Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones: 'That is a learning curve for us. We need to get back to basics'

Addicks chief cites depleted defensive selection options as a factor in 5-1 home reverse to Southampton

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones referenced their defensive injury issues after today’s 5-1 loss to Southampton at The Valley.

The Addicks had only suffered one defeat in SE7 this year coming into the Championship contest.

Picture: Keith Gillard

But unlike that reverse, which was purely down to a moment of brilliance from Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu, this was a far more emphatic reverse by a Saints side who have been revitalised since Tonda Eckert took caretaker charge, winning all three matches since replacing Will Still at the beginning of November.

Charlton went behind after 14 minutes - Ryan Manning headed home at the back post - and that proved to be the catalyst for a hugely damaging spell.

Southampton scored four times in the space of eight minutes through Alan Armstrong, Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz.

Azaz added a fifth in the 43rd minute.

Lloyd Jones converted Sonny Carey’s corner in first-half stoppage time but it proved to be only the smallest of consolations.

“Give credit to them, for 20 minutes they were as good a side as we’ve seen at this level,” said Jones, who had a 95-day spell in charge of Southampton in the Premier League before being dismissed in 2023. “Could we have been a bit more aggressive? We didn’t do the things that we normally do. That is basically what has cost us.

“We didn’t defend the box well enough for the first goal. We allowed certain things to happen for the second, which kind of kills it. They go up a level. Then you really worry, when they get three and four quickly. But we showed a lot of character in the second half. We tweaked it defensively.

“We were probably a little more reserved than we normally are but we felt we needed to do that (with a match against Stoke City to come on Tuesday).

“That is a learning curve for us.”

Charlton were unable to field James Bree, on loan from Southampton.

It depleted defensive options even further with Josh Edwards, Amari’i Bell and Reece Burke ruled out due to injury.

Jones subbed off Rob Apter, who started at right wing-back, after just 24 minutes.

Picture: Keith Gillard

“With the greatest of respect, we are stretched,” said the Charlton chief. “We have four fit defenders and one of them couldn’t play today because it was against their parent club.

“So we had three fit defenders and played wingers in wing-back positions. It’s tough. We didn’t quite get things right. We gave them too much respect and they were able to play into front. We were deep and weren’t aggressive winning that first ball, like we normally are. They had runners, quality and real technique to really hurt us. We looked open, which isn’t normal.

“We couldn’t do anything differently, apart from come off the press, because we didn’t have the personnel to do anything different. We have had to be like that.

“We are stretched defensively. Josh Edwards got injured. We moved Amari’i [Bell] and he got injured because of that switch in position and the Jamaican games as well. He never got any respite and that’s how he picked up another injury. We lose Reece Burke and we can’t play Bree. That is four players out of our back five that would start for us.

“Coming up a level, we are still adjusting to it, we can’t really compete and handle that.

“That is the best Southampton have played all season. They saved that for a 20-minute spell against us. They have huge resources, a huge playing squad - technical, athletic and front-footed players that can, at times, do that to you. I didn’t want it to be against us.”

Charlton captain Greg Docherty also did post-match media and emphasised that the result would not “define” their campaign.

“The overriding message is that we’ll own it, front it and be better for it,” said the Scottish midfielder.

Jones, asked about his player’s comment, responded: “It won’t define us, as long as we get back to normal. Today we weren’t aggressive and didn’t do the basics well. We lost a header at the back stick which meant we conceded the first goal. We let runners go through the middle of us and run off the back of us.

“If we do that again then, of course, it will define our season - because it will be a theme.

“We have to go back to basics. I keep saying to everyone that when we do that we are in with a chance of winning games. When we don’t and are open - not aggressive and front-footed - then that can happen.

“Every test is difficult at this level because we have come up and we’re playing catch up with other teams, in terms of resources. But the injuries should give other people the opportunity to say: ‘I’m good enough’.”