CHARLTON’s new stopper Thomas Kaminski has opened up on his struggles following his father’s tragic death near the end of last season.
Kaminski, 32, joined the Addicks from Luton after a difficult time on and off the pitch, as the Hatters’ second consecutive relegation saw them tumble down the football pyramid.
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The double relegation from the Premier League to League One in consecutive seasons was put firmly into context by the sad passing of his dad Jacek, aged 65.
He died of a heart attack while out on a scooter back home in Belgium.
It came just days before the Hatters’ penultimate game last term against Coventry at Kenilworth Road.
After dashing back home to be with his family he still returned to play in the final two matches.
They beat the Sky Blues before losing 5-3 at West Brom, which saw Luton go down on goal difference.
Kaminski told SunSport: “It was a big disappointment to be relegated — but I had different things on my mind this summer because of my dad. He was the main man in my career and life so it was a tough time.
“I didn’t have time to process the relegation.
“When you reflect, yes, it’s disappointing — but it’s also only football.”
Kaminski is proud to have played in the Prem with the Hatters, which his dad was able to witness.
The Belgian played all of the Hatters’ 38 games in the top flight and said: “It was a good experience. It was always my dream to play in the Premier League.
“You come up against these players that can make the difference in any game. It was different to the Championship, it was less physical but quick.
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“It was all in and around the box — more cutbacks rather than crosses. It was quick and intense.
“And you know that you’re going to need to make at least a couple of good saves every game.
“I became a better keeper for the experience.”
That season in the Prem has given Kaminski a desire to get back there.
And he joined Charlton this summer believing the promoted side are on the up under manager Nathan Jones.
He said: “This is most definitely a team going places. We’ve some good players, young ones, and talented boys coming through the academy.
“And the manager is very intense. He’s demanding on every aspect. And that’s how I work the best.”
Kaminski also looked forward to the Addicks’ match on Saturday, reassuring QPR No 1 Joe Walsh that he knows exactly how he feels after letting in SEVEN at Coventry last weekend.
The Belgian conceded just as many in a 7-0 thumping while playing for Blackburn against Fulham at Ewood Park almost four years ago.
But Kaminski insists the south-east Londoners should not treat their visit to Loftus Road as a lunchtime stroll in the park because the R’s and Walsh will be a wounded animal following that 7-1 loss.
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He said: “I’ve been exactly where Joe has been but we beat Sheffield United 3-1 in the next game.
“So I am certain that they’re going to be right up for this one — in front of their own fans in a London derby. So we’ll have to be at our best.
“I always have sympathy for other keepers. I hope Joe has a good game but we take the three points.
“From my own experience of coming off the pitch letting in seven, everything that could go wrong did.
“We had a man sent off but were only 2-0 down at half-time. We said in the dressing room, ‘Let’s not concede any more goals’.
“But Harry Wilson, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Rodrigo Muniz were on fire and we were well beaten. Against Sheffield United we went behind again after about 90 seconds so there was that feeling, ‘Oh no, not again’.
“But you learn from big defeats like that one to turn it into a positive.
“What I took from it was you have to move on quickly and learn from the goals you’ve conceded. It’s never nice to let in seven but it’s part of football.”
