Lee Bowyer expecting no issues over signing new Charlton deal – but sole focus now is play-off glory
Lee Bowyer has put thoughts of his own future on the back burner as he gives full focus to Charlton’s promotion crunch.
The Addicks head to Doncaster Rovers on Sunday for the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final.
And the SE7 outfit are going into what they hope will be three huge ties without the future of their highly-rated manager resolved.
Bowyer had been linked with the managerial vacancy at QPR after the west London side has dispensed of Steve McClaren.
And his stock – already high – could soar if he can guide Charlton into the Championship.
But Bowyer says he does not expect an issue in extending his stay with the Addicks.
“I’m just concentrating on these play-off games – that’s most important,” he said. “The contract, that will get done.
“I need to make sure we are right for the next three games, if we get through our semi-final.
“I’m not worried about the contract, everyone seems to be more worried than me about it! I’m sure we’ll get there.”
Bowyer has rejected any suggestion that Charlton’s experience of the play-offs 12 months ago – when they lost to Shrewsbury Town in the semi-finals – is something that can be used as a positive.
“I don’t think it is,” he said. “Out of our starting 11 now, how many of them played last year in the play-offs? Joe [Aribo], Pat [Bauer] and Anfernee [Dijksteel]. That’s it.
“It is not like we have got the same side. And the other thing is you just can’t control the emotions of the day.
“That’s the most important thing to me. To make it as normal a game as possible, because emotions can take over and then it can go wrong for players and how they handle it.
“We have got a young side but I’m sure we have played enough big games this season already for them to see how to handle these big matches.”
PICTURE BY KEITH GILLARD
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