Jack Payne on ‘difficult’ first campaign at Charlton: I’m my biggest critic

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Jack Payne ended his six-month wait for a Charlton Athletic league goal on Tuesday night but the matchwinner admits he is feeling frustrated at the way his campaign has panned out.

The 28-year-old midfielder followed manager Ben Garner from Swindon Town to SE7 in the summer.
Payne made his 11th league start of the campaign as the Addicks picked up a 1-0 victory at Milton Keynes, his other 25 appearances in the competition coming as a substitute.

“It’s been a frustrating season for me,” said Payne. “I’ve struggled to get a run of games. I’ve not started more than three league games in a row.

“At the same time, I’m my biggest critic. I’ve not done well enough when I have played to warrant that. It’s difficult.

“Nights like Tuesday – where I do come in the team, get a goal, and play quite well, I’m really pleased with. Hopefully I can do more of that because I just want to get better and better. Hopefully I can finish the season strongly and take that into next season.”

The former Huddersfield man had picked up four goals and three assists by early November but was still finding starts hard to come by under Garner, who was instrumental in bringing Payne to The Valley.

Did he feel he wasn’t getting a fair crack of the whip?

“I wouldn’t say I was unfairly treated,” he said.

“Every player is biased towards themselves and desperate to play. There were times I felt I was going to play and didn’t.

“We’ve got 20 lads – such a strong, talented squad – and every player thinks they should be playing. I would have liked to have played a lot more and got a run of games, but it is what it is. I’ve just got to, when I do get the opportunity, do what I can.”

Charlton have upped their points return since Dean Holden took over in December.

Their 1.55 average would still see them fall six or seven points short of the top six over a 46-game campaign but they would have edged closer than the 14 points they trail from them now.

Payne said: “In the last few months our record has been a lot better, but we want to be challenging at the top.

“We don’t like the fact that coming to the end of the season, there’s not too much to play for. We want to be fighting for promotion. That’s what I’m used to in my career, that’s what a lot of players are used to.

“Throughout the season we’ve improved. The first half of the season wasn’t good enough.

“Second half of the season has been considerably better. If you look at the form table over the last four months, I wouldn’t be surprised if we are in and around the top six.

“We want more than that. When we’ve played sides around the play-offs, we’ve competed more than enough. [The 6-0 defeat at] Ipswich was a reality check. We’ve got a lot to improve upon. That will come with time. We’ve only worked with this gaffer for three or four months.

“A full pre-season and hopefully we can give it a really good go next season. Everyone – the fans and players – are on the same page and desperate to be successful.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS