REACTION | Robinson reflects on MK Dons defeat

George Jones reports from The Valley

Karl Robinson was left angry and disappointed following his side’s 2-0 defeat against Milton Keynes Dons at The Valley on Tuesday night.

Charlton fell behind to Stuart O’Keefe’s seventh-minute strike and the Dons doubled their advantage through Harvey Barnes shortly before the hour mark.

And afterwards the Manager admitted his side had been completely outplayed, and that they deserved nothing from the game.

“We were outplayed and we didn’t create anywhere near enough chances,” he said. “It’s not good enough.

“I don’t think MK Dons created too many, if I’m being honest, but we didn’t create any and we were beaten fairly. That’s very disappointing and the players have been told that.

“It was silly things like being caught offside from a free-kick; simple things. Harsh words have been said and it is just not good enough.

“MK Dons played around us, there was fluidity in their play, they were brave on the ball and we were the opposite.

“We tried to feed off scraps. I don’t think many players other than maybe Pearcey, Sols, Jay Dasilva and Ricky Holmes came out of it with any credit.”

The Addicks were booed off at the end at the Manager says that the supporters were more than entitled to voice their frustrations. 

He said: “I don’t think you can ever really criticise someone for booing. They pay their money and they voice their opinions.

“They’re entitled to say what they want to say and I can’t call it right, wrong or indifferent. If you had been watching us week-in, week-out, you’d find it difficult not to.

“It’s been a difficult place at home for two seasons, there are frustrations off the pitch, disappointments on it and there is friction everywhere you turn.

“We have to be big and brave to overcome that and get results. We can only look at ourselves.”

Prior to kick-off, the club paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer, a lifelong supporter and long-term East Stand season ticket holder who was killed in the Westminster terror attacks in March.

A minute’s silence was held with both teams being joined in the centre circle by PC Palmer’s former colleagues from the TSG and Parliamentary Protection units and Robinson applauded everyone involved in the tributes.

He said: “That shows the quality of this football club. Our fans are vocal, they voice their opinions but when we are good they tell us we are good.

“I thought the club conducted itself very well and a lot of people deserve a pat on the back. It was a very fitting and classy way of paying tribute to PC Palmer, by speaking to the police and his family first of all.

“Hopefully we have done him and his family proud, in regards to the way the ceremony was conducted. Unfortunately, our performance was nowhere fitting.”