U`s manager Paul Lambert says Johnnie Jackson`s stubbornness is casting a continued cloud of doubt over his future with Colchester.
Lambert says midfielder Jackson, 26, has asked to play in central midfield or nowhere, despite his versatility as a potential winger, attacking full-back or an in-the-hole goal-threat.
“I have always wanted Johnnie Jackson to stay and give it a go at Colchester, but his agent came to me and said that he wanted to leave,” Lambert told the EADT.
“That’s his choice, not mine. Johnnie has said that he wants to play in central midfield, but I can’t guarantee him a place in that position,” the manager added, confirming that as yet there had been no offers made for the former Tottenham man.
Jackson`s preferred position is also wanted by skipper Dean Hammond, Kem Izzet and new signing David Fox; it is presumably this glut of names for the role that has left Jackson feeling out in the cold.
He was not present for the new season sqaud phtograph, taken this week ahead of Saturday’s big-kick off.
So will there be any way back for Jackson?
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I don’t think it very professional of Lambert to come out and say this publicly, it should remain within the club. Probably not the best way to go about things on Jackson’s side either but i find it really hard to believe that a player who wants a transfer would only ever play in one position! It would certainly seem that if Lambert don’t like you he REALLY doesn’t like you and you are doomed to come in for what, in my opinion, is some unfair treatment. Coyne, gerken, Ifill, Lockwood, Guy to name others.
He’s making the tough calls, although fans have seen what Jackson is capable of. If he can’t get into the team, he ought not to stay.
Partly agree – he’s being tough, yeah but think it was needed.
I think fair play Lambo – you only need to read other boards and postings to see how lambert has been slated for his ‘treatment’ of certain individuals, so by coming out and saying that he wants him to stay but can’t guareentee his ‘fav’ position lets people know that he is being fair…….end of the day we are Jacko’s employers and if he is required to do a job elsewhere in the side out of his favourite position then there shouldn’t even be a discussion about it.
He should play elsewhere if the team requires it, I agree Exile. But maybe he is cutting the losses with Jacko as we have many players in there already. Why would Jacko get in a huff about not playing CM every week when he can play elsewhere?