Charlton Athletic review of the week: Lloyd Jones reacts to Wrexham loss, Michail Antonio had to 'swallow ego' while he trialled and youngster signs professional deal
Wrexham midfielder George Dobson talks about Valley return - and fact his dad is still a supporter of the south Londoners
It’s the latest review of the week. If something major happened involving the Addicks, then you will find it here!
Lloyd Jones applauds the Charlton fans on Saturday/Picture: Paul Edwards
LLOYDY: IMPROVED PERFORMANCE IS THE POSITIVE
Lloyd Jones was on post-match player interview duties after Charlton’s 1-0 loss to Wrexham on Saturday.
And the Addicks vice-captain, wearing the armband at the weekend due to Greg Docherty being benched, was left “really disappointed” that the Addicks were unable to convert some of their big opportunities in the fixture at The Valley.
“We made enough clear-cut chances today to win the game,” said Jones. “The only positive thing is that there was a performance there. But at the end of the day, I’d rather play badly and get three points.
“If we can recreate that performance for the rest of the season then I think we’ll be fine.
“Today was a missed opportunity. We’ve got to focus on ourselves. We need to pick up points and not focus on what teams are doing in and around us.”
South London Sport podcast host Louis Mendez asked Jones why the display was so improved from Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom.
“I’m not too sure,” said the centre-back. “We were more aggressive and better on the ball. That gave us a foothold in the game. We came out on top with our duels. I don’t know if it was to do with playing at home.”
Jones kept Kieffer Moore quiet.
“He’s a big bloke…I felt a bit small next to him,” he said. “I thought I did okay. I really enjoy the challenges of playing against the best strikers in the league. I always try to come out on top.”
If you want any more reaction to the Wrexham match then we’ve got you covered with the post-match pod, quotes from Nathan Jones and my take on some costly misses.
DOBSON SIGNED NEW DEAL BEFORE VALLEY RETURN
George Dobson extended his contract at Wrexham just days before heading back to face Charlton Athletic.
The midfielder, 28, made 144 appearances for the Addicks before leaving on a free transfer in 2024.
Dobson’s new terms run until the summer of 2028.
He started in Wrexham’s 1-0 victory over Charlton in SE7 on Saturday.
“I loved it here - it is an incredible football club with an incredible stadium,” said Dobson. “I absolutely loved my few years here. It brings back amazing memories, it really does.”
Dobson’s father is still a regular attending Addicks matches.
“He’s basically a Charlton fan,” said Dobson. “He still loves it! We had a really close connection with the football club as a family. That still hasn’t changed.
“We (Wrexham) knew it was going to be a real challenge. They put a lot of balls into the box and we knew we’d have to stand strong defensively at times. It shows the character of the group to be able to block and head things away. Arthur (Okonkwo) produced a fantastic save at the end to get us three points.”
ANTONIO: MY EGO WAS DENTED BY TRAINING REQUESTS
Michail Antonio has talked about needing to “swallow his ego” after leaving West Ham United - with Charlton one of a number of clubs to ask the striker to train with them as they weighed up a contract offer.
The 35-year-old has signed for Qatari side Al‑Sailiya.
Antonio suffered injury setbacks during trials at Brentford and Leicester City. His next stop after the Foxes was Charlton.
Nathan Jones confirmed to this website on Thursday that a deal would not be happening.
Antonio is West Ham’s all-time Premier League top goalscorer but has not played since a serious car crash in December 2024.
Picture: Alamy
He told BBC Sport: “I’ve still got the qualities I had in the Premier League for the past 10 years. It shows, because every single manager was putting a contract in front of me once I trained with them.
“But there were managers and clubs who refused to look at me because of what happened - the accident, the injury. Some owners went against it. In football, the manager can want you, but it’s the owner’s money.
