Nicky Ajose breaks silence on Charlton exile - and is now loving life under Lee Bowyer

The striker was loaned out twice by ex-Addicks manager Karl Robinson - and was sparingly used after returning from Bury in January.

Robinson heavily hinted that Ajose wanted to leave Charlton for Bury last summer, and his commitment was questioned by fans.

But Ajose, who has starred for Charlton since Lee Bowyer was appointed caretaker manager last month, told News Shopper: “You talk about commitment - it’s a two-way street.

“You saw with Ricky Holmes, he had offers to go in the summer, Karl said he’s not going. So if a manager wants to keep a player, he doesn't go.

“In that last January window [2017], I can’t remember what the circumstances were but Karl was more than happy for me to go [on loan to Swindon]. I wasn't going to play. So he gave me an option to go on loan, if he didn't want me to go then I would've still been at Charlton.

“In the summer, I know there were different things said about it, but the truth is, it was me, Lee Novak, Josh Magennis and Tony Watt. Four strikers and everyone knows Karl plays one up front in his system.

“So we had a conversation, there were four of us at the club and Karl was thinking about bringing someone else in, I think it was Stephy [Mavididi] so that would make it five.

“I said to him ‘where do we stand in this order, one to five?’ He didn't give me any assurances that I was going to play any kind of minutes or be in any kind of squads.

Karl Robinson | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

“I had what looked like a good offer at the time from Bury who were having a go. They were more than happy to let me go. I was not asking to leave - I’ve always wanted to play at Charlton. I love playing here, I get on great with the lads.

“There’s a great team spirit here so I don't think you can question that. Ultimately, it comes down to what I do on the field when I get a chance to play, so my only focus is just trying to play as many games as I can and get as many wins and be part of a Charlton team that gets promoted.”

Ajose joined Charlton in an £800,000 deal in 2016 after enjoying a prolific spell with Swindon.

He struggled to adapt to Russell Slade’s playing style before being deployed as a right winger by Robinson.

But now, playing in Bowyer’s 4-4-2 diamond formation, he has helped the Addicks win three successive games, while striking up a fierce partnership with Michal Zyro - another player who wasn't a guaranteed starter under Robinson.

Ajose, 26, added: “Even when I first signed for Charlton, the brand of football under Russell was minging. I think everyone knows that it didn't suit me, it didn't suit anyone to be honest.

“But we’re playing a nice brand of football now and on top of that, more importantly, we’re getting the results. It’s going to be easier for anyone who comes into the team to play well.

“There was this thing that I couldn't play in the previous formation up front for some reason. I’m not quite sure where that came from.

“I remember there was a comment in your newspaper from Karl a couple of weeks ago saying he only had one striker in the building [Magennis] - and that didn't go down too well.

“Michal and myself have shown that we’re more than capable of playing, and we all know that Josh is capable of playing at this level.

Michal Zyro has scored two goals in his last three games | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

“It would be nice to play as many minutes as I can. I want to score goals but more importantly I want to play at a higher level. I’d rather not score all season if we get into the top six. I’ve got no problem with that at all.”

Ajose started just five league games during Robinson’s 16-month reign - and he’s nearly equalled that tally under Bowyer.

The former Manchester United trainee has been a standout player in Charlton’s revival which has seen Bowyer win his first three games in charge to move the club into the top six.

Ajose, who is likely to line up against Bristol Rovers tomorrow, said: “I’m really enjoying playing more minutes. Lee and Johnnie [Jackson] almost brought me out the freezer so to speak.

“So to be part of a Charlton team that’s doing well that’s what I’m happy about.

“Karl is an experienced manager who’s done well tactically and does a lot of good work on the field. Lee’s come in and the messages are simple and he speaks to players individually.

“If you play well for him then there’s that element of trust and he’ll keep you in the team, whereas in the previous regime, the team was picked two or three games in advance at some points and I’m not sure if you can do that at this level.”

Ajose’s work-rate was criticised by a section of supporters last season, but his turnaround in form has got fans back on side.

He said: “There’s this myth that I’ve only just started working hard which is strange. We have this GPS system for stats that we’ve used since I’ve been at the club. My stats have always been high. They were high under Russell and they were really high under Karl.

“Fans have this perception that players work hard when they dive in front of the crowd, get their shorts dirty and start making all these hand gestures and apparently they're working hard.

“But with the raw hard data, the manager and the staff know, mine has always been as high as anyone’s if not higher.

“I don't care what any player says, they all want the love and respect of the fans. The fans have been brilliant since I’ve been back, they've been cheering and the reception has been great. I really appreciate it and I know the lads do. Hopefully that can continue.”

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