Charlton caretaker boss Lee Bowyer revealed his players only started working on their 4-4-2 diamond formation yesterday.

The system switch paid dividends today after Charlton beat promotion rivals Plymouth 2-0 at the Valley.

Karl Robinson, who left the Charlton hotseat to join Oxford United on Thursday, was criticised by fans for sticking to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bowyer told News Shopper: “We worked on that yesterday. I watched Plymouth on Wednesday against Bristol Rovers and their sitting midfield ran the game against a 4-4-2 formation.

“I was worried about that because they were at home and in my first game in charge I didn't want them to dictate the game here.

“So I thought how can I counteract that? I thought a diamond would do well against that, we’ve got players who can play in that formation.

“That was the reason why I went with the diamond today, it doesn't mean I’m going to do that on Friday.

“I’ll watch [Friday’s opponents] Northampton, look at them and see what I think is the best way to play. I played the diamond today because I wanted to stop their sitting midfielder dictating the play and reverse that because Jake Forster-Caskey is very good on the ball.

“I don't think you can play one formation. You can’t do that. How can you do that?

“Each opposition team is different so I can’t just have one formation and say ‘we’re going to play like this’ because it won’t work in all the games.

“So then what, do I write off those games by playing a formation that’s not going to work? It doesn't make sense to me.”

Goals from Lewis Page and Michal Zyro moved the Addicks to within two points of the top six. 

It was the perfect start for Bowyer, who praised his players' committed performance.

He said: “It couldn't have gone any better. Three points, a clean sheet and everybody worked hard. We moved the ball well and created chances. We could've scored four or five. 

“Our keeper made a great save at 1-0. They’re a good team, but we deserved the win. It was perfect and the players did everything I asked for. I’m really proud of them.”

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