Charlton boss Jackson: My players have got to take personal responsibility for keeping ball out our net

Johnnie Jackson has called for his Charlton Athletic players to take “personal responsibility” for keeping the ball out of their back of their own net.

The Addicks have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven matches.

Their 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland in their most recent fixture at The Valley was a first clean sheet since January 22.

But Charlton once again looked vulnerable in the air at the weekend, especially for the opening goal in the 2-1 loss at Accrington Stanley.

Jackson said: “It’s disappointing because we debrief every game and go through the good and the bad. And we talk about the goals we’re conceding – we try and put it right on the training ground, especially the set-piece situations.

“We go through what the opposition are going to do and how we counteract it. But at the end of the day you cross the line and you’ve got a job – you’ve got to do it.

“You have got to take personal responsibility. If you have a man to mark then he is your man. If he scores then that is your fault.

“If you’re given a zonal job to do, or you’re a goalkeeper, you need to help the team out in those roles as well. That has to be personal responsibility.

“I feel like we’re giving all the information and doing the right practise but it’s not being implemented on the pitch. It is frustrating. If I felt we weren’t preparing the team properly that would be one thing – but we are.

“As a player you need to hold your hand up and say: ‘I need to do better’ in those instances.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS