'We have proved we can compete at Championship level'

Charlton Athletic boss Jones full of praise for his side's performance as they match last season's play-off semi-finalists at Ashton Gate

Nathan Jones felt Charlton Athletic’s 0-0 draw at Bristol City this afternoon proves his side can mix it in the Championship.

The Addicks followed up their 1-0 win on the opening day of the campaign against Watford with a stalemate at Ashton Gate.

Charlton edged the xG against the hosts - 0.89 to 0.84 - with Radek Vitek making big saves from Rob Apter and also his own centre-back George Tanner, who nearly scored an own goal under pressure from Tyreece Campbell.

By contrast Thomas Kaminski had only one scare, Anis Mehmeti clipped the top of the crossbar, with his other stops entirely routine.

Charlton have not conceded in 527 minutes of league football - nearly nine hours - stretching back to last season.

Picture: Kyle Andrews

“It is a great point,” Addicks manager Jones (above) told BBC Radio London. “After the result they (Bristol City) had last weekend, beating Sheffield United
4-1, with the talent they have got, we were outstanding and defensively superb.

“I felt we were going to win it. I felt we were the side more likely to win it - apart from on the counter-attack, I couldn’t see them scoring or breaking us down. So it just shows we are in a good, good place.

“I’m really, really proud. We have come here and adapted to the Championship really, really quickly. That was an outstanding away performance.

“If I’m honest, it is hard for me to say in there (the dressing room) after the shift they have put in, but I’m a touch disappointed we didn’t get all three points.

“The energy levels, desire and physicality we showed - I loved watching us second half. You have to have that in the Championship. We had to do that and that is a credit to the staff and athletes we have, along with the way we work and the culture. That is not one person - it’s an environment and culture that drives that on.

“I was so proud of us because we have shown we can compete at Championship level now.

“You look at Scott Twine, Mehmeti and (Emil) Riis - high-profile and high-earning players that will score goals at Championship level. For us to face one shot on target is a truly outstanding defensive performance - it is a masterclass by them.

“The last 60 minutes we were truly outstanding.

“I know now we can play at Championship level. I’m never going to be overawed by the Championship - I’ve got a good record, personally. But my team is a Championship team.

Picture: Kyle Andrews

“We had someone question: ‘The club is ready, but the team isn’t ready for the Championship’. And that was someone who has managed in the Championship commenting on that. We are and we have recruited that way. I’m from a Welsh mining community - I’ve had to prove people wrong my whole life. Another one doesn’t make any difference.

“Our team got underestimated last year and anyone who did that got bitten.

“I’m not getting carried away. We’ve got a point at Ashton Gate but it shows we are ready. We are nowhere near the finished article.

“At the moment we’re gathering a little bit of momentum in the Championship but we have to evolve and get even better. Because I want us to be coming here and winning games. That’s no disrespect, this is a fantastic football club with well-coached players, but I felt we were comfortable.”

Jones’ assistant manager Curtis Fleming did the post-match written media press conference.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, especially after Bristol’s game last week,” said the Irishman. “First home game, we knew they would be cock-a-hoop - with a full house.

“In the Championship you are going to have to work your socks off, defend well and probably show a bit of quality when you get your opportunities. I didn’t think there was much in the game - it was a good Championship game.And for us that is great, because we are coming up from League One and they have been in the play-offs.

“We are gauging what we can and can’t do. We are really happy with the performance today.

“The save (by Vitek from Tanner) is world class. Those are the moments in the game. There were a few blocks we had, but his save was the defining moment of real, real quality. I don’t think we showed enough quality on the ball at times when we had opportunities but we grew into it a lot more in the second half.

“We know that every game is big. Even the press days and crowds, everything is a step up from League One. We deserved something out of the game and we’re still growing.”

Charlton are eighth in the early standings.

Asked whether the South Londoners would have taken four points from their opening two matches before a ball was kicked, Fleming said: “We have to look at the positives, like looking at our structure. And we’re still growing into the Championship environment.

“Some lads haven’t played in it at all - Josh Edwards was playing at Dunfermline 14 months ago. He has come here in front of a crowd of 25,000, a different quality of player, and acquitted himself very well.

“The four points are brilliant but we’ll be looking to go again - because we think we’ll get stronger as we go.

“The defensive record is down to the lads. We do our sessions and talk about structure but when you are getting those blocks in, that is not coachable. That is a willingness and real determination from the lads to stop the ball going in the net.

“We had a lot of clean sheets last season, I think it was 25. And to survive and do well in the Championship, you need to keep clean sheets. We are working on that.”

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