'Second yellow for QPR defender changes the dynamics of the game'
Charlton Athletic boss Jones bemused by referee's call not to dismiss Mbengue but also criticises his side's 'powderpuff' set-pieces
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones questioned referee Andrew Kitchen’s decision not to send off QPR defender Amadou Mbengue in today’s 3-1 loss at Loftus Road.
The centre-back had already been booked in the second half for a foul on Miles Leaburn and then brought down substitute Charlie Kelman just outside the penalty area.
But Mbengue stayed on the pitch and then played a part in the move which saw Koki Saito put Rangers back in front for the second time in the derby.
Jones made a beeline for the officials at the full-time whistle.
He said: “Kelman goes down, which is the second booking. It wasn’t given because apparently it wasn’t a promising attack - even though it is right on the edge of the 18-yard box. So I don’t know how much more promising you have to get than that. It is a categorical yellow card.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
“It’s a simple one, really. He (Kelman) has got beyond his man. He has pulled him down. It is a borderline penalty. He is beyond him….he’s scythed him down. The only reason he did not get a yellow card is because he already received one. I know that and I think everybody in the ground knows that.
“It’s just disappointing that this is one of the best leagues in Europe and little decisions like that go against you. It’s very difficult for me to say what I really feel because I will get myself in real trouble.
“If that is a second yellow it changes the dynamic of the game.
“There is a big decision that goes against us that you expect people to get right. Mbengue won the ball off TC (Tyreece Campbell) and gave it to their player and he scored. So it had a big impact on the game.”
QPR came into the fixture off the back of a 7-1 thrashing at Coventry City.
But the west Londoners started brightly and took an eighth-minute lead through former Charton winger Paul Smyth. He converted Harvey Vale’s cross after a clever dummy by Richard Kone.
Miles Leaburn struck the crossbar from close range in the 27th minute.
Picture: Kyle Andrews
Rob Apter equalised in the 54th minute from Campbell’s cross. The summer signing’s strike skipped up off the turf and deceived the QPR defence and goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
“We were right in the game - it is just about moments,” said Jones, when assessing Charlton’s second successive league loss. “We didn’t start particularly well and we allowed them to score from a counter-attack from turning the ball over. Then we get ourselves back in it, have opportunities and hit the bar.
“We had a lot of set-plays in and around their final third which we were weak and powderpuff - we gave the ball to their keeper or put it behind. Those are the moments we have to take.
“Again we have turned the ball over in the middle of the park and they have scored from a counter-attack. That’s the only way I really saw them scoring today, was from that.
“So there is a lesson to be learned there. One that it is a quality league - they have individuals who can hurt you. And at the moment we are only getting done on the counter attack.
“The third goal is by-the-by, because we are trying to chase and get in.
“It was a game of moments that we didn’t handle well enough.
“Credit to their manager - they went against everything they had done through the first three games of the season. They were very direct and didn’t risk possession. They sat off and had a 4-4-2. We didn’t show enough quality to break them down. We controlled the game after probably the first 10 minutes.
“I wanted us to start the second half really well. We were okay and then got the goal. We need to demonstrate more quality in moments. We were in the ascendency but then when we had opportunities they committed fouls. We had corners and set-plays but didn’t take advantage of them. We didn't put the ball in areas to score.
“That is when you need that killer instinct to go on and take it.”
Charlton are not back in action until September 13 due to the international break.
After the latest round of results they have dropped to 16th in the standings, collecting four points from as many matches.
“We’ve had a look at the league and settled quite comfortably, in terms of our performance and how we have gone about it,” said Jones.
“We are learning that if you don’t punish teams they will punish you. We had 20 shots against Leicester and they scored a world-class goal to beat us. If we don’t defend and be the best versions of ourselves then we are going to get punished.
“It is a learning curve and we need to learn quickly.”
Picture: Kyle Andrews
The summer transfer window closes on Monday at 7pm.
Charlton have made nine signings and Jones told this website last week that he wants to still add another wing-back before the deadline passes.
“We are looking to strengthen the squad,” the Welshman said today in his post-match press conference. “It won’t be a couple more. It will probably be one. But it is just that one that we need - we need to make sure we get it right.
“We have a good squad. We’re weak in one area that we have to address. But we have tried to address that for the last seven or eight months, if I’m honest.
“It’s probably just a little bit more quality we need, because we’re in games. But in the moments that we get, we have to be better. And that will come.”
He won the ball for the second right? If TC just falls over it’s a foul… some really worrying things heard from the away end… really close to crossing the line from where I was… always has to be one or two idiots. Not getting anything off officials currently
The reaction from the fans in general to this game is very unfair on both certain players and manager. We’ve played four games and arguably been the better team for 80% of the minutes we’ve played, we’ve just lacked that edge and experience in front of goal to get our just-rewards.
I can’t help but think the removal of Apter in these games is a ploy to get a budget increase to secure another option before the deadline on Monday.
Campbell’s inexperience at the level is telling, especially in his final decision making, gets himself into great spots, but that knack to go down with a nudge in the back or getting off a shot earlier etc could be the difference between bang and bust for all 3 points.
Overall, we look good on and off the ball, a bit sloppy to start the game today, but we were the team that looked like we’d get the three points in my opinion. Of course 4/12 points is tough to take but it could’ve easily been us with 9/12 points going into the break. Definitely not all doom and gloom.