Jacko praises Jones

Johnnie Jackson admits that it was a bit strange facing up against Charlton in Saturday's friendly but thinks they have a really good manager in Nathan Jones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/a-bit-strange-johnnie-jackson-makes-charlton-admission-after-afc-wimbledon-win-pre-season-clash/

With Charlton looking to offload players, there has been interest in Lucas Ness but Richard Cawley reports that he had had ankle surgery in the summer - minor issue that he'd been playing on with - and isn't fit yet.

Curbs thinks Jacko should have had more time

Alan Curbishley thinks that Johnnie Jackson should have been given more time as manager given the state of the club when he came in.   He discusses his appointment at Wimbledon and looks at prospects for a new Charlton manager, suggesting there could be a surprise: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/he-deserved-more-time-alan-curbishley-on-johnnie-jacksons-charlton-dismissal-and-the-search-for-his-successor/

Jacko to become Wombles manager

Johnnie Jackson is expected to become manager of AFC Wimbledon, a development that seems to have been welcomed by Wombles fans: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/afc-wimbledon-poised-to-appoint-former-charlton-manager-johnnie-jackson-as-their-new-boss/

Play off final was career highlight for Pearce

Jason Pearce says that the play off final at Wembley against Sunderland was the highlight of his Charlton career as he reflects on what went wrong afterwards and the sacking of Johnnie Jackson: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/jason-pearce-reflects-on-his-charlton-athletic-career-and-reacts-to-the-sacking-of-valley-favourite-johnnie-jackson/

Fans divided on Jacko sacking

Our survey on whether Jacko should have been sacked has attracted 162 responses and fans have split 54% - 46% that he should have been.

This is, of course, not a representative sample of fans, but it is not out of line with the balance of comments on social media.

The rights and wrongs of his removal and the way in which it was done is now water through the Thames barrier, although I would like to thank him for his years of committed service to the club.

We now need to look to the future which is why I am running a poll on who fans would like to see as the next manager.   I listed some of the most frequently mentioned names, but it could well be an appointment out of left field.

Both surveys will remain open for a few more days.

Sandgaard defends sacking

Thomas Sandgaard admits that many fans were upset by the sacking of Johnnie Jackson, but defends his decision: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-i-understand-why-some-charlton-fans-will-be-unhappy-at-johnnie-jacksons-dismissal/

Sandgaard said: 'There are the fans who understand that maybe we could do better in terms of how we show up at games, the formation we play, our flexibility if a game develops differently to what we expected – how quickly can we transform and adjust to those things? Substitutions etc, there are many things that some fans have picked up on that maybe we could do differently.'

Fans are deeply divided on the issue.   Our Survey Monkey poll which has attracted over 100 responses is showing a 50-50 split.

You can still vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBYMBZ6

I hope to run a poll on possible candidates for manager over the weekend.

Should Jacko have been sacked?

Without doing a poll it is difficult to judge the balance of views among Charlton supporters on the removal of Johnnie Jackson as manager.  Vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBYMBZ6

Let's consider the case for and against.   One fan tweeted: 'Maybe not a popular opinion but Jacko was out of his depth. Will always be a club legend but as a manager the style of play was boring, performances were average at best, tactics were weak.'

Whilst I think the complaints about the 3-5-2 formation were overdone, his obstinacy in refusing to change it or having a Plan B was a concern.   It meant that the opposition knew what they had to do: get in behind a weak defence.

On the other hand, Jacko inherited a poor results platform from Adkins.   Things did get better and the poor run was as much to do with the absence of a forward line as anything.

I was a bit more sceptical about his appointment than some people because I think the preference for a 'Charlton man' means that sentiment often gets in the way of clear thinking and good decision-making.

On balance, I would have let him build a team over the summer and prepare them pre-season, but I also understand why Sandgaard took the decision he did.

However, a great delay in selecting a replacement would be damaging.   New players will be reluctant to sign until they know who the manager is going to be.   Remember that because of the World Cup the League One season starts on the weekend of 30th July, so there won't be much of a pre-season.

I do think the vitriol directed at Thomas Sandgaard is unfair.  The club was on the verge of disappearing when he took over and I don't accept that there was queue of prospective buyers.   If I put £12m into  a business, I would expect some say in what happened.

The concern is, of course, that he does not understand League One football and a number of his immediate aides don't either or don't display much judgment.   But like it or not, he is the owner.  Some fans may not renew their season tickets, but that was likely anyway.

CAS Trust chair Heather McKinlay reflects on the decision here: https://www.castrust.org/2022/05/goodbye-jacko-and-thanks-for-everything/

Farewell then, Johnnie Jackson

Thomas Sandgaard explains his decision not to extend Johnnie Jackson's contract: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-part-company-with-manager-johnnie-jackson/

Richard Cawley of the SLP comments: 'Fairly clear indications that the style of football that Thomas Sandgaard wants, he didn't feel was aligned to the way that Johnnie Jackson felt was best way to win promotion.'

Terry Skiverton has also left as coach, but this has not led to any rending of shirts.

Sandgaard says he is looking to next season.   Whoever is chosen should have no previous connection with the club and can take a long, cool look at things.

However, supremo Sandgaard has said that it will be an exhaustive search, but in the mean time will not affect recruitment: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-claims-johnnie-jacksons-departure-will-not-affect-charltons-recruitment-plans/

The decision was a bolt from the blue and the initial reaction I have seen from supporters is predominantly negative.

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has commented: 'The detail about Jacko’s contract got very confused but my understanding is final league position this season determined the level of severance pay he’d get. So finishing 13th made sacking him a cheaper option. It wasn’t about an extension this summer.'

Steve Brown commented on BBC London Sport: 'I don't think Johnnie has done badly enough to warrant being sacked. We're so quick in this country to pull the trigger on young managers we put in charge of a football team.'

'The best Charlton could have hoped for when JJ took over was 6th and it would have taken a championship winning run to get 6th. I don't look at JJ as the reason they've finished 13th. I look at the squad, recruitment, lack of leadership within the players.'

Jacko: 'I'll do it my way'

After yesterday's thumping at Ipswich, Johnnie Jackson reflects on his first period as season and admits that it has been a learning curve: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-johnnie-jackson-reflects-on-end-of-first-season-in-charge-and-vows-to-continue-doing-things-his-own-way/

Jacko hopes to get the core of his group of players together before the pre-season window, but this will not be easy for a floundering League One club.  We may find one or two fringe Championship players, but we may need to look downwards for hidden talent as well as using our best development players.

Jacko discussed the rolling over by the Tractors, attended by 1,972 Addicks: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-ipswich-thumping-is-timely-reminder-of-where-charlton-are/

I must admit I didn't even listen to the game yesterday.   For the first time since before the pandemic all my grandchildren were in one place at a family barbecue.  

 

Some things are more important than football - the only sports fan there apart from me watches rugby

Jacko praise Macca, Pearce, Morgan and Dobson

Smiling supremo Johnnie Jackson has praised Craig MacGillivray, Jason Pearce and Albie Morgan after their performances at Rotherham: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/hes-reacted-well-to-the-criticism-johnnie-jackson-praises-goalkeeper-craig-macgillivray-for-adding-new-element-to-his-game/

Jacko said that Macca has responded well to criticism and improved the aerial aspect of his play.   He was commanding his penalty box.   Albie Morgan had given him the mature performance he was looking for.  Jacko admitted that Morgan had made a couple of mistakes, but said that he stuck to the script well. Jason Pearce was 'Mr Dependable'.   [I hope he will have a coaching role next season and keep his player registration for emergencies or pizza games.  He was the man of the match in the Football League Paper].

Jacko was also full of praise for George Dobson: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-delighted-with-display-at-rotherham-and-says-george-dobson-deserved-long-awaited-goal/

Dobson is clearly going to win player of the year, and deservedly so, but who should come second?  Most promising newcomer would be Corey Blackett-Taylor.   Conor Washington opens up defences when he is playing.

Louis Mendez gives his four takeaways from the match here: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/four-takeaways-from-charltons-victory-at-high-flying-rotherham-a-textbook-away-performance/

Jackson talks about Charlton managers

A long interview with Johnnie Jackson in which he talks about working under Karl Robinson and Lee Bowyer.   I am no fan of Gobby, but Jacko is full of praise for him and no doubt saw a side of him that we didn't (I notice he was complaining about referees once again at the weekend): https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/johnnie-jackson-interview-charlton/

He talks about a whole series of managers and in particular he praises José Riga saying he was 'really impressive' and wishes he could have stayed on.  I always thought he was one of the best of the Roland era.

He notes that he could have gone with Bowyer to Birmingham, but has less to say about recent challenges. However, he does say that Sandgaard was 'serious and different to what we had before.'   The fear of players not getting paid went away.

Of course, he is hardly likely to criticise the owner.   I still think we have reason to be grateful to him, but his initial irrational exuberance was unfortunate to say the least and created expectations that could not realistically be met.

Jacko: I select teams to suit Charlton not Spurs

Johnnie Jackson has hit back at clickbait stories that Tottenham Hotspur are 'furious' that Nile John has not been given more game time.   Clearly Spurs would like to see him get more action, but as Jackson points out he selects a team to suit Charlton not the Haringey club: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/no-issue-charlton-boss-responds-to-claim-that-tottenham-furious-over-nile-john-treatment/

Charlton continue to emphasise winning

Even the most pessimistic Charlton supporters have abandoned their 'we'll be playing in League Two next season' narrative.  The remaining matches are something of a balance between trying out new ideas and ensuring that we finish as high up the table as possible: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/outside-factors-wont-impact-on-charlton-athletic-team-selection/

Richard Cawley notes that Charlton had the seventh highest spend on intermediary (largely agents) fees in League 1 between Feb 21 and Jan 22 - £198k. Most was the Massives at £796k, closely followed by Ipswich £779k.

Cawley will have something to say in the SLP tomorrow about reports on a clickbait site that Tottenham Hotspur are 'furious' about Charlton's failure to use Nile John.  It's hardly worth responding to.

Jacko: 'I've seen it all at Charlton'

Johnnie Jackson was interviewed on Talk Sport today.   Here are a few key quotes, some of them courtesy of VOTV columnist Natasha Everitt.

Jacko said: “I've seen it all [at Charlton], I’ve been through some real ups and downs. There was a period there under Chris Powell where we had success and I was really hoping that that would be the catalyst for the club to kick on, and that never happened..."

“Then we got momentum again under Lee Bowyer and myself when we managed to get promoted again to the Championship, but history repeated itself really and we didn’t get the help we needed that season to make a real go of it. We found ourselves falling backwards again.  It’s been disillusioning..."

“But this time round with the owner we’ve got now, Thomas Sandgaard, there’s some real positivity around the place and he’s got some real ambitions for the football club... hopefully those couple of decades are behind us.  The club is in a much better place, much better hands.”

The Orange One recalled the hostile reception he got at The Valley, but spoke positively about JJ: ‘He sounds like a very grown up manager.  I want him to do well.’  Jim White, Roland's mate, reminded listeners that we were going to miss out on the play offs again.

Jacko said we’ve got to try and finish the season strong, win every game.   We need a feel good factor around the place, ending the season with some optimism, some positivity.    It was his 12^th season at the club in different roles. ‘I’ve got a real feeling for what the club’s about.   Although I am a young manager I bring a lot of club experience to the table.’

Jacko admitted that it had been more challenging than he had expected.  ‘We were at our most depleted when we faced the toughest run of fixtures.  We’ve come through it now.  It makes you stronger in the long run.’

‘It’s a really important summer for us, recruitment is going to be key.  I have a clear idea of the type of squad I want to build, keeping the right ones from this year that we’ve got a nucleus of.  We’ll need the owner’s help with that.’

More here: https://talksport.com/football/efl/1074825/charlton-athletic-news-johnnie-jackson-thomas-sandgaard-efl/

Players must expect fans to be frosty

Johnnie Jackson said that players must expect the kind of frosty reception they got from Charlton fans after yesterday's performance at Accrington: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-charlton-players-should-come-to-expect-that-reaction-from-fans-after-failing-to-meet-expectations/

The keyboard warriors have, of course, been out in force displaying pictures of their coaching badges.  Of course, recent performances have been unacceptable, but changing the manager again is not going to sort things out at this stage.  The task now is survival and a clear out in the summer.   JJ's performance will be reviewed as part of that.

It's been a great weekend for fans who like to wallow in gloom and predict relegation.  I stand with Steve Brown who said there is enough quality in the squad to get the needed few additional points (remember there are other teams that are rubbish).   I don't think we'll beat in form Gillingham, but I am hopeful of a point.

If we did get relegated, one bonus might be that we would shed some of the moaners who don't realise how bad things have been in the past and go down to a core of loyal fans.

Keeper gets public rebuke

Shell shocked supremo Johnnie Jackson has admitted that Craig MacGillivray is not commanding his six yard box: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-johnnie-jackson-provides-straight-answer-when-asked-about-goalkeeper-craig-macgillivray/

This was evident yesterday when Accrington keeper Savin was willing to come out of his box to snuff out threats.   Admittedly, there should be better communication and more pace from the Charlton defence as Curbs pointed out.

I didn't want Amos to go, but presumably he had a better offer from Wigan.  Many fans are pinning their hopes for next season on the return of Ashley Maynard-Brewer who impressed at Ross County in the Scottish Premier League before his injury.  The SPL isn't the greatest league in the world, but it is surely as good as League One.

Jacko is clearly baffled by the form of the rest of his players, suggesting it is a confidence problem rather than a lack of effort.  Certainly they seem to train well but then fail to deliver on matchday.

Fans continue to insist that the formation is the problem, but does he have the players for 4-4-2?  I know it's all supposed to be about the manager in modern football, but I think more of the fault rests with the squad, although I was surprised that Gilbey was omitted yesterday,.

Who should stay and who should go?

Johnnie Jackson reveals, not surprisingly, that the conversations have begun with out of contract players at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/internal-discussions-taking-place-on-charlton-athletics-players-due-to-free-agents-this-summer/

In general this is an opportunity to say 'thanks for all you tried to do' to an under performing squad, but most fans would (I think) like to retain Conor Washington who has an ability to penetrate opposition defences.

I know this is controversial, but I think this is a case for Ben Purrington.   Curbs has had some very positive things to say about him on Charlton Live and he can play in more than one position.  In other words, a useful squad player.

Jake Forster-Caskey is a talented player and we were right to stand by him, but like Ryan Inniss he is too much of an injury risk.

Jacko's plea for time

Keyboard warriors are calling for Johnnie Jackson to go (probably the same ones who called for him to be hired), but Jacko thinks that the time to judge him is after the summer and the transfer window: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-on-the-right-time-to-judge-him-as-charlton-athletic-manager/

Jacko's toughest spell as manager

Shell shocked supremo Johnnie Jackson admits that this has been his toughest period as Charlton manager, but sees some positives: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/this-is-my-toughest-spell-as-manager-johnnie-jackson-on-challenging-period-as-charlton-athletic-boss/

The CAS Trust preview of today's game against the Massives contemplates the prospect of going up north without any strikers, although there is a possibility that Jayden Stockley (and Scott Fraser) may be on the bench: https://www.castrust.org/2022/02/up-north-with-no-strikers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=up-north-with-no-strikers

Less good news is that Ryan Inniss has been sidelined by a fresh thigh injury: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-centre-back-ryan-inniss-sidelined-by-fresh-thigh-injury/

Jacko: give me height

Johnnie Jackson wants to add taller players to Charlton's squad in the summer transfer window: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-set-to-target-adding-more-physical-presence-in-summer-transfer-window/

He thinks that Charlton are missing the aerial ability of Jayden Stockley and Chuks Aneke.  Doubtless so, but the article does point out that all Oxford's goals on Saturday were scored from low strikes.

Meanwhile, perhaps some of the team could be put on stilts?   Many fans would accept short players who put in a shift.

Jacko thinks that Sean Clare was a 'little unlucky' to be sent off on Saturday, but accepts that the red card can't be appealed: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-gives-his-verdict-on-sean-clares-red-card-against-oxford-united/