‘I’m disappointed I haven’t started more games’ – Charlton midfielder desperate to make big impact

Jack Payne has given his verdict on his opening months at Charlton Athletic.

The summer signing from Swindon Town has made eight appearances, two of those as a starter.

Payne came off the bench to score against Barnsley last weekend and is hoping to be in Ben Garner’s starting 11 for the visit to SE7 of his former club Oxford United tomorrow.

“Half of me looks and thinks that I’ve come into a new club, I’ve missed the start of the season – so I’m almost playing catch up – and I’ve still managed to get a couple of starts,” Payne told the South London Press. “I’ve been involved in quite a few goals. From that point of view, I should be quite pleased. But, at the same time, I’ve not started as many games as I’d have liked to.

“The standard is so good that I don’t really have a right to come in and expect to play every single game.

“It’s about trying to take my opportunity when I can and cement my place in the team.

“I’m disappointed I haven’t started more games, I’m not going to lie about that. But we’ve got some unbelievable players in midfield, probably six, and every single one of them expects to start.

“There’s definitely more to come from me. I feel like I’ve settled in, naturally it takes time even though the lads have been great from the get go.

“It comes from a positive place because I’m desperate to do well for the team. I’ve spoken to the gaffer about that and he knows me as a character.

“We’ve probably got two elevens who can compete at the top end of this league.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD