Jackson: "Important we got back to winning ways"

Johnnie Jackson was thrilled to see his side get back to winning ways against Fleetwood Town at The Valley on Saturday.

Charlton weathered an early Fleetwood storm before Mason Burstow broke the deadlock on 53 minutes, with Albie Morgan putting the seal on proceedings in stoppage-time to earn the Addicks a first league triumph in five.

“It was really important to get a win, back here in front of our home crowd,” Jackson told CharltonTV. “We’ve not been on the greatest of runs in the league, we’ve lost a couple of games and then we drew one last week, so it was really important that we got back to winning ways and ended that run without a win. I’m really pleased to do it here in front of our own fans with a clean sheet - that’s always nice as well.

“Fleetwood are a good side, they’ve definitely responded to their new manager [Stephen Crainey] and he’s got them playing really well. They had a great result last week against a very strong Rotherham side, so we knew that it would be a tough game today.

“They started really brightly", the boss continued. "I thought they were the better side in those early periods and it took us a while to get to grips with that. I thought we grew into it first-half, ended the half quite strongly and then I thought in the second-half we came out and put our stamp on the game. Obviously we got the goal which definitely helped to settle us, but they kept us honest throughout the game because they’re a good side.”

Academy graduate Burstow impressed once again, instinctively heading home his second league goal in three games to the delight of his manager.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for Mason again,” Jackson beamed. “We’re talking a lot about Mason at the moment because he’s one that we really like here and he’s got a really bright future.

“It’s always nice when someone’s come through the ranks and you can get them into your team, so it’s fantastic for him that he’s got his goal. I rewarded him with a start for his performances, and he’s gone and got his goal so brilliant for him.”

Having spurned a gilt-edged opportunity in additional time, Morgan atoned for his error just 35 seconds later with a well-taken finish - the 21-year-old’s first league goal at The Valley.  

“Albie got himself off the hook there because I think me and him might have been having a few words in the changing room,” Jackson joked. “That’s something that we’ve been working really hard on with Albie. Again, he’s someone I’ve known for a long, long time who has come through the academy system. 

“He’s got bundles of ability, the lad,” he added. “He needs to score more goals. That’s something that we’ve spoken about and that we’ve worked on tirelessly with him. We were working on it this week so when he missed that one I was a little bit upset with him, but then he made up for it a minute later. I’m really pleased for him as well because he’s had to bide his time but he’s stepped up when given his opportunity and fair play to him.”

Read Time: 3 mins