Bowyer on the final game against Rochdale, resting players, injury concerns and player fitness

Lee Bowyer spoke to the local press this morning ahead of Charlton’s final game against Rochdale on Saturday.

The full press conference will be available on Valley Pass this afternoon. Valley Pass costs just £6.50 per month. 

Below are some of this morning’s talking points. 

On the importance of the game against Rochdale and looking towards the play-offs…

“Like I said before, every game is important. They all have different types of importance. Every game we go out to play we want to win. We want to keep this good run we’re on going and we’re in a good place and the most important thing is keeping that winning mentality because it’s a good habit to have. But there will be changes again." 

On resting players…

"We were without Lyle (Taylor), Patrick (Bauer) and Krystian (Bielik) last weekend due to injuries but I feel we need to give them time this weekend because of sharpness, I don’t want them going too long without playing. If we wait for the play-offs then they’ll have gone without playing for two weeks and my worry is that they’ll lose a bit of sharpness, so they’ll be involved on Saturday for sure. The lads that played last weekend were outstanding and it topped them up for some minutes too, and you don’t know what’s around the corner, there could be injuries and suspensions and things that you can’t control. So, I’m just trying to make sure that everyone gets some time and put out the right side to win the game as well."

On injuries…

"Johnny Williams is in (the treatment room). He got injured last week against Gillingham. It's a twisted his ankle so he’ll be out this weekend but that’s the only one I think."

On squad fitness playing a big part…

"I think our fitness is different to other teams that we’ve played. Again, that goes down to hard work, you don’t just get fit from walking around! Every day the lads train how they play and that’s something I’ve demanded from the beginning. After Gillingham you could think that maybe they’d take their foot of the pedal going into the last game, it’s been lovely weather, but they’re at it and they realise what an opportunity they have, and what the reward is at the end."

The full press conference is available to watch in full on.Valley Pass.

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