Johnnie Jackson: Charlton players should come to expect that reaction from fans after failing to meet expectations

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Johnnie Jackson said his players must expect the sort of frosty reception they got from the travelling Charlton supporters if they continue to perform as they did during the 2-1 loss at Accrington Stanley.

The defeat stretches the Addicks’ winless run to seven league games – and they are just seven points above the League One drop zone with 21st-placed Gillingham set to visit The Valley on Tuesday night.

Jayden Stockley had broken the South Londoners’ four-game goal drought with a penalty inside the opening 20 minutes – but the hosts turned the game on its head less than 15 minutes later.

Accy were level when the Addicks failed to clear a chaotic scramble inside their six-yard box, with Rosaire Longelo allowed to head in from close-range.

They had the lead four minutes later when Tommy Leigh was gifted the room to cut in and fire beyond Craig MacGillivray from range.

Leigh was shown a straight red card for an aerial challenge on Sean Clare with half an hour left to go but Charlton failed to muster a meaningful effort on goal against the 10 men – with Conor Washington’s late strike ruled out for handball.

The side were fiercely harangued as they trudged down the tunnel next to the away fans in scenes reminiscent to those dished out to Chris Powell’s struggling Charlton side away at Dagenham in early 2011 – a defeat which meant the Addicks had gone eight winless under the rookie boss back then.

“That’s the reception you’re going to get when you’re not doing the business,” said Jackson.

“That’s what happens when you’re on these difficult runs – supporters will voice their opinions. That comes with the territory. It comes with playing for this club. Expectations are high and at the moment we’re not meeting them. It’s quite reminiscent of that time.

“Powelly went through that tough run there and then used that summer to have a real rebuilding job for the football club. It’ll be a similar story this summer. We clearly need to have a shake up and think about what we’re going to do next season and who wants to be a part of it. We’ll find out a lot about players in this run.

“Disappointing [today at Accrington]. No surprises from them, the way they set up. What they try and do and how they try to hurt you. We worked on it all week and I don’t think [Accrington] disappointed. We didn’t stand up to it in key moments. In our penalty box we didn’t stand up to it. Coming away with nothing after starting so well is very disappointing.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS