Olly Groome reports from Roots Hall
Karl Robinson was satisfied with a point after Andrew Crofts’ late equaliser earned Charlton a 1-1 draw against Southend United on New Year’s Eve.
Having gone behind to Simon Cox’s first-half opener, the Addicks rallied in the second half, forcing man-of-the-match stopper Ted Smith into a number of fine save before Crofts finally crashed the ball home in the 89th minute from the impressive full-league debutant Joe Aribo’s assist.
Speaking to the press following the draw at Roots Hall, Robinson felt the point was well deserved and said he was pleased with the points haul taken from the past two games over the festive period.
Question: Karl, a great game to watch and you deserved something out of that didn’t you?
Karl Robinson: “We probably deserved more. The keeper got man of the match and this team is 12 unbeaten so it’s a good result.
“We also have seven players out, five of which would probably be starting so we’re a long way from where we want to be at the moment. We’re so disjointed – I’ve come into the club at a difficult time with players injured, some long-term, so we’re miles away from where I know I want to get it.
“Joe Aribo has arrived and we finished the game with five academy graduates on the pitch against one of the best teams in the division, so it shows that we’re trying to do things the right way with the intensity and the desire and the application of the performance which I was pleased with.
“They showed me that it mattered to them. They showed they had energy and that they were fearless and that’s what I want to play like. The fans can go home and be excited about the next generation of kids coming through.”
Q: You must be proud of the team with the amount of effort they put in?
KR: “I’m proud of the badge and I’m not just proud of the players, I’m proud of our great fans as well.
“If I had a criticism, I don’t think we play enough football. I don’t think we pass well enough yet and I don’t think we’re instinctively ready to press on the front foot.
“Since I’ve been here, we haven’t asked enough of the goalkeepers, but he was their man of the match today so that tells its story.
“Up until their goal, we were the best team. I thought, in the second half, we were the ones asking the questions and the save the keeper made from Foxy was outstanding.
“It wasn’t the win we thought we deserved, but if we can get a win in our next game, seven points from our three Christmas games is a fantastic return for a team which isn’t at 50 per cent of where I want to get it.”
Q: Will you be looking to invest in the January transfer window a little bit?
““Not just a little bit, a lot. A lot needs to change - we need better ball retention in the midfield area and we need wingers. I also think we need another striker.”