Jayden Stockley says Charlton Athletic had to win their supporters back over with their displays on the field of play
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Nigel Adkins had told his side that they would be able to win the fans back over if they upped their performance levels.
Charlton were booed from the field after a 2-0 home defeat against Wigan last weekend saw them go four winless at the start of the season but those jeers turned into cheers as the South Londoners put Crewe Alexandra to the sword by the same score line on Saturday.
Forward Jayden Stockley, who notched the Addicks’ second goal in the win over the Alex, revealed that Adkins had challenged the team to win the supporters back by letting their football do the talking.
Stockley said: “The gaffer said it – our performances and how we react will get the fans onside. By playing fast football, getting in their faces and really dictating the way we want to play. And the fans feed off that. I’ve been there before when I was a football fan. You want the players to give you something and that’s our responsibility to create an atmosphere.
“It was great,” added Stockley when asked about his first turn preforming the traditional tunnel jump celebration that Charlton players do after home wins.
“I didn’t know about it. I didn’t get told so I got thrown in the deep end a little bit. I was riled up today and I was passionate. I thought the fans were brilliant and staying out there at the end is excellent. In the second-half they really got behind us because the physical demand today was a lot. A lot of lads have played a lot of minutes so we needed them today. It just brought us forward and we probably should have ended up with more goals.
“I’ve not looked at the table once so far this season. I know what’s expected of the club and the group of players. I tend to look at a group of games and expect a certain amount of points from it. Then maybe I’ll have a look at it after that. It’s not something I tend to do personally right now because at the end of the season the goal is promotion so that is the time to look at it.”
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