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Charlton have overachieved this season, there is no doubt, considering that they lost their top scorer in January and were unable to replace him.

They have still been able to steamroller their way into a play-off spot, however, with the chance to seize promotion just around the corner.

With limited resources and backing, Lee Bowyer deserves an enormous amount of credit for the job he’s done and you’d think that tying the former midfielder down for the next few years would be a priority for Roland Duchatelet and co.

However, if Bowyer’s increasingly frustrating press conferences are anything to go by, then little progress is being made on the part of the controversial Belgian owner, while the impressive manager has been left in the dark.

Speaking in his pre-Gillingham presser, an exasperated Bowyer admitted that he has no control of the situation and “it is what it is”.

It would be a complete disaster if Duchatelet continued to procrastinate and Bowyer was allowed to be snatched away in the summer.

This could have some huge consequences at The Valley…

Transfer domino effect

With the likes of Joe Aribo and Patrick Bauer also on deals which are due to expire at the end of the campaign, the way in which Duchatelet has handled Bowyer’s situation should have alarm bells ringing for the aforementioned duo, who have been a big part of the Addicks’ success in 2019.

Bauer is already proving a tough nut to crack, with the centre-back hinting that promotion to the Championship is the only thing that could keep him at SE7, although he could seek an exit anyway if Bowyer isn’t at the helm next season. The same goes for Aribo, who has reportedly been watched by Arsenal this season.

Both players have been excellent under the 42-year-old and Duchatelet would send completely the wrong message to potentially-outgoing players should he decline to negotiate new terms with the Addicks boss.

Fan outrage

The fans have fallen in love with Bowyer since he was appointed on a permanent basis back in September and there would be riots at The Valley if the former Newcastle man isn’t in charge next term.

Relations between the Charlton faithful and Duchatelet are already pushed to their limits and this would truly be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Check out what happened when two of Charlton’s best players faced-off in a game of ‘Splat’ in the video below…

Bowyer is one of the brightest young managers in the EFL at the moment and it would be a disaster if Charlton were to lose him to another club, potentially a Championship rival – QPR are said to be interested – with their managerial position still vacant.

If Duchatelet wants to keep the few supporters he still has at Charlton it’s essential that he gives Bowyer the deal he deserves.

Charlton slide back down the table

With Duchatelet unlikely to financially back the man in the Charlton dugout next term any more than he has Bowyer this season, the Addicks could be set for a heartbreaking slide back down the table.

Bowyer has done phenomenally well with next to no support from the hierarchy – this is surely why QPR, who are in similarly dire straits behind the scenes, see him as a great candidate – and there is no guarantee that whoever may replace him could do even half as well.

In fact, it’s more likely that they would oversee the Addicks’ demise.