outside of SE7, but he was always there to win not make friends.
Now he’s a manager, he still wants to win not make friends and his teams will do what’s needed. I wouldn’t say we’re especially setup to be a niggly side though, far from it in fact - when we’re allowed to play our natural game, we’re bloody good to watch. However, Bowyer has filled his team with winners who will play nasty if they have to to get a result. Players like Taylor, Pearce, and Pratley have been round the block a few times and do know a trick or two. I don’t think any successful side at this level has not had that side to their game. We don’t have a bunch of divers or anything like that though.
If we setup like a Pulis, Allardyce, or Warnock side, where plan A is fight dirty, then I wouldn’t enjoy that, but when you use that side of your game to earn the right to play football, that’s all fair enough and part of the game.
On Bowyer’s personality, well... I have to admit I was skeptical about his appointment. I’d never condone some of his historical actions, but they were a long time ago and I personally wasn’t too concerned about them as a reason not to employ him. What bothered me more was that he never seemed that bright when interviewed as player and the coaching team he was originally part of wasn’t that successful. He’s blown me away though and showed I seriously misjudged him. Even aside from the fantastic results, he actually speaks quite eloquently now, and is a very honest but fair communicator. I’m sure all the players know exactly where they stand and what is expected of them, which must be a big part of the team spirit he had a fostered. He’s clearly grown up a lot from the McDonalds days. I think he’d win a lot of opposition fans over if he got more media exposure, which he is starting to get.
One thing that comes over, is how much his players love playing for him. Williams being a perfect case in point. Bowyer is a winner, and does what is needed to win. All managers will have the same attitude, but some are better than others. We all watch matches our teams are in with bias. I am bemoaning fouls against us and unpunished fouls on us throughout a game but not doing the same for our opponents. They might get the odd and rare begruding admission, that was a foul etc...
Our penalty yesterday was clear cut - certainly not one you could really argue too much about, but I'm sure a fair number of Barnsley fans will feel passionately that it wasn't. We thought the ref was blowing his whistle too much in their favour yesterday, they thought we were dirty. We were both looking at it from our own biased positions. We are not a dirty side. But we are competitive, which is going to be essential this season. If Barnsley fans feel a bit aggrieved about it, with all due respect to them as we are no different, but bloody great. I hope we go through the season with opposing fans moaning about us.
The great thing about Lee is he's shown you can outgrow your past mistakes. He's probably far less judgemental as a result and a better judge of character.
One of the things that he said was not being able to control things that are going on off the pitch. He said "I won't let it effect myself or the players". Which means he's being a strong bulwark between the players and any shenanigans going on upstairs.
They also showed him doing a one-to-one session with a player. (I think it was Bonne, but couldn't really tell, it may have been one of the youngsters.) What's so strange about that? It was after training had finished.
Solly spoke quite eloquently about what he was like...
When Bowyer came back and then was appointed Manager I was not very happy. I thought OMG what is this club doing? Loved him as a player. I missed the hat trick he scored against Wimbledon at Selhurst). Shame that is never shown on the TV !. However, within a few games I thought "God, we have a manager that knows what he is doing. Yes, I know it is not hard with the shit we have had but he alone by his tacttic, they way he wants to play the game. he single handly got my enthusiasm for Charlton again. On the back of that I boght a season ticket at the start of last seasonnd when we won at Wembley I thought "what a great decision I had made". I went up to him at the Q&A we had in Bromley and thanked him for bringing my love and enjoymemt back. This was on the back of that last minute dodgy goal by Peterboro. I knew what Bowyer really wanted to say about that ref but thankfully Henry reminded him "Lee, remembe there are children present".
When we plated Sunderland away 1st game I feared for us but felt, you know what? I wanna give Bows my full support. At least his teams will play with a bit of purpose and fight. Then in comes Beliek, Cullen from nowhere and by god did our season kick off.
It is amazing that for someone who had no interest in coming back, he is doing a fantastic job. I have suppiorted the club since the Lennie days,. The oustanding managers for me were Lennie (on a shoestring budget), Curbs, and Bows. I liked Powell at lot. He was unlucky with the owner. Bows we have someone special. In fact the setup is fantastic.
