Johnnie Jackson is ready to supply his own input into Charlton’s summer rebuilding job.
The Addicks club captain was the first to commit his future after relegation to League One was confirmed in last month’s defeat at Bolton.
And Jackson hopes to play a part in Charlton’s plans for the close season. He was the influential skipper when the South London club won promotion to the Championship.
There is still doubt surrounding the future of head coach Jose Riga. The Belgian boss has already stated that he would need assurances to continue - and that is before owner Roland Duchatelet has his own say on the matter.
But Jackson knows what needs to be built in a playing squad to have success in English football’s third tier.
He told Louis Mendez on Charlton Live’s Player of the Season podcast:”We need a solid base going forward. I’m going to do all I can do in advising the club over new players that come in and go out when the new squad is built over the close season and the season.
“I’ve got an important role to play, whether I’m on the pitch or not. I think I’m an important cog between the club and the fans, especially at this difficult time.
“I think the fans know that I’ve got the club at heart and I want the best for the club. I’ll try and be a go-between as best as I can.
“Ademola [Lookman] and Jordan [Cousins] picked up awards and if we can hang onto these players and build around them it can have the makings of an exciting season.
“Hopefully we might have reached rock bottom and from here on the only way is up. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
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Comments
For me rock bottom would be dropping into League Two and the Fifth tier for the first ever time
Katrien is going to mess with us all by making JJ head coach. I just know it.
Mmmmmm, okay JJ, when was the last time our owners listened to anyone other than their ego's?
And he's got the potential to be a fantastic manager, hopefully for us once these cretins have gone.
He is only in this position because the club have STILL failed to employ a chief scout, will most likely be employing a new head coach and have demonstrated no discernible strategy for building a team. The fact that they are asking Jackson is nothing more than an indication of the total failure to run the playing side of the club properly.
By some accounts, it appears that Meire has asked for Jackson's opinion on these sorts of things in the past, then either ignored or failed to act on the advice anyway.
When I spoke to Mel Baroni I explained the importance of Jacko and Solly to the fans. And euell. She said she was aware of the respect they rightly have. As long as they stick around there is hope.
I've asked Ademola what he plans were for next season he said "I just want to play football every week". I don't think its a foregone conclusion he will depart.
My friend and i bumped into Jordan Cousins a few weeks ago and asked him if he'll be here next year - he said "We'll see" and stomped off. I'd be surprised if he's here next year but then it might just have been he was in a fould mood after a defeat.
I've also heard first hand Jacko saying he will definitely be here next season.
So thats Jacko, Solly, Pope ,Harriott and Lennon I suspect are certs to stay. Sarr probably on peanuts so we'll keep him (game time would be ideal for him)
Fox on the move is likely to be paper talk and he'll stick around.
All the loanees are going away. JBG is on a ridiculous wage so he's on his toes. Tex likely to be off too (shame - hes like an Aldi Jorge Costa imo), Igor is well documented,Reza is and has always been pants so he can go.
We'll need a good, older wiser head for backup goalkeeper to Popey.
A couple of clogging central defenders to work with Lennon and Sarr
Love to keep hold of Kashi - I'd say he owes us a season for nursing him through his injury.
And a couple of journeymen strikers who know where the goal is. 1 of whom needs to be a wrecking ball. Someone like Yann dare I say it.
Maybe Lookman.
If we spend a couple of million on the best players in the L1 and L2 then no reason we can't replicate the season of 4 years ago provided the right head coach is in place. Chris Wilder could be a good fit for that role.
This whole thing is becoming a joke now. There's obviously no strategy in place, no idea about how and what to do next, and I imagine the whole of the footballing fraternity who we need to turn things round, wouldn't touch us with a barge pole. They're now between a rock and a hard place. The only thing they have on their side is time. As we slip into June, July, that will dissipate, and the stark reality of how clueless they really are will become all too obvious (if it isn't already).
Paul Elliot is the new CEO
An "investor" is found
Jackson is "player Manager"
Lenny is the director of football
herd it here first !! a Raven told me when i was walking on the White Cliffs Sunday
With most likely another management change, who sets the requirements for scouting the players for their preferred system?
As they weren't countenancing relegation to League One any scouting, such as it is, would have been for Championship players. They have to draw up a list of targets (there will need to be a lot of them!) to construct a new team for a new league that they haven't scouted either.
I fear next season is going to be an even bigger disaster than this season.
It's that fucking easy Latrien!!!!!
If we are going to have a great season, Duchatelet will have to appoint a manager who knows the league and leat him get on with it, with full support and no interference. Having JJ as part of the management team in a minor capacity wouldn't be a bad call!
We wont be having a great season, and the first step will be the announcement of our new manager!