Fleetwood away was the best I'd seen Charlton play in years. Unfortunately performances and results like that have been few and far between in recent months - Doncaster away springs to mind. If he wasn't so proud or stubborn Karl Robinson could have done better with Charlton.
It was a stupid decision to refuse to try anything other than 4-3-2-1 and publicly say you haven't got any forwards when you've got forwards sitting on the bench. He needs to learn to adapt in games. He just cannot do that at the moment. He sends teams out with a way to play and if it doesn't work he has no plan B. If he doesn't address that he'll never manage above League One again.
I'm feeling quite optimistic about Bowyer. Mate of mine recently did the half time crossbar challenge, and as part of that got to spend a day at the training ground. Said he was really impressed with Bowyer, not just how he coached, but his fitness and involvement in all the training.
He came across well at the Bromley Addicks, and I can imagine him being more popular with the players than Robinson - just speculation of course. I'm hoping the players will respond well on Saturday. A win while not quite re-igniting our season might at least give us a shred of hope.
And then if the club is sold in the next week or so!
I want a manager who is respected rather than liked by the players.
I'm feeling quite optimistic about Bowyer. Mate of mine recently did the half time crossbar challenge, and as part of that got to spend a day at the training ground. Said he was really impressed with Bowyer, not just how he coached, but his fitness and involvement in all the training.
He came across well at the Bromley Addicks, and I can imagine him being more popular with the players than Robinson - just speculation of course. I'm hoping the players will respond well on Saturday. A win while not quite re-igniting our season might at least give us a shred of hope.
And then if the club is sold in the next week or so!
I want a manager who is respected rather than liked by the players.
It has been a whirlwind few days but I’d like to thank the Charlton fans for their support during my time at the club.
I’ve said it to the press many times in recent weeks and I honestly believe this is a special, special club and whoever does buy it will be very lucky. The staff have been impeccable throughout my time and the supporters are so passionate. They brought the club home in 1992 and I hope that the club continues to get back to where it should be for them.
I am sad to go but the time is right for everyone involved. I will look back on my time at Charlton with a real fondness, we rebuilt the side and have played some lovely football at times this season. While results haven’t been ideal recently, there is a talented, enthusiastic and hungry squad at The Valley and I’m sure under the guidance of two Charlton men in Bow and Jacko, the club can go from strength to strength and flourish under new owners.
Sparrows Lane is a great place to work, especially having the first team and youth teams under one roof. It has been such a positive learning experience, working with Steve Avory and his fantastic team to bring through so many young talented players. To be able to hand out first team debuts to eight academy graduates is something that has given me immense pleasure and I look forward to watching them continue to develop over the coming years.
I will also miss the great community element of the club, whether it is Jason Morgan and the inspirational work the Community Trust do or bumping into Riteesh Mishra from the women’s team. There is a family feel to Sparrows Lane that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. That Charlton spirit is maybe best embodied by the Charlton Upbeats and I wish nothing but success for the club going forward.
The best thing he's ever said. Wasn't a fan but good luck to him.
I actually have a couple of good memories of KR, such as that win against Bristol Rovers back in august. He arrived with such a ridiculous air - that press conference praising RD and Meire should have made his agent weep. If he has lessons to learn, they are to loosen up with his tactics, and don't meddle in club politics. He was tarred as a Roland defender entirely because he chose to be. In answer to @JamesSeed , a lot of the over the top abuse he has got on here was down to his foolish decisión to get involved in the war between regime and fans, where tempers were running high. he could have got away with that but the combination of the injuries, his narrow tactical views and the fact we all knew he'd be stitched up in the transfer market by the people he was defending while it seemed to be a bolt from a clear blue sky for him, all paved the way to his failure. I have nothing against him, but he was burnt out months back and it's time for a new broom. I personally see this season as beyond saving - there are still games available, but unless Bowyer works a miracle, I don't see us as being nearly ready to recover. we need a takeover now to build for next season. Good luck in the future Robbo !
Trying to tie this to the take-over, could it be possible that KR was told by the "new owner" that he wasn't part of their plans and as part of the deal, RD and KR agreed to do a mutual consent departure?
Feel for Robbo. A decent manager, who tried his best under difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, the club is rotten from the top down. Don't blame him for walking away
In what universe is Robbo a decent manager? Manager of what?
Harsh. I felt the side played decent football at times. It depends on your expectations. We'll never get out of this league all the time Roland is at the helm. Under the restraints from the top, I think he did a decent job
Karl Robinson didn't dovetail with CAFC NEXT. Assuming it is Lee Bad boy Bowyer, then if he's got an ounce of sense about him he will play 2 strikers (kyro + Ajose) and play a quicker tempo with less pass backs. The crowd was too cold and too small to be toxic last Saturday and Karl had wanted to leave for a while and the players must of picked up on this. Crazy Athletic football club. We are a soap opera which need some happier story lines. Bowyer, who makes the Mitchell brothers seem like a pair of choir boys, needs to motivate the players and fans who are still going while this stalemate is on going. YOUR NOT MY MOTHER.
If Mr Robinson was unaware of the scale of disarray the club was in before joining his due diligence skills are matched only by the man for whom he agreed to work.
The chaos of our relegation will have had any sane footballing professional in the industry exploring every other option on the planet. We were toxic. Let us not forget the shock of how Powell, a former figurehead of the players union and held in high esteem by his fellow professionals had already registered.
It was only the recruitment of Slade that re-established any industry credibility. . Robinson, as the consensus here suggests, had unfortunately placed himself in an untenable position.
In the corporate sense he was completely out of his depth.
To his credit he stepped into being a spokesman for the club on matters way beyond his brief. He rose to the challenge with all the gusto of the garrulous individual that he is.
Unfortunately any number of his recent revelations, some no doubt made with honest intent, were very easily defined as in breach of the terms of confidentiality enshrined within his contract.
The divulging of the offer to resign to the media is in itself a breach. Deliberate or not is purely a matter of conjecture. Who else could have possibly released such information? There is no one else left.
Such ill discipline has been the "hallmark" of his stewardship and quite literally handed "all the cards" to Duchatelet. The latter has walked this walk probably more times than any owner on the planet during his stewardship of STVV, Standard Liege and ourselves.
For him it will not even be personal merely a matter of corporate standards and opportunity.
Once in breach of your contract the employer has virtually been given a Carte Blanche menu of options.
Personally I feel it will be hard for Bowyer and Jackson to revitalise and channel the energies of the squad.
For me I would have asked Avory to step in as the figurehead with Bowyer and Jackson continuing to support.
The club house needs a new leader for now completely removed from the turmoil of the recent weeks. Euell is a worthy individual in his own right but it would be grossly unfair to ask him as part of the senior clubhouse to step out from the ranks at this juncture.
Avory, as someone one step removed, has the leadership skills, knowledge of many of the younger players and the comfort of being able to return to his usual duties in due course.
Mr Robinson had in large part become no more than a passenger and will now depart for the destination of his choice.
Managerial departure number 8 plus 3 temporary custodians since Jan 2014.
That Duchatelet can now put out nigh on an entire team of ex managers and senior coaches within such a period says all we need know. The man in footballing terms has been pure poison.
It's ok though guys - it's his money!!! Yea right
If I recall correctly the Chinese have a proverb "The path less trod is their path to nowhere".
I have long challenged its value but I am beginning to think they have a point.
I'm feeling quite optimistic about Bowyer. Mate of mine recently did the half time crossbar challenge, and as part of that got to spend a day at the training ground. Said he was really impressed with Bowyer, not just how he coached, but his fitness and involvement in all the training.
He came across well at the Bromley Addicks, and I can imagine him being more popular with the players than Robinson - just speculation of course. I'm hoping the players will respond well on Saturday. A win while not quite re-igniting our season might at least give us a shred of hope.
And then if the club is sold in the next week or so!
I want a manager who is respected rather than liked by the players.
Trying to tie this to the take-over, could it be possible that KR was told by the "new owner" that he wasn't part of their plans and as part of the deal, RD and KR agreed to do a mutual consent departure?
Maybe an announcement re. take-over on Friday?
