Alex Gilbey: I’m desperate for Johnnie Jackson to be appointed Charlton Athletic’s permanent manager now

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Alex Gilbey says he is “desperate” for Johnnie Jackson to be handed the permanent managerial role at The Valley.

The Charlton midfielder capped off the latest triumph of the caretaker chief’s superb spell in charge when he bagged his first goal of the season to underline a 2-0 home win over Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening – a night in which the South Londoners found another level as they put together some excellent moves and could have had a hatful of goals.

The Addicks have taken 17 from a possible 24 league points since Jackson replaced Nigel Adkins towards the end of October but he is still yet to be rewarded with the full time role in SE7.

“I’m desperate for him to be announced now,” explained Gilbey.

“Hopefully something gets sorted. The lads love him. We’re just hoping it can be sorted out and we can keep kicking on.

“The lads love Jacko. He’s been absolutely brilliant. This season we’ve won some games where we’ve competed really well and run hard but not been that good on the ball. [Against Ipswich], it’s all come together. We were really good on and off the ball. You have to be against top sides. It’s all come together really well.

“A great performance from the lads. We knew Ipswich are a top side. They’ve just lost their manager so we knew they’d be up for it. We had to match their intensity – we did that and ran all over them. It’s a really good result and nice to finally get a goal. A lot to build on.

“Definitely [it was the best display of the season]. Especially with how good the fans were on a Tuesday night. It was unbelievable. It was a really good performance.Plymouth was good but we’ve topped that. Now, can we take it into Saturday against Cambridge?”

Gilbey, 26, bagged three goals in the final eight games of last season but had to be patient before finally breaking his duck with the classy clincher late on against the Tractor Boys.

“I know I did need to add goals to my game”, admitted the former Milton Keynes man.

“I’m getting in a lot of good positions and things just ain’t quite dropping for me. Jacko’s been giving me a bit of stick, so it’s nice to see it hit the back of the net.

“I feel like once I get one, hopefully they start flowing. I’ve been waiting patiently for it and missed some good chances. It’s good to finally see it in the back of the net.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS