Charlton boss explains substitution strategy – and why he can’t win with changes

By Richard Cawley

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Karl Robinson reckons he cannot win in terms of criticism over substitutions.

The Charlton boss was speaking after tonight’s 1-1 draw with Bradford City.

Josh Magennis headed the South Londoners into the lead before a late equaliser from Tyrell Robinson.

Robinson did not make the first of two changes until the 84th minute when Michal Zyro replaced Mark Marshall.

The Addicks manager said: “We just felt on the touchline that sometimes you’re eager to make a sub but the game is so frantic that to come onto that level and speed…it’s different when you’re getting beat because the team is on the back foot.

“But when you’re in the moment, sometimes when we put subs on in the 80th minute we find they take two or three minutes to get into the game and we don’t have time – we’re under pressure.

“It’s funny. They say you could put a defensive substitution on the other day and we get criticised for putting a defensive substitution on. We put on two offensive substitutions on against Oxford and I got criticised. You don’t put a substitution on and you get criticised for not putting any substitutions on.

“The substitutions we have made on Saturday and today, we’ve conceded through two deflections and you can’t knock my players for that – please don’t. Please. Two points behind them but with two games in hand. Two points ahead of the team below us with two games in hand. C’mon – we’re not in that bad a position. We were in a lot worse position this time last year, just that then we built up such a frenzy and excitement.”