Not sure he would need to be told, Rob - it is almost an inevitability that an incumbent manager would not be part of the plans for new owners of a football club. Besides, if KR knew who the new owners were it is highly likely it would have got out very quickly.
met him at the supporters event in London and said plenty of times, came across as a lovely bloke unfortunately not a very good manager, the sympathy he doesn't get as he know what he was getting himself into, the players imo have to take some of the blame as there's a few cant be bothered to name them that really are nicking a living, maybe its a modern thing when you have players on 10 times the salary as of the man that's telling them what to do ( not saying this in robbos case but at other clubs it could well be )
I met him a few times and he was always straight talking but likeable. HE was and is passionate about the club and I really wish it could have worked out better. I definitely don't think he is as clueless as some seem to imply - just had his hands tied and therefore couldn't try much else.
This takeover has to happen in the next week - 10 days otherwise this season is 100% gone
Be interesting to see the crowd at the weekend......maybe time to give JackoBow a rousing reception
I have read the last couple of pages but not further back (these threads are massive). I assume he was sick of the general mess at the club and has another job lined up (oxford)? Is this an actual mutual, or a mutual sacking?
So, in just four years under Roland, we are now looking for our ninth permanent manager. Shame that our former CEO isn't still here to rejoice in the success that those managerial changes have brought to us on and off the pitch.
Good riddance. I thought we were such a massive club as Karl Robinson kept hyping us up to be, now he’s left to join Liverpool, oops someone bigger than that, Manchester United, nope o wait, he has left us to join the massive and mighty.... Oxford United. Good riddance you fat scouse ****.
We have witnessed four years of instability, discord and failure under the tenure of Mr D. I voiced my concern in 2014 and have remained of the view that CAFC will not flourish under his ownership. I posted the following, on the Takeover thread, last weekend. It would have been better placed on here. So, for those who didn't see it...
I met Karl, on behalf of CAS Trust, last year, and spent a long time with him. From the outset he came across as a decent chap. I'd gone to meet with him as he had asked for background information about the protests against Duchatelet. I was a little anxious, because I thought that the club's PR man might be in attendance - he was - and that, in advising of the problems, the club could more easily attend to fixing them. Now, that might be a good thing, but my point is that I did not want to be of help to the Duchatelet project.
I offered Karl a summary history of CAFC, going back to 1982, when Lennie Lawrence took over from Ken Craggs. The High Court, the close season re-build of 1985, the promotion of 1986, the start of the campaign to bring Charlton home, the Play-Offs, the togetherness of the team, the fans keeping the club alive at Selhurst, The Valley Party, the Red, White and Black campaign, the Fans' Director initiative, etc.
I told Karl that I was a boycotter and that I saw little good coming from this regime. He wanted me to return. I wished him well, but said that I would not return until a new ownership was realised. I also opined that he might find things difficult at Charlton. A little while after our meeting, in a pub in Greenwich, I wrote to him to thank him for his time.
In recent weeks, Karl has spoken out. I admire him for that. As to the playing tactics: much has been written about this. I have my view on it (albeit from a position of not having witnessed the team, but I have the measure of it from this forum).
I found Karl, his assistant at the time, Richie Barker, who also attended, and the club's PR man, Tom Rubashow, to be decent chaps. I hope I don't appear a sycophant in writing this but, whatever happens to Karl, I shall remember him as a bright, chatty, and pleasant man.
Pleased he’s gone. Not sure what he is right for but it sure ain’t us! I’ll watch with interest to see how he fares at others clubs should he get the gig. I’m not expecting much though and would fully anticipate hearing the same sound bites.
Karl Robinson didn't dovetail with CAFC NEXT. Assuming it is Lee Bad boy Bowyer, then if he's got an ounce of sense about him he will play 2 strikers (kyro + Ajose) and play a quicker tempo with less pass backs. The crowd was too cold and too small to be toxic last Saturday and Karl had wanted to leave for a while and the players must of picked up on this. Crazy Athletic football club. We are a soap opera which need some happier story lines. Bowyer, who makes the Mitchell brothers seem like a pair of choir boys, needs to motivate the players and fans who are still going while this stalemate is on going. YOUR NOT MY MOTHER.
What ?
