George Jones reports from the Crown Oil Arena
Karl Robinson was left with mixed emotions following Charlton’s 3-3 draw against Rochdale on Saturday afternoon.
In an action-packed encounter, the Addicks fell behind in the fourth minute when Niall Canavan bundled home from close range but levelled before half time through Jordan Botaka’s first goal for the club.
Jorge Teixeira headed the Londoners in front after the break and, after Calvin Andrew and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing had turned the game around for Dale, the Portuguese netted his second on 89 minutes to secure a point.
And afterwards, Robinson praised his side’s grit but admitted that they still have improving to do.
“What we did show today was a certain grit,” said the Manager. “First half, we worked hard but not within a structure. The cohesive nature in which we are trying to build isn’t quite there yet but, second half, we came out and we pressed more like a unit.
“One player went, another followed and we gained success from it. Once we scored the second goal, we should have gone on to get three or four. We didn’t and we found ourselves 3-2 down with three or four minutes to go.
“It was nice to score again but it is only a point. Depending on the way you look at things, we’ve not won in four but we’ve drawn three of them and they could all easily have been wins.
“Through our own fault we are dropping points. There are certain positives that we can take but certain negatives that we have to rectify. We have to regroup and go again.”
The Addicks looked a constant threat on the counter attack, which the Manager was encouraged by.
He said: “We are playing better but we have to get results. There is no point in playing better and not winning, you might as well play rubbish and nick draws.
“If we keep doing the right things, there is hope and there is a development structure that we can go and be successful from. There are certain aspects that we need to improve and we’re all going to work as hard as we can to do that.”
Charlton now sit eight points outside of the play-offs and the Manager believes that his side have the ability to put a good run of results together.
He said: “We’ve obviously clawed a point back but at some stage we have to put our foot on the gas.
“I’ve said to the players that no-one here is bigger than this club. I’m no bigger than my staff - I’m fatter - but everyone has a role to play and is a small cog in a big football club.
“We have to have a way of playing, a style, class and it is about everyone single one of the players maximising their individual talent. We have got the firepower to go on a good run and I’d also like to thank the fans who travelled a long way to support us today.”