Charlton vs Sunderland: Lee Bowyer on getting Addicks fans back on side during Roland Duchatelets controversial reign

Charlton vs Sunderland: Lee Bowyer on getting Addicks fans back on side during Roland Duchatelets controversial reign
Lee Bowyer has revealed one of his biggest aims as Charlton boss was to get fans back onside.The Addicks are set to sell out their 36,000-plus allocation for Wembley as they take on Sunderland in the League One play-off final on Sunday.Getty2

Lee Bowyer (left) and assistant Johnnie Jackson (right) have helped turn around the club’s fortunes

Supporters have been protesting against controversial owner Roland Duchatelet for most of his five-year spell in SE7.The Belgian, who is eager to sell up, has hired seven different managers, sold Charltons best players and accused fans of wanting the club to fail.Despite the unrest, Bowyer, along with assistant and club legend Johnnie Jackson, have brought the feel-good factor back to the Valley since replacing Karl Robinson 15 months ago.Speaking on Wednesdays Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Bowyer told talkSPORT: No one tipped us to be in the top six so to have a day out at Wembley, its a great achievement for our football club.Getty2

Roland Duchatelet is hugely unpopular at the Valley

At the start of the season, the big thing for me was to try to bring the fans and players together because everyone knows there was a lot of negativity around the football club before I came in.I wanted to bring them back together and make sure they were part of the journey that we were going to go on.I honestly did believe that we had a good chance [of promotion] this season and to make our home ground a bit of a fortress.When youre playing and youve got good crowds behind you, all the fans want to see is the players giving 100 per cent and that was something I demand from my players.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• England Women vs Denmark Women (Saturday, 1pm) – talkSPORT
• Newport County vs Tranmere (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT
• Charlton vs Sunderland (Sunday, 3pm) – talkSPORT

The fans see that and then they come back and the place is erupting. The other night [against Doncaster], we filled the Valley for the first time in I dont know how many years. Its just been great from start to finish.Charlton are just one game away from ending their three-year exile from the Championship.They face Sunderland in a repeat of the thrilling 1998 Division One play-off final, which the Addicks won on penalties.Promotion would see Bowyer go head-to-head with former club Leeds next season.That would be interesting, but its one step at a time, were just delighted to be where we are at the moment,” he added. We know the jobs not done, I know the players are going to give me everything, with the crowd behind us, you dont know whats going to happen on the day.You saw in 98, what a crazy day that was, Im hopeful and I believe in our lads and well be ready come Sunday.The League One play-off final between Charlton and Sunderland is LIVE on talkSPORT on 26 May at 3pm.

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed why Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench for their match against Fulham. The Manchester United interim manager made six changes to his starting line-up for
Fulham vs Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - goal.com

---

Daniel James will undergo a medical with Manchester United on Thursday ahead of his £18m move from Swansea, Sky Sports News understands. United are close to completing a deal for the 21-year-old
Daniel James to undergo Manchester United medical TODAY ahead

---

Thibaut Courtois has snubbed a potential move to Manchester United this summer in a swap deal with Real Madrid transfer target David de Gea, according to reports. Real Madrid have held interest in
David de Gea has lost his form for Man Utd but Real Madrid

---

Oct 28, 2018 · Following the heartbreaking confirmation that Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of the The Premier League title win, one of world football's all-time great stories, is of

---

Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates with Moussa Sissoko after the match Action Images via Reuters. A halftime visit to the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room by injured striker Harry Kane helped inspire his side's remarkable 3-2 victory over Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Tottenham Stuns Ajax 3-2 to Reach Champions League Final

---

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri happy with midfielder's impact 'from a tactical point of view' Loftus-Cheek was a second-half goalscorer as Chelsea secured a 2-0 win against
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri happy with

---

West Ham transfer news: Latest update on Gomez, Carroll, Arnautovic and Adams unhappy hammer. West Ham ace Marko Arnautovic's attitude blasted after failed transfer saga Football EXCLUSIVE
Premier League footballers who have conceded - fp-news.com

---

But Shaqiri insists now the focus is fully on the title race as Liverpool host Wolves on Sunday hoping Manchester City slip up at Brighton which would hand them their first English league crown in 29 years. The Swiss international said: "I have won the Champions League with Bayern Munich and I know what it is like to win this title.
Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd, LIVE stream online: Premier League

---

Aston Villa 4-2 Birmingham City: Hosts claim bragging rights by winning entertaining Second City derby The scoreline flatters Villa with both teams squaring up to one another very well By talkSPORT
Aston Villa 4-2 Birmingham City: Hosts claim bragging rights

---

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey to step down at the end of the season as he reveals competition will move in a 'different direction' after the play-offs. English Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey will step down from his role at the end of the season.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey to step down at the end of

---

Everton fans angered as tower which features on club crest is vandalised in wake of Liverpool's Champions League victory A number 'six' has been painted on Prince Rupert's Tower just days after
Everton fans angered as tower which features on club crest is

---

Alan Sugar trolls Piers Morgan and Arsenal fans after Tottenham book Champions League final place Alan Sugar trolled Arsenal supporters and old foe Piers Morgan on talkSPORT after Tottenham's miraculous Champions League comeback against Ajax. The former Spurs chairman was on a wind-up mission on.. talkSPORT - Published 2 weeks ago
Alan Sugar in furious row with George Galloway over 'anti

---

Mohamed Salah stole the show as Liverpool overcame rivals Chelsea to show off their title credentials at the business end of the season. Salah's wonder goal went down as an instant with supporters.
Liverpool 2 Tottenham 0: 'I like VAR now!' - Mohamed Salah

---