"Your not my Mother" possibly 5 years ago on East Enders I couldn't find the remote quick enough and these words were shouted out.
I quite like Robinson, I didn't initially, but I warmed to him, however I do believe his passion far outweighs his talent as a manager. Many on here calling him out for taking the job, saying he knew what he was getting himself into...blah...blah.....but lets face it which lower league manager wouldn't take a job working for CAFC, under Roland or not, I know I would if offered, and that is knowing what a shit cart our club is right now, in fairness it would be fucking hilarious if I was manager...but hey ho.
I wish Karl all the best and hope he is a success elsewhere.
I'm feeling quite optimistic about Bowyer. Mate of mine recently did the half time crossbar challenge, and as part of that got to spend a day at the training ground. Said he was really impressed with Bowyer, not just how he coached, but his fitness and involvement in all the training.
He came across well at the Bromley Addicks, and I can imagine him being more popular with the players than Robinson - just speculation of course. I'm hoping the players will respond well on Saturday. A win while not quite re-igniting our season might at least give us a shred of hope.
And then if the club is sold in the next week or so!
I want a manager who is respected rather than liked by the players.
Good luck Robbo. For about 25% of the time you thrilled us and for a while we thought we were blessed. But then the rot set in and we became very bored with the sideways passing and angry with the last minute defeats. Finally the roof caved in and the curse of Roland has left us all feeling numb and void. Anyway, you are well out of it and maybe next time you will find the appropriate players to man your beloved 4231 system.
Well it was a spell that had it's ups and downs, some good games, some bad , mostly average. In the end we'll forget about him and once the take over happens get behind the new men in the new team, onwards and upwards, hopefully.
Bye Karl, never my kind of Charlton manager but I honestly have no ill will towards him now he is hopefully no longer associated with the club I love.
Pardew & Fraeye remain the only two Charlton managers I have ever hated.
Does Dowie fall into that catogory?
Honestly no, Dowie is an idiot who wasted money that could have helped us stay in the Premier League but I don't hate him, it takes a lot more then being poor at your job for me to hate a manager.
Comments
It was a stupid decision to refuse to try anything other than 4-3-2-1 and publicly say you haven't got any forwards when you've got forwards sitting on the bench. He needs to learn to adapt in games. He just cannot do that at the moment. He sends teams out with a way to play and if it doesn't work he has no plan B. If he doesn't address that he'll never manage above League One again.
I want a manager who is respected rather than liked by the players.
I’ve said it to the press many times in recent weeks and I honestly believe this is a special, special club and whoever does buy it will be very lucky. The staff have been impeccable throughout my time and the supporters are so passionate. They brought the club home in 1992 and I hope that the club continues to get back to where it should be for them.
I am sad to go but the time is right for everyone involved. I will look back on my time at Charlton with a real fondness, we rebuilt the side and have played some lovely football at times this season. While results haven’t been ideal recently, there is a talented, enthusiastic and hungry squad at The Valley and I’m sure under the guidance of two Charlton men in Bow and Jacko, the club can go from strength to strength and flourish under new owners.
Sparrows Lane is a great place to work, especially having the first team and youth teams under one roof. It has been such a positive learning experience, working with Steve Avory and his fantastic team to bring through so many young talented players. To be able to hand out first team debuts to eight academy graduates is something that has given me immense pleasure and I look forward to watching them continue to develop over the coming years.
I will also miss the great community element of the club, whether it is Jason Morgan and the inspirational work the Community Trust do or bumping into Riteesh Mishra from the women’s team. There is a family feel to Sparrows Lane that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. That Charlton spirit is maybe best embodied by the Charlton Upbeats and I wish nothing but success for the club going forward.
The best thing he's ever said. Wasn't a fan but good luck to him.
I have nothing against him, but he was burnt out months back and it's time for a new broom. I personally see this season as beyond saving - there are still games available, but unless Bowyer works a miracle, I don't see us as being nearly ready to recover. we need a takeover now to build for next season.
Good luck in the future Robbo !
Maybe an announcement re. take-over on Friday?
