Stay positive

I CAN'T LOOK . . . Athletic boss Stephen Robinson during Saturday's woeful display against Swindon Town.

STEPHEN Robinson has demanded his players head to Charlton with their chins up, despite the latest setback on home soil for the goal-shy club.

Tomorrow night's contest at The Valley will see Athletic's manager make changes in order to try to stimulate significant improvement following on from a lifeless 2-0 defeat to visitors Swindon.

Only Derby (three) and Coventry (four) rival Athletic's record of scoring four times in nine league outings so far in the Football League.

And Robinson hinted that there could be a shake-up in his team both at full-back - where Cameron Dummigan still awaits a debut since signing permanently - and up front, where Billy Mckay could return to the starting XI.

"It's always going to be difficult and results dictate how difficult this job will be," said Robinson, whose side are now 22nd in the table with eight points.

"We haven't got the results we've wanted over the last few weeks, so of course it's difficult.

"This is a club with no money. There's no point beating about the bush, we're a club that struggles for survival, but we know what we're into.

"We can't go and wave a magic wand. The only thing that will get us out of this is hard work.

"That's what we'll do as coaching staff and that's what we'll demand of the players.

"It didn't happen against Swindon and I take the blame for that, but I'll speak to the players and there won't be any negativity around the place.

"The players know they let themselves down first and foremost, but I take the blame for the team that's put out.

"We'll take a look at that. We've built a squad now, and after the performance on Saturday, people like Jamie Reckord, Cameron Dummigan and Billy Mckay will give us the opportunity to make changes.

"We've got to look at the Charlton game now and move on very quickly.

"It's no good feeling sorry for yourself and sulking. We'll put a team out who we feel can beat Charlton, and that's what we intend to do.

"We thought we'd been making good progress, but it seems it's been one step forward against Coventry, and then it's two steps back if you don't capitalise on your home games."

Charlton, in 16th, have not won in five outings and were held to a 1-1 draw at Oxford on Saturday.

"It'll be a really difficult game, but the positive is that players can't play that bad again," Robinson added on tomorrow's test.

"The minimum we require is a desire and effort.

"I understood the reactions of the fans, and I'm with them, I was just very frustrated because that just wasn't what we are about.

"We'll have players who'll up their game, and we'll make changes too."