Nathan Jones: That is an outstanding week of results for Charlton Athletic
Welshman delighted with Hull City point straight after big exertions at Ipswich Town
Nathan Jones praised his players after they drew 1-1 at Hull City to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to three matches - making it clear he was more than happy with their points return from a busy fixture period.
Substitute Luke Berry’s goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time earned the Addicks a share of the spoils on Humberside.
It wiped out Joe Gelhardt’s 46th-minute goal which punished Macaulay Gillesphey for losing the ball on the edge of his own penalty area.
Berry’s first league goal of the campaign ensured that the south London club followed up their fine 3-0 win in midweek at Ipswich Town with a positive result.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Charlton are sixth in the table and now have three of their next four matches at home, starting with Saturday’s fixture against Swansea City.
“Seven points in the Championship, against any team, is an excellent return,” said Jones. “We’re very proud of that.
“To beat Sheffield Wednesday, to beat Ipswich Town on the road and to draw with a flying Hull - that ain’t just solid. That is an outstanding week, considering where we have come from.
“If you have seven-point weeks regularly in the Championship then there is only one place you are going. I’m delighted.
“We’ve had to dig in today. We make a big error to allow them to open the scoring, because without that I fancy us to keep a clean sheet again.
“Then we’ve had to show real character. We’ve had to utilise the squad and it is a wonderful goal. It is a great delivery and Luke Berry doing what he does.
“And let’s not take this in isolation, in terms of a point. Coming away in the Championship, any point or win is good. These are in excellent form and well coached. They caused us problems in how they built play.”
Jones brought on Southampton loanee James Bree and Berry in the second half. It was the former’s corner which was forced home at close range.
Asked about Berry being a game-changer who has done that plenty of times before for the Welshman, Jones responded: “They both have. That’s why they are here.
“Sometimes I’m a bit animated when people question players who were Luton players (that he worked with). They aren’t Luton players. They are my players. Luke Berry is my player. James Bree is my player. I signed them for that football club. So they played for Luton, but they are my players.
“So when James Bree does exactly what I know he can do - he is the best at it - and Luke Berry does exactly the same, then it is no surprise for me. It is zero surprise that they do that.
“Curtis [Fleming, assistant boss] said: ‘It’s a game for Bez today’. I said: ‘Yeah, you’re right’ and we put him on. I’ve had to use my staff and everything today.
“Charlie [Kelman] was a threat again. Onel [Hernandez] has had to be patient [waiting for his debut]. Even Rob Apter and Knibbsy (Harvey Knibbs) getting minutes was good.”
Jones made four changes to the team which started at Ipswich Town.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
There were starts for Apter, Knibbs, Miles Leaburn and Tyreece Campbell with Conor Coventry, Isaac Olaofe, Charlie Kelman and Bree benched.
“That third game in a week you are a bit flat,” said Jones. “We were flat at Preston because I went, pretty much, with the same 11. We were far more energetic today. We started like a house on fire and had three really good chances. I’d have liked Tyreece Campbell to score but, to be fair, the keeper makes a great save.
“Then it is an even game. It was going to take a moment of quality or a big mistake. It is a good finish by Gelhardt, but it came from our own centre-half trying to do stuff which we don’t encourage centre-halves to do.
“We tweaked certain stuff but then to score from a set-play, which we work religiously on, is really good.
“It was a moment where we think ‘do we keep Lloyd [Jones] up and go for a winner?’ These are a good team - [Ryan] Giles has the most assists in the division, Gelhardt is excellent and they brought on [Liam] Millar, who is a good player. Regan Slater is in good form.
“If we can have seven points from our next three games I will take that now.”
Jones is happy to be back at The Valley next.
The 1-0 win at Sheffield United on September 20 has seen the League One play-off winners face five away matches out of seven, culminating with the trip to Hull City.
“We can have a go at the EFL but it is just the way it is,” said Jones. “I just feel, especially for a side like us, we want to build momentum by going home-away and then home-away. Because when you have a great away performance you really want to back that up then.
“For us, who are new to the league, to keep putting in those levels when you are away all the time takes a lot. We’ve had to do it a couple of weeks ago when we’ve had to go to Derby and then Preston. We’ve had to do it again.
“Whatever is put in front of us, we’re honest enough to go at it and that is why I’m proud of the group.”
Solid interview that
The team were obviously tired and that’s when mistakes happen, but you can forgive them anything because they never stop working so hard. It’s early days, but in Nathan Jones, he could well be the next manager to have a stand named after him!!