Johnnie Jackson unsure if he’ll still be in charge for AFC Wimbledon game – says whoever comes in has a good chance to finish in the top six with Charlton

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Johnnie Jackson is yet to find out if he will still be in caretaker charge of Charlton Athletic for Saturday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon.

The Addicks assistant boss led the side during the 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers at The Valley on Tuesday evening following Lee Bowyer’s shock departure for Birmingham City.

Charlton make the trip across South London for their first ever visit to the new Plough Lane on Saturday afternoon but owner Thomas Sandgaard, who has said he wants to appoint a successor to Bowyer quickly, hasn’t told Jackson yet if he will still be at the helm at that point.

Jackson explained: “That’s going to come around quick. The lads will be off tomorrow but come Thursday we’ll be back in and the lads will have to prepare for another football match.

“I just said to them enjoy tonight but before you know if you’ll be back in and that night is gone. The focus becomes about a new game. There’s going to have to be conversations, we’ll need to know what we’re doing going into the weekend. But they haven’t happened yet.”

Tuesday’s turnaround win against the Gas saw Charlton climb back into the League One play-off places – albeit having played at least two more games than all of the sides surrounding them.

Jackson, who is yet to decide whether he will apply for the vacant managerial role himself, reckons whoever does fill that void will have a great shot at finishing in the top six this season.

“It’s a difficult task,” he said.

“There’s a lot of good teams up there and they’re all vying for it but I said to the lads: ‘We’ve got a great opportunity still here. If you win tonight, you put yourselves right back into the mix. And then you attack the next game. If you win that, who knows.’ I just want them to believe that it’s still possible. They have to keep fighting and fighting.

“Whether I’m here or whether I’m not here, whoever it is, there’s still an opportunity for this football club to get in the top six. We’ve all been there, we know what can happen on the back of that. I just want them to believe in themselves. I think they showed that in the final hour of that game. When they’re at it and they show that spirit and endeavour, they’re a good side. They just need reminding that they are good and capable. Who knows where it can take them.”

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