‘A coup’ – rival League One boss reckons Charlton have landed a gem in Charlie Kirk
Karl Robinson has described Charlton Athletic’s capture of Charlie Kirk as a “coup”.
The winger signed for the Addicks on Thursday but did not make their matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Oxford United.
And U’s boss Robinson, who had a spell in charge of Charlton, is confident that his former club have done a shrewd piece of business signing Kirk.
“He was my favourite winger until Christmas last year,” said Robinson. “He was brilliant. He was playing behind [Harry] Pickering, who was the best left-back in the division last season.
“The problems that Crewe caused us last season – it was him on one side, [Owen] Dale on the other and Pickering and [Perry] Ng in the full-back areas; you didn’t know if you were coming or going.
“They played us here and they wiped the floor with us. I think it was 2-0 on the day and Kirk was unplayable. He’s an exciting one. He floats and has got the ability to retain it. His decision-making in the final third is good as well.
“Sometimes you get wingers who look good but the final end product can dwindle away – he is a really good player.
“Signing Kirk was a big coup. I actually said to our players before ‘if you want to play Charlton – play them now – while they are still trying to bring players in’. It’s a good time to play them.
“I think you know this team is only going to get better. The two centre-backs were a real strong partnership. I like what I see in there and then two amazingly experienced full-backs – one of the best goalkeepers in the league last season.
Robinson believes that Jayden Stockley is a major problem for opposition defences, despite the Charlton striker not getting on the scoresheet against them.
He said: “I know how aggressive they were to recruit him. I can see why. He is the biggest handful we will play against all season. That was a difficult challenge.”
“He’s top drawer, isn’t he? I knew when Stevie [Gallen] got him, he was over the moon with that one. There were a few clubs that were disappointed with how that finished.”
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