PORTSMOUTH v CHARLTON ATH Jacko boys bid to turn the tables
CHARLTON Athletic boss Johnnie Jackson wants his players to take their Papa John’s Trophy frustration out on Portsmouth when they travel to the south coast tomorrow night.
The Addicks were favourites to beat League Two Hartlepool in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night, but headed back to London empty-handed after losing 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the north-east.
Now they need to switch their attention back to the bread and butter of League One action this afternoon against a Pompey side who have also failed to perform as expected this term.
Danny Cowley’s side lie 11th after a four-game winless run, though they do have games in hand on virtually everyone above them in the table.
Charlton, meanwhile, are four further rungs down the ladder in 15th position.
“We have to try and use that (Hartlepool) disappointment as fuel going into a really big game on Monday night on TV against a rival in the league,” said Jackson.
“What better way to try and get over the disappointment of going out of the cup with a big league game.”
Charlton ended a sticky spell in the league by beating Fleetwood 2-0 at home last weekend and Jackson is hoping it can be the start of better fortunes for his side.
“We were in a little bit of a rut with our league form but we got that win that we needed and it’s important now that we build on that,” he said. “The second-half was a really good performance, we looked solid in that period.”
Jackson will weigh up whether to throw midfielder Nile John, 18, signed on loan from Tottenham, straight into the action against Pompey tomorrow night.
“He’s an exciting young talent that’s well thought of at Tottenham and we’re really pleased to have him on board,” he added.