“My agent kept calling clubs, and the same thing happened - clubs wanted me to train first. With the ego I had, I said ‘I’m not coming to train. You’ve seen me play with Jamaica, you’ve seen my past 10 years. I shouldn’t have to train to get a contract.’ Clubs said ‘if you don’t train, we won’t sign you’.
“After staying at West Ham, training with the U21s and going away with Jamaica again, my agent said ‘you’re going to have to train, prove your fitness.’
“I had to swallow my ego - that’s how I ended up at Brentford. I trained with them for two weeks.
“When I found out I’d torn my calf the day before signing for Brentford, I laid in bed for two days.
“First day, I was just crying. The second day, I just didn’t want to get out of bed. I thought ‘I’m back where I want to be, I’m back in the Premier League’. And then it happened again with Leicester.
“I was meant to return to Leicester but they didn’t want me back in because they didn’t want a relapse on their books. So I trained alone for a week and then went into Charlton.”
Sam Washington-Amoah celebrates scoring in the FA Youth Cup this season at Watford/Picture: Kyle Andrews
PLAY IT AGAIN SAM
Charlton Athletic midfield prospect Sam Washington-Amoah has signed his first professional deal.
The teenager has been with the Addicks since U15 level.
“I’m buzzing to have signed a professional contract at the club,” said Washington-Amoah. “I joined at U15s after playing in a Valley Gold tournament for Charlton and I’ve really enjoyed it here. It’s been really exciting and I’ve blended in really well with my team-mates.
“I’ve seen lots of first-team players come through the academy and there is a pathway, so I know if I do what I need to do I can get there.”
Interim academy director Steve Avory added: “He hasn’t been in the system long, but he’s shown some very good progress. He’s a midfield player who can play box-to-box and in a deeper role as well.
“He has been making the transition to the U21s and looks comfortable in that group too.”
KASSAM STADIUM TICKETS IN DEMAND
The Addicks have sold out their allocation for this month’s Championship match at Oxford United.
Charlton will have 1,450 in attendance at the league fixture on March 14.
The club’s last visit there was a 2-1 loss in August 2023. Alfie May scored in between a Tyler Goodrham brace.
Picture: Charlton Athletic FC
GOUGH AND FULLAH GET SHIRTY
Academy products Keenan Gough and Ibby Fullah were presented with framed shirts to mark their first league starts for Charlton Athletic.
Fullah, 18, started in the 1-0 loss at Wrexham in early November.
Gough, 19, played the full 90 minutes in the Boxing Day defeat against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
“Keenan joined us at U9 level and Ibby joined us at U10, so they have gone from foundation phase right the way through,” said academy interim boss Steve Avory. “Both have been on long journeys which is something we’re even prouder of when that culminates in a first-team appearance.”
First-team boss Nathan Jones said: “This club has a wonderful tradition of producing and we want to keep producing players to get into our first team, for all the right reasons.
“It’s not just talent. It’s the way they are as athletes and human beings. Having that humility and diligence in everything they do. That is why they get their opportunity.”
MORE VALLEY IMPROVEMENTS SET TO BE CARRIED OUT THIS SUMMER
Charlton have announced that they will be installing new dugouts as part of their summer upgrades at The Valley.
There will also be changes to some of the seating areas in the West Stand.
“Like the floodlights installed this season, we now need to install new dugouts to meet EFL regulations,” said Ed Warrick, the club’s chief financial and operations officer. “We’re also looking to update our hospitality offering, which includes organising the seating areas more appropriately in the West Stand, and these two projects will form a key part of our summer work.
“Over the past few summers, with the backing of the club’s ownership, we’ve been able to make significant improvements - a new pitch, safe standing areas, refreshed club offices and tunnel areas, new floodlight upgrades, new maintenance and groundskeeping equipment, perimeter advertising boards, the new big screen and the installation of handrails in the Alan Curbishley Stand.
“Altogether, this represents over £3million worth of investment in The Valley, and of course alongside this we extended our lease up until June 2040.”