Former Sunderland midfielder George Dobson has revealed he 'loving' playing for Charlton Athletic after establishing himself as a regular fixture in the Addicks side. The 24-year-old fell out of favour at the Stadium of Light and sealed a permanent exit last summer, signing a two-year deal with Charlton.
Although he started the season in favour at Charlton, he slipped down the pecking order and found himself unable to win a place in the matchday squads selected by Nigel Adkins, who started the season as Addicks manager. However, the dismissal of Adkins and appointment of Johnnie Jackson as his replacement rescued Dobson from exile and he been ever-present in the side since.
As reported by South London Press, Dobson was asked whether he felt he had something to prove after being frozen out and replied: "That’s football. You have some gaffers who like what you do and some gaffers who don’t. That’s part and parcel of the game. I was just waiting for my opportunity and thankful for the gaffer that he gave it to me. I just try to repay his faith.
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"When he put me in up at Sunderland the gaffer was like this is your opportunity. I’ve just been trying to play like every opportunity is my last to stay in the team. I’ll continue to do that every time I get picked. I’m loving playing for the club, loving being here. I really want us to push on next season and be at the right end of the table. This club, we shouldn’t be sitting in mid-table. I think I’ve just tried to give everything every time I’ve played. I’ve tried to leave everything out on the field. I’ll continue to do that every time I’ve picked."
The fixture against his former employers Sunderland that is mentioned was the one that took place at the Stadium of Light back in October. Dobson's appearance was his first in over a month and was Jackson's first game in charge after being initially appointed as caretaker manager.
The former Sparta Rotterdam midfielder was used scarcely by Sunderland and managed just three league appearances under Phil Parkinson. The appointment of Lee Johnson as Parkinson's successor did not change Dobson's status in the squad and he as given just two league outings after the managerial change.
