Exclusive: Charlton’s George Dobson on triggering contract extension, his strong relationship with fans and getting Casemiro’s shirt after Old Trafford tie

George Dobson has triggered a contract extension at Charlton Athletic to end any uncertainty over where his future lies next season.

The midfielder has made 36 appearances in all competitions this season and hit the amount required in his deal terms to keep him in SE7 until the summer of 2024.

Whether Charlton could move to make Dobson’s stay a longer-term arrangement is likely to become a topic of debate once the club’s ownership situation is resolved.

Thomas Sandgaard has been in a period of exclusivity with a group led by ex-Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven. There are other parties waiting in the wings if that takeover falters.

But there are no short-term doubts where Dobson, 25, is concerned.

“I’m playing the best football of my career and genuinely loving it,” he told the South London Press.

“So that option (in his contract) was games based. It was triggered by myself, because I hit a certain amount of games. My contract runs into next season.

“That conversation (about signing for even longer) hasn’t really happened yet. If it was to happen then it is something I’d obviously be very open to do.”

Charlton’s campaign, much like the previous one, has been beset by inconsistency and change. It says a lot about Dobson that he has been a reliable constant against that unsettling backdrop and looks a strong bet to scoop the club’s Player of the Year award for the second season in succession.

Dobson said: “I’ve got a really good relationship with the fans. I feel like they understand what I bring to the team – the sort of character I am. It just works. They appreciate what I bring and I appreciate their support – the two go well together.

“Since I’ve come to Charlton, and when I was at Wimbledon, so the last two years, I’ve found a real consistent level to my game and really realised what I’m good at and probably what I’m not so good at.

“I feel like I bring my strengths to the game consistently. You learn that from experience and playing matches.

“I’ve played a lot of games for my age, which helps. I still want to get better and there are things I can be better at – especially physically. I can go to a higher level in terms of in the gym and improving my passing a little bit at times.”

Dobson was a mainstay under Ben Garner and successor Dean Holden, appointed in December, has only increased his influence.

The pair had worked together previously at Walsall, where Holden was assistant boss. Dobson was handed the captaincy at the end of December, taking the armband off Jayden Stockley.

“I’m learning on the job a bit and I’m relishing it,” said Dobson. “It’s an unbelievable experience and one I feel is going to help me grow as a person, as well as a player.

“It is the best honour I’ve had of my career so far, to captain such a huge football club.”

Charlton’s players have had to adjust in terms of style of play too. Garner’s obsession with possession football was being punished by defensive lapses.

Holden is not bound to one approach in matches and the Addicks have won four of their last five League One fixtures.

“We were playing total football under Ben,” said Dobson. “Now under the new gaffer we have taken that element of risk out of the game. We still want to play good football but the pitches haven’t been as good.

“We were probably conceding too many sloppy goals from our own mistakes. I’m really enjoying playing under the new gaffer. I knew him from earlier in my career and we stayed in touch.

“I knew what he was all about and the energy, enthusiasm and man-management he has – to make players want to play for him. It is one of his strong points. You can see that in how we have picked up in the league.”

Dobson has played 204 matches in League One with the chance to play against higher level opposition restricted to the cup tournaments.

The recent big away day at Manchester United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals ended with him swapping shirts with Brazilian star Casemiro.

“He plays in the same position and is a five-times Champions League winner,” said Dobson.

“It was an unbelievable experience, more so because the stadium was full as well. Sometimes when you play at a big stadium and it is half-empty then it’s not got the same feel.

“It felt like a proper cup tie. It felt like a proper game. As a club ourselves, taking 9,000 fans, it was a brilliant experience and a brilliant day out. I was just gutted we couldn’t get a goal.

“We played really well, especially the first 20-25 minutes of the second half when it turned a bit end to end. We were just hoping we would get that chance that goes in. Then they bring on Casemiro and Marcus Rashford – their top players.

“It is a day that stays with you for your whole career. It only gives you more drive to try and get those games more. The only way you’ll do that is by pushing up the leagues.”

Charlton are 10 points behind sixth-placed Barnsley and have played a fixture more than both them and Peterborugh, in seventh.

Last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Exeter moved the Addicks into the top half of the table but their top-six prospects are hanging by the thinnest of threads.

“It’s obviously going to be tough, don’t get me wrong, but there is a lot of football to be played and there is no pressure,” said Dobson. “We’re sitting quite a bit away from below and quite a bit away from the top six. We’ve got nothing to lose.

“We’ll take it one game at a time and give it as good a go as we can to close the gap, see how high we can get. If we do just fall short, we give ourselves that confidence going into next season. Then we’re ready to hit the ground running and make sure next time we don’t leave ourselves too much work to do.”

Charlton were left with nothing to play for under Johnnie Jackson in the closing months of last season.

Dobson said: “We’re not in that situation at the minute. As a group we still firmly believe that there is always one team who puts a really good run together. With our form of late, and the quality of players we have, we believe it can be us.

“If you do get to the last month of the season and you’re in that limbo position it is harder naturally, because there isn’t that edge on the game. Then it’s just about your personal pride for yourself and the team to win games. Every game you play you are showcasing yourself and showcasing the team.”