Jackson: "When we’re on it we’re a match for anyone"

Johnnie Jackson was overjoyed with his side’s dominant display at The Valley on Tuesday night as the Addicks registered a comprehensive 2-0 triumph over Ipswich Town.

Jayden Stockley broke the deadlock on 26 minutes with his 12th goal in as many matches, before Alex Gilbey settled the outcome with a matter of minutes remaining.

“I’m really, really pleased,” Jackson told CharltonTV. “I thought it was a wonderful night for us. To see The Valley rocking under the lights and we had the performance to match it, so we’re really pleased with our night’s work.

“It was an even start. It took us a while to get a foothold - the goal did help but I thought even before that we started to get on top. It was one of those games where you have to win your knockdowns, your second balls and you really have to work your way into the game. And I thought once we did that then the rest came - the in-possession stuff. We played some lovely football at times, we scored some good goals and we should have scored more. That would be my one gripe.

“It had to be about us really because obviously with the change of management you don’t know how much [John McGreal] was going to shake it up. Obviously he hasn’t had long to work with them but there’s been a change for a reason so you’re wondering whether he’s going to change personnel and perhaps formation - stuff like that. We worked on a little bit of stuff about them and I watched them last week in the Papa John’s Trophy and I obviously did my homework on them. 

“That all sort of went up in the air when they made the change so I had to flip it and just concentrate on my team really… what we’re about and what we do well because I believe that when we do that and when we’re on it - like we were tonight - we’re a match for anyone.”

Jackson expressed his delight for Alex Gilbey, who bagged his first goal of the campaign with a well-taken finish on 88 minutes.

“I was pleased for Gilbs to score the goal at the end because he’s been beating himself up a little bit,” he added. “He feels like he should score more goals, as he should because of the attributes that he’s got, the type of player he is and the positions he gets in. He’s been outstanding for me so for him to pop up with ultimately what is the winning goal on the night.”

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