Millwall are shedding their ‘long-ball’ tag according to Charlton boss Lee Bowyer.

Bowyer, who takes his side to The Den on Saturday, feels the ‘long-ball’ or ‘direct’ tag they’ve been branded with over the last few seasons is not warranted.

With former Derby, Birmingham, Stoke and Burton boss Gary Rowett now leading the Lions pack, Bowyer feels they aren’t given the credit they deserve when it comes to playing attractive football, praising the newly appointed manager.

“He’s very good,” he said.

“Two year ago he was the main man, everybody wanted him.

“He has his own style of playing, they’re solid out of possession, and they look to pass the ball when they’re in possession.

“He’s been successful at other clubs and know the division inside out.

“He’s a very good appointment.”

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Millwall have tasted victory and defeat in Rowett’s opening two fixtures, and despite going down 2-1 in their last showing at Reading, Bowyer was left impressed by what he sees as progression with The Den outfit.

“I think things have changed from that ‘long ball’ and physical game.

“Myself and Jacko (Johnie Jackson) went to reading game, and they tried to play.

“Yes they have people they can bring off the bench and maybe go more direct.

“But they weren’t direct, weren’t long ball, they tried to play and they looked decent.

“They have good players.”

'They've done well'

With just two games under his belt, Millwall are far from being the team with the Rowett stamp on, making analysing and preparing for them even more difficult says Bowyer.

“You can only analyse the team he’s at, analyse the team with the players he’s working with, the ones he’s got.

“It’s be pointless trying to analyse Derby or Birmingham.

“But he’s had two games, and they’ve done well.”