Charlton Athletic bank first point of Nathan Jones’ reign as survival fight enters a tough phase

Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Lincoln City was, from a Charlton viewpoint, all about your outlook.

Freddie Ladapo’s clinical strike in the 73rd minute put a first point on the board for new Addicks manager Nathan Jones and ensured he did not start off his tenure at The Valley with a loss.

It was no suprise that the Welshman was brimming with enthusiasm, confidence and praise for his players after a strong second-half showing against the Imps.

Jones is a positive character. And that is exactly what this Charlton Athletic side – bruised and battered by setback after setback – need at the moment.

You get the impression that if his car suffered a puncture, the former Luton Town, Stoke City and Southampton boss would view replacing the tyre himself as a chance for some extra cardio.

Glass half-empty or half-full? First of all let’s take a moment to admire just how nice a glass that is.

The message from Jones, coming across loud and clear, is that the South Londoners cannot afford, nor will it help, to feel sorry for themselves about the pickle they find themselves in.

And it still most definitely is a troublesome predicament.

Charlton have not won for 16 matches in all competitions and 14 of those are in League One, their worst run since the 2008-09 season when they were relegated to England’s third tier for the first time since 1980.

They are just above the bottom four trapdoor with Port Vale and Cheltenham Town, the two clubs directly below, having three and two matches in hand respectively.

Any frazzled nerves will not be eased by looking at the remaining fixtures this month – the current top three. First up is third-placed Bolton tomorrow with Wanderers boasting the best home record in the division.

After that comes table-topping Portsmouth at home – although Charlton have tended to be a bogey side for the South Coast outfit – and then a midweek assignment at Derby County.

Anything gleaned out of that run will be a bonus.

Fifty points is often mentioned as the magical total needed to secure safety. That has been enough for seven of the last 10 completed League One seasons – the 2019-20 did not finish due to the Covid-19 pandemic – with the most required being 51 on three occasions.

Working off reaching a half century means that Charlton require 18 points from their remaining 14 matches, an average of 1.28 points per game.

They lost four of their first five League One fixtures – leading to the dismissal of Dean Holden – but then between September 2 and November 28, their last victory against Cheltenham, they banked 23 points from 13 matches, an average of 1.76 points per game.

So it’s not like they haven’t shown – even if it feels a lifetime ago – that they are capable.

One thing which is in Charlton’s favour is that their goal difference is significantly better than some of the others scrabbling for survival.

Barring the division’s top six the Addicks have outscored every club aside from Wigan, Blackpool and Stevenage.

Charlton have heavy artillery, particularly so with Chuks Aneke returning in midweek after missing the last 19 games with a hamstring injury.

The Addicks have not lost any of the seven league matches Aneke has played this season – winning three – and the ability of Dr Will Abbott, brought in from Brighton and appointed director of performance services in late November, to keep Aneke available to Jones will be of the utmost priority.

The supporters know the big frontman’s importance to their cause too, reacting very positively when he was brought on in the 64th minute.

Aneke unsettles defences with his power and physicality. And the supersub reputation he had prior to even his first spell with Charlton underlines how he does not need to be on a pitch for long to make pivotal interventions.

His strength was key in his team retaining the ball in the lead-up to Ladapo’s goal, the former Crystal Palace striker taking over possession and then finishing sweetly across Lukas Jensen from the edge of the penalty area.

Jones was right to point out that the goals conceded since he took on the job have been brutal. Femi Azeez produced two superb strikes in the 2-0 loss at Reading on Saturday while the finish from ex-Charlton academy product Reeco Hackett for Lincoln, reacting quickest to George Dobson’s clearing header, was none too shabby either.

The Imps hit the post through Danny Mandroiu but finished with an xG of just 0.16.

What Jones got in abundance was energy and application – two core ingredients which took his Luton teams so far – even if there wasn’t much quality.

That determinaton to be front-footed saw him not even name Conor Coventry and Louie Watson in his matchday 18 with Karoy Anderson and George Dobson replacing the pair.

Dobson, who had seen a transfer to Hungarian side Fehervar blocked by Charlton over the weekend, predictably did not allow any of the external noise to take him out of his stride.

Ladapo’s finish might have got home fans out of their seats but equally crucial was the skipper’s lung-burning covering run to tackle Joe Taylor in the box as he looked to close in on Harry Isted’s goal.

Charlton have now gone 20 league matches without keeping a clean sheet and have conceded 35 times since they shut out Reading in a 4-0 home victory on October 21.

Tightening up has to be a priority because while they have lost the pace, penetration and creativity of Corey Blackett-Taylor, sold to Derby last month, they can still call upon Alfie May, Aneke and Ladapo – who are proven matchwinners at the level.

STAR MAN
Lloyd Jones. Solid.

BEST MOMENT
Ladapo’s goal. Opened his account for the Addicks in style.

MAIN PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD