Charlton boss Karl Robinson has defended Ricky Holmes over his move to Sheffield United.

The former Addicks winger, 30, joined the Premier League hopefuls on Monday.

And a section of Charlton fans are unhappy with Holmes, who only signed a new three-year deal at the Valley last summer, for leaving midway through the season.

But Robinson understands his reasons for moving on.

He said: “I knew Ricky’s remit was to get this football club promoted and he still believes that is an achievable goal.

“But Sheffield United are sat in the play-offs, he’s five months away from the Premier League in his head. Now we don't know where we’d be, we could be in the Championship if the club is willing to be successful but that’s still at the toss of a coin.

“Sheffield United have been spending big in January to get into the Premier League.

“The boy came from non-league football working in leisure centres and playing for Barnet at the same time. He's got a young daughter, he played for Chelmsford and then Barnet and moves to Football League clubs fell through.

“He was almost saying ‘gaffer I could be in the Premier League next season’.

“I can offer just as much love, we could’ve matched his wages, I can give him game-time and make him better but I can’t give him Premier League football next year and that’s the only thing.

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“He knows Chris Wilder, he worked under him and has tremendous respect for him.

“You've seen the players they’ve bought this month in Lee Evans and Ryan Leonard, the two best midfielders in League One that were available and Ricky is one of the best wingers in the league. Their objective is very clear.

“He was very disappointed in the fact he felt he had to do it.”

Holmes took to social media to address the reasons behind his move to Bramall Lane.

He said he wouldn't get another chance to play Championship football with the hope of gaining promotion to the top-flight.

The post was met with a mixed reaction from Charlton fans.

But Robinson wants supporters to remember Holmes for what he did on the pitch. He netted 13 times last season and scored and assisted 12 goals in the current campaign.

The Liverpudlian added: “Sometimes with Twitter and social media, so many people use it as a self ego mechanism where they put stuff out there. I think it’s a load of rubbish. I’m not on it because I’ll get slaughtered!

“I judge a player on what I see on a Saturday and the state of his body at 5pm, not by some words on social media saying ‘I gave this’ or ‘I gave that’. I see some people post that when they haven't put a shift in.

“But with Ricky, no one can question his desire for this football club. So please respect what he did in relation to the effort he put in.

“His body was a wreck with two or three minutes to go in games so I know he gave his all for me. And I hope we are successful and maybe our paths will cross next year.”

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