Bramall Lane matchwinner Tanto Olaofe 'frustrated' by lack of game time at start of Charlton Athletic's season

Addicks boss Jones tells his players: Make it hard for me to leave you out

Nathan Jones admitted that Isaac Olaofe has been “frustrated” at his lack of Championship game time.

The summer signing from Stockport County scored the 90th-minute winner at Sheffield United today.

Olaofe came off the bench in the 79th minute to replace Tyreece Campbell and finished a cross from James Bree at close range.

The former Millwall striker has not been able to command the same kind of game time as other attacking rivals like Campbell, Miles Leaburn and Charlie Kelman in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Nathan Jones celebrates at full-time at Bramall Lane

Picture: Kyle Andrews

Asked what else Olaofe needed to show to Jones to get greater game time, the Welshman told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition: “Exactly what he has done today. Goals, energy, running ability - game-changing. That is it. He will get opportunities.

“You have to understand that we can only play 11 players and we’ve got competition in every position now. So there are arguments for everyone.

“Joe Rankin-Costello came here to play. So did Harvey Knibbs, Tanto Oloafe and Rob Apter. We’ve got competition from behind that and people who have done well for me - Karoy Anderson. Ibby Fullah is pushing at the door and he is training off the charts.

“The competition and levels had to go up at this club and they have - significantly. If people want to stay in the team, or get in the team, then they have to be consistent every day.

“That will do him the world of good and I’m really proud of him, because he’s had to be patient. He’s come on late and been frustrated. He was one of the main men at Stockport and he thought ‘I’m coming here to play’. No, you’re coming here to be a Championship player and help Charlton Athletic be the best we can be.

“If he wants more minutes then keep doing that. It is hard to leave you out.”

Isaac Olaofe scores Charlton Athletic’s winner

Picture: Kyle Andrews

James Bree was one of two changes made by Jones for the trip north.

Reece Burke came in for the suspended Kayne Ramsay while James Bree, signed at the end of the transfer window on loan from Southampton, replaced Rob Apter in the starting line-up.

The pair’s displays ensure that Jones will have a headache in terms of selection against Blackburn Rovers next weekend at The Valley. Ramsay has served his one-match suspension for his red card against Millwall.

“The thinking with it was that we are away from home and we play a certain way - Bree knows exactly how I play because he has done it for me over two really successful seasons at Luton,” said Jones. "I took him to Southampton in the Premier League. So he knows exactly what I want to do.

“Rob is new and done really well for me, but you are away from home and want to be defensively sound, first and foremost.

“Bree gives you defensive solidity, athleticism - which is top level - and a quality in the final third that we’re very fortunate to have.”

Not only was it Charlton’s first victory on the road since promotion to England’s second tier. The last victory on the road in the Championship before this was against Hull City in June 2020.

“I can’t change history,” said Jones. “All I can do is make new ones. We have a squad here that I’m really proud of because it is humble and has a point to prove - whether you are 21, 22 or 23 or you are Reece Burke, who has played here and got promoted into the Premier League. James Bree. They have all got points to prove in the group.

“We have that hungry group.

“Sheffield United are not in a good place at the moment but they will improve, because of the quality they have and because the manager is used to getting results at the level.

“What we didn’t want to do was give them the spark or catalyst they needed.

“If we’re the best versions of ourselves then I’ll be the first to come in here (the media press conference room) and congratulate them.

Charlton’s players enjoy their 90th-minute winner

Picture: Kyle Andrews

“We were good today. Away from home, it was the perfect away performance. More perfect would’ve been if we’d taken one of the first-half chances. We are new to the division and these are Premier League or Championship, Premier League or Championship. We’ve had to climb and adjust to the level but we have done that with real regularity.”

Jones talked about losing his composure for 20 seconds after Olaofe’s winner.

But he insisted it was not the same when he savoured the full-time moment in front of the 1,954 travelling support.

“That was controlled,” he said. “You’re celebrating with your fans. They have travelled up. It was absolutely hammering down and they have spent money and queued - the roads are shut into the ground. It shows our appreciation for them.

“They were brilliant all game. They have been brilliant since I came in. They have been brilliant this season when things haven’t quite gone to plan. I’d have loved to have given them that boost last weekend - that euphoria - but we couldn’t. We had to keep that for this week.”

---

---