Jonny Williams reckons he had no choice other than to break Charlton duck after Lee Bowyer’s premonition

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Jonny Williams reckons he had no choice other than to break his Charlton duck after boss Lee Bowyer predicted he would do so at Portsmouth.

The Welsh international finally bagged his first Addicks goal in his 53^rd appearance for the club as he broke the deadlock during the fine 2-0 win at Fratton Park.

Williams had already notched his first goal for Wales earlier on during October and Bowyer fancied him to do the same for Charlton after opting to play him in an advanced role on the south coast.

“I was saying that I didn’t have an option really,” joked Williams.

“[Bowyer] said to the whole team that I was going to score today. Just before, when we were doing team shape he said I was going to score my first goal for the club today. I thank him for the opportunities. I’m getting in the right positions now.

“I’ve just got to keep doing it and I think goals will come. Got my first goal for Wales a couple of weeks ago and now my first goal for Charlton. I’ve just got to keep getting in the box. Bringing a different side to my game for sure.

“He just keeps saying get in the box and I’ll score. Today, it was a great ball across the goal and I couldn’t really miss from there. Great service, great move. I think both the goals were great moves. Over the moon to get on the end of one.

“Over the moon. I wondered if I’d ever score my goal for this club. My first one. Unbelievable feeling against a good side.”

Williams, 27, has been a fans favourite since arriving at The Valley in January 2019 but had been out of favour in the early part of this campaign. The clash with Pompey was just his’ second start in League One this season with Bowyer having called for more end product from the midfielder.

The former Sunderland loanee says he’s taken his manager’s instructions on board.

He explained: “I’m now just getting in there and the belief I’m going to score. As soon as it goes wide I’m sprinting into the box whereas before maybe I’m the one dribbling and playing it wide. I’m never close enough to get that goal. Today, I saw Jake Forster-Caskey is playing it wide, it was a great ball out wide and I just thought sprint into the box. You see [Raheem] Sterling score so many of those goals.

“The gaffer just told me to get on the end of them and I’m delighted. He’s shown his faith to keep playing me. I’m bringing different strengths to my game and hopefully I can just keep doing that now.

“I’ve always played the same way. Always like to get on the ball and make things happen. Never been the type where it’s all about me. If I can score goals then it can only help the team. If I can contribute with that then it will be amazing. But I’ll keep playing the same way, getting on the ball and trying to make things happen. If I can get on the scoresheet then that’s the icing on top of the cake.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS