"This is my club now, I'm as settled as I've been in my career. I feel part of it, much more than I ever did at Spurs. Now I feel that I am at a top club and really enjoying it, more than I ever have before"
Lovely to hear. Always thought he was too good for us when he signed, couldn't quite believe we had him since he was playing in the Prem just a few years ago. But whatever, he's Charlton now and glad he feels at home.
As Sir Alex Ferguson begins his 26th year as manager of Manchester United today, Charlton are proving that revolution, as well as evolution, can provide success.The south London club's decision to sack manager Phil Parkinson when fifth in League One and only three points off the automatic promotion places and hire rookie Chris Powell in his place looked, on the face of it, cavalier. A shaky start to the former Addicks full-back's reign and a 13th-place finish last season did little to allay those fears. But having made 19 new signings and after playing 17 games of the new campaign, Charlton are now five points clear at the top of League One.Among all that change at the club, Johnnie Jackson has remained one of the few constants. The midfielder was the only player in the XI for Saturday's 5-2 demolition of Preston who also started Parkinson's final game in charge."I've got a lot of respect for Parkinson but the board made their decision and it has been proven right," said Jackson."They showed a lot of faith in the gaffer, he'd never had a managerial job before but they must have seen something in him that they liked. "Obviously he is a Charlton legend, too, which helps - the supporters here love him."There are a lot of new faces around the club, seemingly more than old ones and it has taken some integration. But all the lads that have been brought in have added something and settled in really quickly. It's a real credit to the management that they have chosen the right characters to fit the personality of the club."Powell appointed Jackson as club captain at the beginning of the season and the midfielder's influence on his side is undeniable. It was noticeable that after Jackson's two goals had helped his team to a 5-0 lead - with Michael Morrison, Danny Hollands and Bradley Wright-Phillips also scoring - his substitution was followed by the home team shipping two late goals. The 29-year-old has travelled a nomadic path to The Valley, spending time at seven different clubs - five of which while on Tottenham's books. And while Jackson, who grew up supporting Arsenal, wishes he'd left Spurs a few years earlier, he believes his experiences enhance his ability to lead the team. "I am at a stage of my career where I'm ready for extra responsibility," he added. "I feel I've responded to the role well and the boys have taken to me. This is my club now, I'm as settled as I've been in my career. "I feel part of it, much more than I ever did even at Spurs. I was brought up there and spent almost eight years at White Hart Lane but I always knew, at the back of my mind, that eventually I would move on. "I could just see the ways things were going at the club. They were starting to bring in a lot of foreigners for a lot of money. "It's not like I was pushed out, it's just a realistic thing that they were buying real quality players who were better than me. But now I feel that I am at a top club and really enjoying it, more than I ever have before." There is certainly a lot for Jackson and Charlton's fans to enjoy, with the club joint 15-8 favourites with Huddersfield for the League One title after a fourth consecutive win. It would be easy for Jackson to get carried away with Charlton's successful start to the season but it does not suit his character. He pointed to the two goals his side had conceded against Preston rather than the five they had scored."The moment you think you are too good for this league you get unstuck," he said. "It's important that we work at being focused every game. When we are on our game we are as good as anyone in this league. We can't afford to just turn up and cruise it though, we aren't Manchester United."
"This is my club now, I'm as settled as I've been in my career. I feel part of it, much more than I ever did at Spurs. Now I feel that I am at a top club and really enjoying it, more than I ever have before"
It's good to have a captain with his head screwed on.
Liking what he's saying a lot and am really glad he loves it here. He could easily have taken his talents elsewhere and we all knew he would be an integral part of the project here. It's great to have some proper Charlton players around the club again.....
Comments
As Sir Alex Ferguson begins his 26th year as manager of Manchester United today, Charlton are proving that revolution, as well as evolution, can provide success.The south London club's decision to sack manager Phil Parkinson when fifth in League One and only three points off the automatic promotion places and hire rookie Chris Powell in his place looked, on the face of it, cavalier. A shaky start to the former Addicks full-back's reign and a 13th-place finish last season did little to allay those fears. But having made 19 new signings and after playing 17 games of the new campaign, Charlton are now five points clear at the top of League One.Among all that change at the club, Johnnie Jackson has remained one of the few constants. The midfielder was the only player in the XI for Saturday's 5-2 demolition of Preston who also started Parkinson's final game in charge."I've got a lot of respect for Parkinson but the board made their decision and it has been proven right," said Jackson."They showed a lot of faith in the gaffer, he'd never had a managerial job before but they must have seen something in him that they liked. "Obviously he is a Charlton legend, too, which helps - the supporters here love him."There are a lot of new faces around the club, seemingly more than old ones and it has taken some integration. But all the lads that have been brought in have added something and settled in really quickly. It's a real credit to the management that they have chosen the right characters to fit the personality of the club."Powell appointed Jackson as club captain at the beginning of the season and the midfielder's influence on his side is undeniable. It was noticeable that after Jackson's two goals had helped his team to a 5-0 lead - with Michael Morrison, Danny Hollands and Bradley Wright-Phillips also scoring - his substitution was followed by the home team shipping two late goals. The 29-year-old has travelled a nomadic path to The Valley, spending time at seven different clubs - five of which while on Tottenham's books. And while Jackson, who grew up supporting Arsenal, wishes he'd left Spurs a few years earlier, he believes his experiences enhance his ability to lead the team. "I am at a stage of my career where I'm ready for extra responsibility," he added. "I feel I've responded to the role well and the boys have taken to me. This is my club now, I'm as settled as I've been in my career. "I feel part of it, much more than I ever did even at Spurs. I was brought up there and spent almost eight years at White Hart Lane but I always knew, at the back of my mind, that eventually I would move on. "I could just see the ways things were going at the club. They were starting to bring in a lot of foreigners for a lot of money. "It's not like I was pushed out, it's just a realistic thing that they were buying real quality players who were better than me. But now I feel that I am at a top club and really enjoying it, more than I ever have before." There is certainly a lot for Jackson and Charlton's fans to enjoy, with the club joint 15-8 favourites with Huddersfield for the League One title after a fourth consecutive win. It would be easy for Jackson to get carried away with Charlton's successful start to the season but it does not suit his character. He pointed to the two goals his side had conceded against Preston rather than the five they had scored."The moment you think you are too good for this league you get unstuck," he said. "It's important that we work at being focused every game. When we are on our game we are as good as anyone in this league. We can't afford to just turn up and cruise it though, we aren't Manchester United."
Just the kinda thing the faithful want to hear.