Bowyer on the return of Karl Robinson ahead of tomorrow's game against Oxford United

Charlton Athletic host Oxford United tomorrow which will see U's Manager Karl Robinson return to The Valley in an official role for the first time since leaving the club in March.

Speaking ahead of the game, Lee Bowyer, who took over after Robinson departed, said he hoped his predecessor would get a good response from Charlton faithful.

Bowyer was invited to help the Addicks coaching staff by Robinson in January 2017 and after impressing he was appointed Assistant Manager that summer.

Tickets for tomorrow's match against Oxford United are available to purchase here.

When asked if he was grateful to his former boss Bowyer : “Of course, he brought me back into the game. The way it all just fitted into place was crazy and I have thanked him. Karl’s gone on now and gone to Oxford and is doing his own thing and he’s going to be coming tomorrow and you know what it is like when you go back to somewhere where you’ve been before, you want to win that little bit more and Karl is no different to anybody. He’s a winner and he’ll be getting his side ready for tomorrow’s game, just like we are. 

“It’s going to be a tough one. We know how Karl likes to play, obviously working underneath him, he’s got a philosophy of playing and it’s exciting football at times. I expect them to come, be attacking and see what happens at the end.”

When asked about the reception he expected his former boss to get he said: “I hope he gets a good one. He didn’t do nothing wrong here. I’m hopeful that it’s a positive one because he definitely did some good stuff here.”

Bowyer also explained he’s enjoyed his time since taking over from Robinson and believes his team’s performance against Barnsley on Saturday was the best performance since he embarked on his managerial career. He said: “I like to think things have changed a bit. I’ve got my way of doing things and playing and at the moment I’m reasonably happy with where we are. I think we should be a bit higher than where we are but it’s a long way to go but the most pleasing thing for me is that we have a good squad of players. A bit of a mixture, a bit of everything and they are all fighting for the same outcome. 

“The togetherness that we have is, probably 90% of the manager’s in any league would say the same, but what we do have is unique and I’ve been in dressing rooms similar to what we have here and we have that good base to work from and we have some good players as well to go along with that. 

“The whole club I think has come together, it seems a happy place. The fans are behind us every week, home and away. I think they are enjoying the football that they are seeing being played and the way the team compete and fight for each other. That’s all you want as a fan is to see your players try as hard as they can and that is definitely something that I have installed into them because that is the way I am and the way I was. I wouldn’t accept anything less.” 

Bowyer's full interview will be available to watch on Valley Pass later today.

Tickets for tomorrow's match against Oxford United are available to purchase here.

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