Bows - Superb Manager. JJ and Marshall excellent coaches. Gallen - what a fantastic job he does on recruitment.
Also a big thank you to Harry Kewell for inviting Bows back at Leeds to do some coaching with him and also Robinson for employing Bows as an assistant.
For the first time ever I enjoy going to football and checking to see the fixtures who we have got next.
Terrible thing jealousy. Lee Bowyer is a winner and is the best manager we have had since Curbs, he backs his players 100 per cent and fights tooth and nail to win every decision to win that advantage that may give you the points. F**k em.
The thing is, Bowyer will be happy the Barnsley fans think that way - it is the way he wants them to think. You don't want them to be happy. I think their manager respected our performance more. As for the ref, he has been criticised by ours for the complete opposite reasons he has been criticised by Barnsley fans. This might suggest, he actually had a decent enough game.
The longer he is hated by opposition teams - fans the better for us. Why leave Charlton where he is loved and risk going to a club where he might not do well and risk the fans turning on him and bringing up his past.
Money and another club he has affection for.......like Leeds? I think he will do well anywhere. But he strikes me as somebody who wants to enjoy the challenge and as long as he is doing that here, he will probably stay.
In a strange way it's nice to be the team that people hate, especially for all the right reasons and not for being thugs like the scum down in Bermondsey.
For too long we were the team that conceded last minute goals, bottling games and falling victim to teams that played the ref and doing the little niggly things that are needed to win games. Most successful teams have an element of 'shithousery' about them.
I used to be jealous of teams like that, with Shrewsbury's performance in the play offs springing to mind. Bowyer has given us more bite and whilst other fans won't like that, you can be sure that if their teams were to do the same to win a game of football then they wouldn't be complaining.
If Bowyer hadn’t started at Charlton we would give him the same grief based on his record.
Before he came in to our management team he was getting grief. I remember numerous games when we came up against him that our fans would be calling him a thug.
If Bowyer hadn’t started at Charlton we would give him the same grief based on his record.
Before he came in to our management team he was getting grief. I remember numerous games when we came up against him that our fans would be calling him a thug.
I am pleasantly surprised at just how nice a chap the mature Lee Bowyer actually is. As for his team. Can’t say I’ve seen anything that says we’re dirty. Very fit, committed and together but far from dirty or even that physical. Personally I am delighted with these new found Charlton characteristics. Over the 56 years I’ve been going Charlton have mostly been quite a soft touch.
Well of course Bowyer has got 'istory. Banned for drugs, admonished by judge in assault trial, fined for trashing McDonald's, sent off for fighting a team-mate...
I have recently seen him described by fans of other clubs as "a thug" and "a horrible little scrote".
It may seem trivial, but I noticed at the Welling pre-season friendly soon after he was recruited, that he was smiling and joking while joining in the subs' kickabout at half-time. It's not that he wasn't taking things seriously - he was simply enjoying being involved with football again. His exuberance was a pleasure to see.
We hear that Bowyer is remarkably calm in the dressing room, even when we are losing at half-time at The Valley. Whatever he says or does has a beneficial effect, because the tempo is upped in the second half - and we almost invariably win.
I like his calmness that masks a core of steel. He's a tough guy, who does not tolerate slackers and who engineers our team to play smart, attacking football.
Our best manager since Curbs, I say. Tougher than Powell, who recruited a raft of dodgy players - Sordell, Church, et al - and ultimately failed at this level.
Dare I say it but Bowyer's team might even show up against Millwall this season. With him as our manager I'm optimistic.
Agree to a certain extent.....however they (our fellow south London friends) are gonna be absolutely rilled and wound up IF we are up there and doing well. Doubt whether I'd get a ticket....but I'm bloody tempted to try and get one.
Leeds fans like what he has done for us and already are lining him up to replace Bielsa if he leaves at year end.
That is absolutely true of some Leeds fans for certain, my general manager is extremely envious of us, and is already talking to various people to get him in. I told him to forget it as he’s Charlton born and bread and loves it here.
The other thing is Leeds were prepared to pay 2.8 for him in 1996 (that is 23 years ago). He has appeared in the Champions league and scored against Barcelona, AC Milan and Anderlecht. He also got to the semi final of the UEFA cup. Add to that his hard reputation and evident man management skills. In short he has been there, done it and got the T shirt.
Can you imagine being a young pro and arguing against him? ... Nor can I.
Our best manager since Curbs, I say. Tougher than Powell, who recruited a raft of dodgy players - Sordell, Church, et al - and ultimately failed at this level.
That's hardly fair on Powell, is it?
That record 101 points League One title winning season, Powell reconstructed virtually the whole team, brought in some very decent players for the level - and integrated them into the best team in the division.
You mention Sordell and Church as your examples of Powell signings ..... but no context of the desperation and frustration of having his budget axed in the pre-season.
Why no reference to other Powell signings Kermorgant, Stephens, Wiggins, Bradley Phillips, Matt Taylor and a host of others who not only won the League title but became the nucleus of the team that the next season finished 9th in the Championship?
And he "ultimately failed at this level" by reaching the FA Cup Quarter Final, a team in the relegation places but having FIVE games in hand over relegation rivals - and having the balls to stand up to Duchatelet undermining his every move.
Leeds fans like what he has done for us and already are lining him up to replace Bielsa if he leaves at year end.
What's the fishing like in Leeds?
Given Leed's current manager makes £6,000,000 per year, even if LB makes a fraction of that, he can fly to Montana to fish on a Gulfstream IV every month in his down time.
Comments
the Bowyer we have now is demonstrating the class, desire and high performing levels that years of playing at the top of the game does. He played under Veneables, Sir Bobby Robson and reached a champions League semi final. He accepts nothing less than a 100% in everything that he does, and everything that his players do. His positivity and belief is off the scale and the way he carries himself suggests he truly believes we could go further.
As bob says, I’m ecstatic other team’s fans hate him. He’s everything we need and more. The shithousery or however people describe it, is great to see. I lost count over the years of how many times we’d have thrown away that lead at Blackburn away on the opening day. That doesn’t happen under Bowyer. Long may it continue and long may opposing team’s fans focus on the Bowyer of old, whilst we benefit from Bowyer as he is now
Now, the attributes that made him a better player are not helpful as a manager. Bowyer in my view can adapt to what is needed as a manager. We looked at Bowyer the player and assumed he was not suitable to be a manager. He found a way as he is one of those people. It seems an obvious thing, but it is only a minority of people that can do this. It is a Chameleon quality.
I would think he is the right sort of person to be Prime Minister. Again, people would be up in arms if he was, but I reckon he would find a way. It is what he does. He won't be as bullish or open about it as he was in League One, the league is much tougher and we have vulnerabilities caused by our lack of money, but I think the bit of Bowyer that is finding a way is trying to find a way to go up rather than just survive.
Now he’s a manager, he still wants to win not make friends and his teams will do what’s needed. I wouldn’t say we’re especially setup to be a niggly side though, far from it in fact - when we’re allowed to play our natural game, we’re bloody good to watch. However, Bowyer has filled his team with winners who will play nasty if they have to to get a result. Players like Taylor, Pearce, and Pratley have been round the block a few times and do know a trick or two. I don’t think any successful side at this level has not had that side to their game. We don’t have a bunch of divers or anything like that though.
If we setup like a Pulis, Allardyce, or Warnock side, where plan A is fight dirty, then I wouldn’t enjoy that, but when you use that side of your game to earn the right to play football, that’s all fair enough and part of the game.
On Bowyer’s personality, well... I have to admit I was skeptical about his appointment. I’d never condone some of his historical actions, but they were a long time ago and I personally wasn’t too concerned about them as a reason not to employ him. What bothered me more was that he never seemed that bright when interviewed as player and the coaching team he was originally part of wasn’t that successful. He’s blown me away though and showed I seriously misjudged him. Even aside from the fantastic results, he actually speaks quite eloquently now, and is a very honest but fair communicator. I’m sure all the players know exactly where they stand and what is expected of them, which must be a big part of the team spirit he had a fostered. He’s clearly grown up a lot from the McDonalds days. I think he’d win a lot of opposition fans over if he got more media exposure, which he is starting to get.
