Millwall at The Den is the perfect game for Charlton to bounce back from the disappointing display against Preston says Lee Bowyer.

The Addicks ‘tough run’ of fixtures saw them play five out of the top six in recent weeks, finishing with a self-confessed poor display in the 1-0 defat at The Valley last Sunday against Preston.

With the Lions at The Den tomorrow however, Bowyer believes it’ll provide a tough test but the ideal opportunity to right some wrongs.

“It’s the perfect game,” he said.

“Last weekend we weren’t great for a couple of reasons, but we haven’t had many of them.

 “But we weren’t bad, we just weren’t at our normal standard, so I think it’s the perfect game to get us back.

“I thought we lacked energy and this is a game you can’t lack energy, so it’s come at a good time for us.

“The atmosphere, the occasion, since I’ve taken over in these big games, we’ve always stood up and matched our opposition, and I think it’s a good time for this game to come around for us."

Be Realistic

Despite the manner of the defeat to Preston, and Bowyer admitting they were below par, he was also quick to point out how it be a positive, showing how far the club has gone under his stewardship.

“We have had a tough run of games,” he added.

“But I’m realistic, we had a little blip and I was disappointed.

“But I look at the positives, look how far we’ve come in 18-months.

“We’ve gone toe to toe with Preston and they weren’t better than us and they’ve gone top, we would’ve gone level with them if we won.

“And we had chances.

“So we are there or there abouts, certainly higher than where people expect us to be.

“I accept it wasn’t the best performance but I’m not going to start losing faith.

“I know we’re doing well and giving everything.

“There’ll be the odd time we make mistakes but that’s how football is.

“But from where we came from to know, we need to be realistic!

“I don’t like losing but I’m a realist and we will lose, whether we like it or not.”

“The atmosphere, the occasion, since I’ve taken over in these big games, we’ve always stood up and matched our opposition, and I think it’s a good time for this game to come around for us."

READ:Bowyer gives derby day injury news