BOSS JOB ISN’T FOR ME – NUGE
CHARLTON caretaker boss Kevin Nugent insists he is not interested in taking the reins at the Valley full-time, despite starting his tenure with a comprehensive victory.
First-half goals from strikers Josh Magennis and Nicky Ajose were enough to move Charlton away from the relegation zone as Port Vale’s woes on the road continued.
And while Nugent admitted his charges were feeling the pressure, he was thrilled his side could put a tough week – that saw boss Russell Slade sacked – firmly behind them.
“I thought we started nervously but it’s been a difficult week,” said Nugent. “The lads were up for it – we grew into it and created some good chances.
“We’ve scored with two great finishes from Nicky and Josh and it was great to see Morgan Fox assist both.
“We’re four points off the play-offs and have won our past four home games. We are turning this place into a difficult place for opponents to come.
“I think there’s a possibility I’ll be in charge for the Bristol Rovers game. If the new manager comes in and I’m in his plans, we’ll have to wait and see.
“I’ve come in to manage a couple of games – I’m not looking for the job.”
The hosts were unlucky not to take the lead on 15 minutes with Jak Alnwick saving from Ademola Lookman, before Jason Pearce headed the resulting corner against the crossbar.
Charlton then broke the deadlock after 30 minutes with Magennis meeting Fox’s leftwing delivery.
Port Vale could have restored parity immediately but Anthony De Freitas saw his close-range effort tipped away by Declan Rudd.
Ajose then gave the hosts a two-goal cushion a minute before half-time as he beat the offside trap and calmly slotted Fox’s through-ball beyond Alnwick.
Andrew Crofts almost put the result beyond doubt five minutes after the break with his 20-yard dipping volley flying inches over the crossbar.
Port Vale pushed on but the closest they came was when defender Nathan Smith shot wide of the target in the final few minutes – to the despair of a despondent Bruno Ribeiro.
“I’m very disappointed because I think on the pitch we could be better,” Ribeiro said.
“We created our own problems and lost some balls in the middle, and they’ve got two good strikers who scored their goals.
“I think we played good football from the back and we tried to play. The last third we need to do better because we had four good chances in the second half. “We’ve not scored but Charlton have taken their chances. We’ll keep working and hopefully next game we’ll be better.”