Bowyer impressed with Vennings and Maynard-Brewer as Charlton triumph against Brighton U21s

Lee Bowyer was happy with what he saw from his young side as the Addicks triumphed in a penalty shootout after having the better of a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Trophy.

The Charlton Manager highlighted impressive performances from James Vennings and Ashley Maynard-Brewer and explained that there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

He said: "I think it was a good run out. The positives were that, again, at times we got from back to front well and there was a lot of composure out there. We’ve worked on things yesterday and the day before and you could see them trying to do the right things. There were a lot of youngsters out there and it’s good experience for them.

"There was 60 minutes for Ben Watson which is important and Albie Morgan got a goal so hopefully it now might register something with him because he scored from about five or six yards out and I keep saying to him that you just have to run that little bit further into the box and things will drop for you. So hopefully that might trigger something for him."

When asked about transfers, Bowyer explained that they have players lined up but the league's salary cap is causing problems for the Addicks' plans.

"I like Marcus [Maddison] and we did try to sign him in January, but I like a lot of people and there’s plenty of players being thrown at us at the moment and we’ve got to make sure that we make the right decisions because we don’t have much to play with in the budget and we have to make sure we get it right.

"We’re working hard every hour. When I leave the stadium now I’ll be straight on the phone to Steve Gallen and seeing if anything’s developed since before the game.

"Two hours before the game I had a meeting with Steve, a player and his agent. Someone else that we’re interested in and we’re trying to get over the line. It’s not that easy because we don’t have much to play with because of this cap. The cap is absolutely killing us at the moment."

When asked about Charlton's next game Bowyer made it clear it's a game he wants to win but admitted it's an upward battle against already completed sides in the league.

"I want to win every game. Sunderland will bring back some good memories but we’ve just got to try and put out the best side we can and try and compete and pick up as many points as we can while we’re in this period where we’re weaker than other teams.

"That’s plain to see because we’ve played three league games and won one and lost two. It’s not what I want and it’s not good enough. I accept that but I believe that by the time that the window closes we’ll be a lot stronger and we’ll be able to compete properly.

"They’re a strong physical side, a good Sunderland side. I spoke to someone earlier in the week and what I said to him was that 90% of the teams that we’re playing have their squads finished and they’re ready and rolling.

"They had their squads before this cap came in whilst we were behind under the embargo. The players that we’re signing now are behind time because they’ve not been signed and they’re definitely not able to play games.

"I know that we will get it right. We lost some good players in the summer and we’ve just got to re-build it."

Watch Bowyer's full press conference on Valley Pass.

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