The chaos of our relegation will have had any sane footballing professional in the industry exploring every other option on the planet. We were toxic. Let us not forget the shock of how Powell, a former figurehead of the players union and held in high esteem by his fellow professionals had already registered.
It was only the recruitment of Slade that re-established any industry credibility.
.
Robinson, as the consensus here suggests, had unfortunately placed himself in an untenable position.
In the corporate sense he was completely out of his depth.
To his credit he stepped into being a spokesman for the club on matters way beyond his brief. He rose to the challenge with all the gusto of the garrulous individual that he is.
Unfortunately any number of his recent revelations, some no doubt made with honest intent, were very easily defined as in breach of the terms of confidentiality enshrined within his contract.
The divulging of the offer to resign to the media is in itself a breach. Deliberate or not is purely a matter of conjecture. Who else could have possibly released such information? There is no one else left.
Such ill discipline has been the "hallmark" of his stewardship and quite literally handed "all the cards" to Duchatelet. The latter has walked this walk probably more times than any owner on the planet during his stewardship of STVV, Standard Liege and ourselves.
For him it will not even be personal merely a matter of corporate standards and opportunity.
Once in breach of your contract the employer has virtually been given a Carte Blanche menu of options.
Personally I feel it will be hard for Bowyer and Jackson to revitalise and channel the energies of the squad.
For me I would have asked Avory to step in as the figurehead with Bowyer and Jackson continuing to support.
The club house needs a new leader for now completely removed from the turmoil of the recent weeks. Euell is a worthy individual in his own right but it would be grossly unfair to ask him as part of the senior clubhouse to step out from the ranks at this juncture.
Avory, as someone one step removed, has the leadership skills, knowledge of many of the younger players and the comfort of being able to return to his usual duties in due course.
Mr Robinson had in large part become no more than a passenger and will now depart for the destination of his choice.
Managerial departure number 8 plus 3 temporary custodians since Jan 2014.
That Duchatelet can now put out nigh on an entire team of ex managers and senior coaches within such a period says all we need know. The man in footballing terms has been pure poison.
It's ok though guys - it's his money!!! Yea right
If I recall correctly the Chinese have a proverb "The path less trod is their path to nowhere".
I have long challenged its value but I am beginning to think they have a point.
This takeover has to happen in the next week - 10 days otherwise this season is 100% gone
Be interesting to see the crowd at the weekend......maybe time to give JackoBow a rousing reception
I posted the following, on the Takeover thread, last weekend. It would have been better placed on here. So, for those who didn't see it...
I met Karl, on behalf of CAS Trust, last year, and spent a long time with him. From the outset he came across as a decent chap. I'd gone to meet with him as he had asked for background information about the protests against Duchatelet. I was a little anxious, because I thought that the club's PR man might be in attendance
- he was - and that, in advising of the problems, the club could more easily attend to fixing them. Now, that might be a good thing, but my point is that I did not want to be of help to the Duchatelet project.
I offered Karl a summary history of CAFC, going back to 1982, when Lennie Lawrence took over from Ken Craggs. The High Court, the close season re-build of 1985, the promotion of 1986, the start of the campaign to bring Charlton home, the Play-Offs, the togetherness of the team, the fans keeping the club alive at Selhurst, The Valley Party, the Red, White and Black campaign, the Fans' Director initiative, etc.
I told Karl that I was a boycotter and that I saw little good coming from this regime. He wanted me to return.
I wished him well, but said that I would not return until a new ownership was realised. I also opined that he might find things difficult at Charlton. A little while after our meeting, in a pub in Greenwich, I wrote to him to thank him for his time.
In recent weeks, Karl has spoken out. I admire him for that. As to the playing tactics: much has been written about this. I have my view on it (albeit from a position of not having witnessed the team, but I have the measure of it from this forum).
I found Karl, his assistant at the time, Richie Barker, who also attended, and the club's PR man, Tom Rubashow, to be decent chaps. I hope I don't appear a sycophant in writing this but, whatever happens to Karl, I shall remember him as a bright, chatty, and pleasant man.
I’ll watch with interest to see how he fares at others clubs should he get the gig. I’m not expecting much though and would fully anticipate hearing the same sound bites.
I wish Karl all the best and hope he is a success elsewhere.