Clean sheet is a big plus for Charlton Athletic defender Lloyd Jones

Lloyd Jones savoured Charlton Athletic keeping only a second home clean sheet of the season in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Reading.

The 28-year-old centre-back, signed on a free transfer after leaving Cambridge United in the summer, has been an ever-present starter in the league for the South Londoners.

The Addicks have kept three shut outs in the 2023-24 but their last one in SE7 before the weekend was the 1-0 opening day win over Orient.

“It’s something we haven’t had a lot of this season and it feels really good to keep it,” said Jones. “We need to keep more. We’ve been conceding a goal and then been relying on our attackers.

“As the season goes on we are keeping the same formation and way of playing. When you keep chopping and changing partners it can be a bit difficult. The more you play with someone, you get to know what they are good at – what their strengths are. It does help.

“I’ve loved every minute (of being at Charlton) although I’d like to be a bit higher in the league. I found it difficult in the first couple of games to get going. I didn’t think I was playing badly, but I knew I had a bit more to offer. I’m fit now and the last few games I’ve probably felt as good as I have. I’ve got good players around me and it makes it a lot easier.

“We pride ourselves on clean sheets and being as solid as we can. But if we get to win a game 4-1 or 3-1 then I’ll take that over a 0-0.”

Charlton are 10th in the League One table after a six-game unbeaten run.

“The fans expect us to be up there and with the team we’ve got I expect us to be up there,” said Jones. “Obviously there is more pressure (in terms of expectations compared to Cambridge). The stadium speak for itself and there is a pressure to win every week.

“I didn’t have that as much last year – I did for the last 10 games because we were right down there. Pressure is something I really relish and like.

“The start of the season was disappointing but I think we were in most of the games apart from maybe one half at Oxford and Peterborough, we weren’t at our best. It has just been individual errors which have cost us. We scored four goals against a decent side today (Saturday) – they gave us a good game. We are definitely looking up.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS