Charlton boss on why formation choice or confidence were not a factor in Bristol Rovers defeat

Nathan Jones has dismissed any suggestion that a lack of confidence played a part in Charlton Athletic’s 3-2 loss at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

The Gas ended a run of four straight League One reverses as they made it a hat-trick of defeats for their South London opponents.

Alex Mitchell and Matty Godden scored in the closing stages to add more respectability to the final scoreline.

But Jones was quick to blame himself afterwards, with Rovers going 3-0 ahead early in the second half.

Charlton’s players looked tentative and struggled to put the hosts on the back foot from the start – at a time when their poor run of form was liable to make them vulnerable. Instead the reverse seemed to be the case.

“There were a number of factors to it,” Jones told the South London Press. “We didn’t win our individual battles for a start, which allowed Bristol to get a foothold in the game.

“We like to start well. There was a big wind, so it was difficult to get out of our half at times. They started very well and we didn’t really combat that. I wouldn’t say it was a lack of confidence. We moved the ball very well and moved it into areas where we didn’t capitalise.

“We created more chances, more shots on goal, corners and more possession. I’m not sure that’s a lack of confidence.

“What it is that we’re used to defending our box very well. We didn’t do that – someone had a free header at the back stick. Then they score two from outside the box, which, for us, is not really closing the ball down with enough intensity. We have spoken about that because it’s happened to us on a few occasions this season.

“In terms of moving the ball well enough, getting into areas and the final third, we did that. But once we got there, we didn’t capitalise.

“We had enough chances – we scored two. We had one headed off the line. Lloyd (Jones) had a glorious chance just before half-time. We had a number of shots and a load of corners late on.

“With a real performance, we could have had something out of the game, but we don’t look at it like that.

“Performance-wise, we didn’t have a Charlton performance where we were front-footed, nullified them and ran beyond them. We didn’t do that. We allowed them to do that and get a real foothold in the game. That’s what cost us.”

Jones said post-match that he got it “tactically wrong”. So did he mean that in terms of the team selection or formation?

“One or two little things,” he said. “That team is good enough to win any game in the division. Maybe I took it a bit too much and maybe others should have taken responsibility, but I’m the manager and we have had two sort of average performances.

“They haven’t been horrific. We lost by the odd goal to a good Blackpool side and we had the best chances against Stevenage – it could have gone either way and it’s a difficult place to go.

“We were poor the other night and we’re a mile off where we want to be. I demand from them, drive them and I got a lot of accolades for how we turned it round last year, so I’m in the same position. I didn’t get them to play in the way they should have the other night – that’s down on me.

“I don’t think there is anything to do with the shape – they played the same shape as us so it was man-for-man.

“They were in a tough spot, and we’re higher in the league than they are. Player for player, I’m confident in my team, we just didn’t perform on the night.

“I look at myself firstly and don’t just say: ‘It was your fault, your fault and your fault.’

“I felt like I could have been better the other night with certain things. I’ll learn from that.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS