Charlton 1-1 Blackburn: Jose Riga and Paul Lambert reaction
Saturday 23 January 2016 19:34, UK
Charlton manager Jose Riga insists he will not be distracted by off-field protests in his mission to keep the Addicks in the Sky Bet Championship.
Hundreds of fans gathered after the 1-1 draw against Blackburn to chant against the running of the club for the second home game in a row.
The hosts, second from bottom in the table, started the brighter and snatched the lead on 30 minutes through Harry Lennon.
Rovers scored an equaliser before the break through a Jordan Rhodes header on the stroke of half-time.
Neither team could make a breakthrough in the second half and the result means both sides' winless runs in the league continued.
Regarding the protests, Riga, who took over as manager for his second spell just over a week ago, said: "I'm just focused on the sporting mission. That's my job and I tell the same to the players. We need to get results for the club. Surviving is the priority and this is a tough challenge.
"I'm strong enough to be focused on what I want to achieve. We receive support from the fans and that's the most important thing.
"Last time as manager I found out about the fans of Charlton and they want the same as I want - to stay up."
Riga added he felt his side could have won against Blackburn. He said: "Conceding just before half-time was difficult.
"But the way the players, my squad, behaved, they worked hard to get that result. I'm happy, although I would have preferred a win. I saw what I wanted to from my players."
Blackburn manager Paul Lambert thought his side should have taken all three points and said: "We started the game so well. Charlton scored with their first attack of note and then we came back.
"And in the second half we had more of the ball and should have had a penalty when Simeon Jackson went to ground."
Lambert also praised goalscorer Rhodes and denied the club was close to selling their star striker in the transfer window.
He added: "It's the same situation as it was when I first came to the club. I've not heard anything. I only see what's on Sky. I chat with the chief executive and until someone tells me different then it's the same situation.
"I honestly don't know - Swansea, I heard the other day, were interested, but I've not heard of Newcastle's interest until just now."
Discussing the Charlton protests, Lambert said it was a warning to club owners when results turn bad.
He said: "We knew the atmosphere was going to be hostile. Football fans pay good money to watch their team try to get results and things like this happen.
"The atmosphere was waiting to turn pretty bad but that's what happens when supporters don't like what they think is happening at their club."
