'Moment of madness has cost us a point - we had three players who put their bodies on the line due to either injury or illness'
Charlton boss Nathan Jones on 1-0 loss to Wrexham and quizzed why Rob Apter and Miles Leaburn did not feature
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones praised Lloyd Jones, Kayne Ramsay and James Bree for making themselves available despite either illness or injury for today’s 1-0 defeat at Wrexham.
Josh Windass scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 77th minute after Onel Hernandez handled a cross from the left wing by James McClean with his right hand.
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo saved in the first half from Sonny Carey and James Bree. He also tipped over Luke Berry’s header in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Harvey Knibbs also struck the top of the crossbar in the 36th minute after Isaac Olaofe’s shot was blocked.
“It’s a moment of madness that has cost us at least a point,” said Jones. “Look, he is not a full-back - we are stretched to the absolute limit at the minute. That is why he has had to come on and play there. It is not his fault, he is in a false position for him.
“We have to stomach it. It was a tight margin game.
“It is a great chance (for Knibbs). He is a wonderful finisher. The keeper has, I think, got a touch on it. Then the keeper made a wonderful save from Berry late on.”
Vice-captain Lloyd Jones disembarked from the team coach wearing a face mask.
“Lloyd, Bree and Kayne Ramsay in a normal world wouldn’t have played today because of illness and injury,” said the Addicks boss. “They have gone through the barrier, really, for the club and for us - not everyone does that. But they have.
“Bree can’t take a set-play. He’s one of the best in the league at taking set-plays and he can’t take one because of his groin. He is playing through an injury. Lloyd and Kayne had sickness and illness for the last two to three days. They have absolutely put in a shift.
“They were running on empty. Lloyd was sick this morning and had a temperature - Kayne has been like that for days. If we hadn’t been playing up against Kieffer Moore today then he (Jones) wouldn’t have played. He (Moore) is the best in the league for aerial duels, so we knew they would use that quite a lot. We had to play him. He is a warrior - Kayne is exactly the same. He is making recovery tackles late on when he shouldn’t be playing.
“We could normally have played Raptor (Rob Apter) there (in Bree’s role) but then we’d only have been left with two or three defenders. We have lost [Reece] Burke (to a foot injury in the Swansea fixture). Realistically if we play TC and Apter then you are going into the game with three defenders and two of those shouldn’t be playing because of illness - you’re asking for trouble.
“We are stretched to the absolute maximum. We’ve come here twice and been depleted with injuries. It seems this place is jinxed.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
“It was a tight game. We had a lot of good chances in the first half. We still had a chance late on - [Luke] Berry has got a wonderful header and the keeper has made a wonderful save.
“I can’t ask any more from the group. We just had to get to the international break. Once we did it is two weeks of respite. We’ll clear the building and give them that time. Hopefully we can start getting a few back. We’re good in most areas, it is just probably defensively that we’re a bit light.”
Charlton striker Miles Leaburn - the only recognised forward on the bench - did not feature.
Charlie Kelman (hamstring) and Matty Godden (knee) were both unavailable. The latter has not played since last season’s League One play-off final.
Asked about Leaburn not coming on, Jones replied curtly: “Let’s not talk about that.”
Asked again later in the press conference whether it was an injury or something else, the Welshman responded: “It’s an injury.”
Jones handed a first Championship start to Ibby Fullah. The 18-year-old was booked in the eighth minute for a foul on Issa Kabore.
“Tough for him,” said Jones. “He’s a kid who is going to have a wonderful future. He gave everything. Striking options we lose Godden, we lose Kelman and we lose Miles. We have got one striker and then we play Ibby in an advanced position because of what he creates.”