REACTION | Robinson salutes tireless, 10-man Addicks


Greg Stubley reports from the Macron Stadium

Charlton boss Karl Robinson saluted his side for their tireless effort in coming from behind with 10-men to defeat promotion-seeking Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Addicks were reduced to a man less in the 12th minute after Josh Vela was brought down by Lewis Page on the edge of the box, with the full-back receiving his marching orders for being the last man.

Bolton subsequently took advantage through a fine Zach Clough free-kick, but Robinson’s men soon responded when Patrick Bauer nodded home Jake Forster-Caskey’s free-kick after 23 minutes.

Charlton then took the lead just before half-time when Nathan Byrne converted a superb Forster-Caskey assist, following the debutant’s tenacious work in beating two Bolton players before supplying the ball for the Wigan loanee to finish.

And Robinson was delighted with his side’as effort and determination in securing the three points.

“We were excellent," he said. "Hopefully the fans are proud of the team, I’m trying to give them some pride back into their club and I’m hoping we are doing that.

“I felt sorry for Lewis because it wasn’t even his man and he did unbelievably well to get there in the first place.

“We had a few shots and looked to move the ball then got that sucker punch with the red card.

“However, we re-shuffled, put Joe Aribo out to the left and Tony Watt worked his socks off and was even disappointed to come off. Everyone to a man deserves to take the plaudits - they were excellent.”

Despite’s Bolton’s position in the League One table, Charlton more than matched their hosts, continuing a run of a five games unbeaten, some form that Robinson wants to see continue.

He said: “This is a good side who are third, we’ve come here with 10 men for 80 minutes and got a victory.

“We’ve got to keep that run going, we can move on now to Fleetwood who have had a good run of momentum but we know we can match them.”

With the January transfer window concluding on Tuesday night, Robinson did not hold back his desire to get another player in but did insist that he has to be for the right price.

He said: “We are getting more players back, with Ricky Holmes coming in and he’ll play on the wing next week with Chicksen dropping to left-back.

“But we need more players on the bench so we need another winger or striker who can play as a winger.

“The owner says I can bring in players but I can’t get my head around certain figures for certain players.

“I need to make sure the player makes the club better for the longevity. I want players who excite me and are the right fit and I think the fans like that.”



Read Time: 3 mins