Sean Clare adds voice to list of players praising “Mr. Charlton” Johnnie Jackson
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton players have been queuing up to throw their weight behind caretaker boss Johnnie Jackson and Sean Clare has become the latest to do so – hailing the former midfielder as “Mr Charlton.”
The South Londoners have earned 13 of a possible 15 points since Jackson took over following the departure of the beleaguered Nigel Adkins.
The side is almost unrecognisable to the one that were humbled by Accrington Stanley just over a month ago – in what proved to be Adkins’ final game at the helm. Saturday’s 2-0 home win over league leaders Plymouth Argyle ended their 16-game unbeaten run and saw Jackson’s stock rise ever higher.
Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard told the South London Press last week that he may wait up to another month before making a decision about the future full-time incumbent in the Valley hotseat but Clare was full of praise for the impact made by Jackson.
“Obviously that’s a decision for above me but the results speak for themselves,” explained Clare, who joined the club in the summer.
“He’s got us playing. He’s got a good spirit back into the team. He’s brought the fans back, I think that’s a massive thing. The fans are coming, not only to see us and see us do well but because he’s Mr Charlton. He’s someone the fans can relate to, and we can relate to as players because it wasn’t long ago that he was playing.
“For him, he just needs to keep doing what he is doing and the rest will take care of itself. As players we just need to keep doing what we’re doing and the rest will take care of itself.
“He knows exactly what he wants from every single player. Sometimes, it not necessarily anyone’s fault but you do need a change. He came in at the right time, took over and provided that change. We’ve changed formation, we’ve changed style a bit. People are playing with more confidence and expressing themselves more. That’s what we need.
“We’ve got the quality to express ourselves and pick teams apart, as well as being solid and running and all the other stuff. He’s given us a base. I don’t need to say it myself, everyone can see that he’s done excellent. Him and the staff have done amazing since they’ve come in and hopefully it can continue.”
PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS