Karl Robinson unfazed by Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet's axing record

And Karl Robinson, the seventh Addicks manager to work for Duchatelet, is unfazed by the chopping and changing that’s gone on before him.

The Liverpudlian is closing in on Guy Luzon’s record as Duchatelet’s longest-serving Charlton boss. He lasted just 10 months at the Valley.

When asked if he is worried by the unpopular Belgian tycoon’s tendency to pull the plug on his managers, Robinson told News Shopper: “No. Roland’s message to me when I spoke to him was ‘just be honest with people, be yourself’.

“I’m never going to be someone that I’m not. It’s not in my DNA. I want to make sure people understand what it takes to be at this club.

Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet

“I’ve been given this great opportunity and it’s an opportunity I don't want to pass. I want to play good football, entertain, make people proud and enjoy the experience.

“There won’t be better times for players than playing for Charlton so why not embrace that? Rather than reminisce about the failings that have gone.”

He added: “I’ve been told ‘you have to make sure the work ethic is right’. Some very good people aren’t coming to games, we have to appreciate their reasons why they’re not coming. But even if they’re sitting at home, watching the results come in, it’s still their club.

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“Whether they’re in the stands singing and supporting or not, we’re still doing it for them. So, once a Charlton fan always a Charlton fan. Their choice not to come is their prerogative. Even the ones who don’t come, I hope they can be proud of what we’re doing.”

Robinson replaced Russell Slade as Addicks boss last November, and experienced a difficult first five months.

Decimated by injuries, which exposed the lack of depth in last season’s squad, Charlton finished 13th in League One.

Despite having an underwhelming campaign with a team which wasn't his, the Charlton hierarchy have backed Robinson in the summer.

His Charlton journey has almost mirrored the early stages of Addicks legend Chris Powell, who had a rough start in charge at the Valley, but after a summer of good recruitment, achieved League One promotion in his first full season.

Robinson said: “The ironic thing with Chris Powell when he came in they finished 12th or 13th. One thing about Powelly, he knew he had to change the culture at that particular time, as well.

Karl Robinson | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

“It’s not something that you just come in and go ‘crash bang wallop’, it’s about having an understanding about what it takes. There will be many managers who have this privilege, I’m just enjoying my opportunity.

“There are a lot of good things that have gone on at this club over the years. It’s about picking the bits that worked and looking at the mistakes we made and making sure they don’t happen again.”

Charlton’s smart summer recruitment coupled with impressive pre-season results have brought a positive feel to the club, with many players saying the same, publicly.

Billy Clarke, Mark Marshall, Tariqe Fosu, Jay Dasilva and Ben Amos have been brought in, with three new faces expected to arrive before the transfer window closes.

Charlton new boy Tariqe Fosu | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

And there is a firm belief that with the new arrivals, two of whom are expected to be League One-proven duo Ben Reeves and David Martin, Charlton will have a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

Robinson said: “There was a lot of money spent in the transfer window last summer. I don’t know what they spent on Nicky Ajose or Josh Magennis but we’ve only spent money on Billy this summer.

“We’ve done it in a different and more economical way and hopefully we’ll get more players in this week.

“We still need to bring three more in, and then we’ll be more than happy. From the board and Richard [Murray], they’ve been so supportive and they’ve left me to do my job. I can’t thank them enough for that opportunity and hopefully we can bring everybody the success that they deserve.

“And the fans are the first people that deserve it. I just want them to be proud.”