Our penalty yesterday was clear cut - certainly not one you could really argue too much about, but I'm sure a fair number of Barnsley fans will feel passionately that it wasn't. We thought the ref was blowing his whistle too much in their favour yesterday, they thought we were dirty. We were both looking at it from our own biased positions. We are not a dirty side. But we are competitive, which is going to be essential this season. If Barnsley fans feel a bit aggrieved about it, with all due respect to them as we are no different, but bloody great. I hope we go through the season with opposing fans moaning about us.
Pleased for him at how well he has done.
One of the things that he said was not being able to control things that are going on off the pitch. He said "I won't let it effect myself or the players". Which means he's being a strong bulwark between the players and any shenanigans going on upstairs.
They also showed him doing a one-to-one session with a player. (I think it was Bonne, but couldn't really tell, it may have been one of the youngsters.) What's so strange about that? It was after training had finished.
Solly spoke quite eloquently about what he was like...
It is what it is.
When we plated Sunderland away 1st game I feared for us but felt, you know what? I wanna give Bows my full support. At least his teams will play with a bit of purpose and fight. Then in comes Beliek, Cullen from nowhere and by god did our season kick off.
It is amazing that for someone who had no interest in coming back, he is doing a fantastic job.
I have suppiorted the club since the Lennie days,. The oustanding managers for me were Lennie (on a shoestring budget), Curbs, and Bows.
I liked Powell at lot. He was unlucky with the owner. Bows we have someone special.
In fact the setup is fantastic.
Bows - Superb Manager.
JJ and Marshall excellent coaches.
Gallen - what a fantastic job he does on recruitment.
Also a big thank you to Harry Kewell for inviting Bows back at Leeds to do some coaching with him and also Robinson for employing Bows as an assistant.
For the first time ever I enjoy going to football and checking to see the fixtures who we have got next.
I have not done that in a long long time.
F**k em.
For too long we were the team that conceded last minute goals, bottling games and falling victim to teams that played the ref and doing the little niggly things that are needed to win games. Most successful teams have an element of 'shithousery' about them.
I used to be jealous of teams like that, with Shrewsbury's performance in the play offs springing to mind. Bowyer has given us more bite and whilst other fans won't like that, you can be sure that if their teams were to do the same to win a game of football then they wouldn't be complaining.
I have recently seen him described by fans of other clubs as "a thug" and "a horrible little scrote".
It may seem trivial, but I noticed at the Welling pre-season friendly soon after he was recruited, that he was smiling and joking while joining in the subs' kickabout at half-time. It's not that he wasn't taking things seriously - he was simply enjoying being involved with football again. His exuberance was a pleasure to see.
We hear that Bowyer is remarkably calm in the dressing room, even when we are losing at half-time at The Valley. Whatever he says or does has a beneficial effect, because the tempo is upped in the second half - and we almost invariably win.
I like his calmness that masks a core of steel. He's a tough guy, who does not tolerate slackers and who engineers our team to play smart, attacking football.
Our best manager since Curbs, I say. Tougher than Powell, who recruited a raft of dodgy players - Sordell, Church, et al - and ultimately failed at this level.
Can you imagine being a young pro and arguing against him? ... Nor can I.
That record 101 points League One title winning season, Powell reconstructed virtually the whole team, brought in some very decent players for the level - and integrated them into the best team in the division.
You mention Sordell and Church as your examples of Powell signings ..... but no context of the desperation and frustration of having his budget axed in the pre-season.
Why no reference to other Powell signings Kermorgant, Stephens, Wiggins, Bradley Phillips, Matt Taylor and a host of others who not only won the League title but became the nucleus of the team that the next season finished 9th in the Championship?
And he "ultimately failed at this level" by reaching the FA Cup Quarter Final, a team in the relegation places but having FIVE games in hand over relegation rivals - and having the balls to stand up to Duchatelet undermining his every move.