After a busy lockdown period for Jonny Williams, the midfielder is raring to go and is looking forward to getting back on the pitch.
The Wales international spent lockdown in Tonbridge and was pleased to be back at Sparrows Lane last week.
Williams said: “I don’t think anyone realised how long it would last. We were set a programme by Charlton. We’ve worked extremely hard, the programmes have been very tough. We can see over the past week how hard the boys have worked, we’re all in really good shape.”
The 26-year-old worked hard during lockdown but admitted he was happy to be back training with the group. He said: “I’ve been playing with my mum and dad in the garden! It’s been tough, we play football to play with the ball, we aren’t runners so it’s tough having nobody to play with. I’m glad to be back with the boys. We’ve done ballwork since we’ve been back and we’re all in really good shape. I’m excited to play games now, we have to switch our mentality to the games and the job in hand."
With the Championship season set to return on June 20th, Williams spoke about performances before the break and the collective excitement upon the season’s restart.
He said: “Bows said it’s a mini season now, it’s nine games and nine cup finals starting at Hull. The break came at a good time, performances weren’t great. We’ve had time now to reflect and go again. It gave opportunities for players like Pagey [Lewis Page] to come back fit. It’s great to see him back with the boys, I know what it’s like so it’s great to have them back and fit.
“The main job now is to stay in the league. We have a big task in hand to stay up. I believe in the group and we all believe in each other, the manager believes in us. I am desperate for us to stay up, all the boys are and the boys can’t wait to play again.”
The return of the Championship season is set to see teams play behind closed doors, with no supporters allowed in the stadium due to the government restrictions in place. Williams weighed up the pros and the cons of playing in an empty stadium.
“When we play at The Valley, the fans make such a difference. Especially last year and this year so it’ll be tough, we have to do it for those watching at home. When we play away from home, Leeds on the last day would have been tough, a full house with them going for promotion, so there is positives and negatives for sure.”
The Charlton fanbase will be willing Williams on to get his first goal for the club and it is something he is working on.
He explained: “I’d love to score more goals, it’s something that I haven’t always done in my career. I think it’s down to a few things, maybe not wanting to shoot at times. I’ve always looked for the pass.
“I’d love to score more goals, it’s something I’ve been working on at Charlton. I’ve seen my finishing improve under Bowyer in training, he’s worked on that with me and it’s now about getting the opportunities to score.”
Article by Nick Emms