Lee Bowyer reflected on a good team performance as Charlton came out victorious against Northampton Town at The Valley.
Conor Washington’s brace secured three points for the Addicks who moved to within a point of the play-off places.
Bowyer said: “Today we were good. First half, first 20 minutes we were in great positions, but the final pass wasn’t there. To score goals you have to be hungry and run an extra five or 10 yards. If we did that in the first half it would have been comfortable. I told them to do that in the second half and it’s what we did. It’s disappointing we didn’t have the clean sheet. The most important thing is three points at home and the players are really happy.”
Charlton came out hungrier in the second half and claimed all three points. The manager was full of praise for his players.
He explained: “I said to the players that everybody did well. The back four looked solid, [Darren] Pratley stepped in there and he does well. I know I can trust him. Albie [Morgan] came into the side after not being in the squad recently. He deserved his start and performed really well. The two in front of the defence [Jake Forster-Caskey and Ben Watson] protected us too. We got the win, they all played the part and let’s look forward to Saturday.
“Albie, [Jason] Pearce, Pratley and everyone played so well today. Ian [Maatsen] and [Chris] Gunter were great too, Ben [Amos] came for a lot of crosses and did that well. Everyone played a part today.”
Speaking on goal scorer Conor Washington, the manager said: “Conor is so important. Jayden [Stockley] and Chuks Aneke’s mobility isn’t natural to them. Conor does the dirty work for them, running into channels in between the centre halves. He works so hard for the team, I’m so pleased for him. He does a lot of unselfish work and got his reward tonight.”
The win sees Charlton sit one point outside of the play-offs and Lee Bowyer is looking forward to the next few games.
He said: “When you put in a performance like that you look forward to the next one. The last few games we’ve done well. We have to carry on keep doing the basics right. We have great players, we have to keep concentrating on not giving anything away and doing that means we have a chance.
“There’s no easy games. This side today [Northampton] beat Portsmouth 4-1 [on Saturday], it’s not easy. No game is easy but every game is winnable. Today we won it and deservedly so.”