Karl Robinson: Things will have to change at Charlton for the club to become successful again – give Jackson the reins to do what he needs

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Former Charlton boss Karl Robinson says things might have to change at The Valley for the club to become successful again – but not the role of manager Johnnie Jackson.

Robinson’s Oxford United ran out emphatic 4-0 winners in SE7 on Saturday as the Addicks were blown away by their former boss.

Jackson was given his first coaching opportunity under Robinson during his time at Charlton and the returning manager says he wants to see his former captain given more control at the club.

Robinson said: “Sometimes you can’t see in any direction where you’re going. I know how much he’ll be hurting. I’ve been sat in that armchair at home, wanting to throw the remote through the telly many times. He cares for his club more than I care for any club I’ve ever worked for, in some ways. I’ve seen that in his eyes.

“It’s something that runs through in this football club, the passion you have to show to play for Charlton Athletic is certainly with him. He certainly has the nous and understanding. He now maybe just needs to be given a bit more the reins to do what he needs to do.

“He will [feel down] but I don’t think he should be the one looking at himself. I think I can go as deep as I want to go but I don’t think it’s fair on what I want to say. I don’t think it overly helps sometimes, some of the things that happened today are sometimes out of the manager’s control. You look at the bench they had. The players they’ve got out. I spoke to Jake Forster-Caskey, Chuks Aneke and Scott Fraser before the game. Conor Washington.

“How can you miss these players and be a potent threat in the final-third? When the storm came I was thinking please don’t be off tomorrow. We knew there was going to be injuries to the opposition. It’s a great time to play Charlton. Let’s not get that wrong either.

“Sometimes as a manager when you have nothing else you’ve got to rely on heart and desire and sometimes a little bit of luck which we got at times and they never. You’ve got to take these results in your stride now. He’s an unbelievable fella.

“These are what make you a good manager. These are what you need. That’s not being condescending towards Johnnie because he’s one of the nicest fellas you’ll meet. The reason it’ll hurt him is because he cares for Charlton Athletic more than most people.

“I wish maybe other people have that same pain and hurt that he’ll have this evening. He’s right up there with one of the most intelligent coaches I’ve worked with. Really bright, he knows what he’s doing. That’s not a friendship thing. I just think a lot of other things might need to change to make this a good club again.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS