Charlton Athletic boss left frustrated at lack of end product in 3-0 loss to Peterborough

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones was left frustrated by his side not being able to make more of their attacking moments in today’s 3-0 defeat at Peterborough United.

The Addicks came into the fixture on a six-game unbeaten run – winning five of those – but their poor league record at the Weston Homes Stadium continued. This loss means that Charlton have not won there in that competition since November 2010.

The latest meeting was an open affair but that suited Peterborough more as they hurt their opponents time and again on transition moments.

Posh’s opening goal on 38 minutes came after Charlton keeper Will Mannion was penalised for picking up Kayne Ramsay’s backpass. While the resulting free-kick, just six yards out, was scrambled out of the box it was then clipped back in by Kwame Poku for captain Sam Hughes to head in.

Former Charlton youngster Abraham Odoh added a second just before the interval. This time the visitors were caught on the counter from their own corner. Malik Mothersille fed Odoh on the left of the box, he took some touches before finishing right footed across Mannion.

Mothersille was the most impressive player on the pitch and the Croydon-born attacker added a killer third for the home team with 11 minutes remaining.

His deft flick on the edge of the box was then fed back across by substitute Cian Hayes for the Peterborough number seven to round off the scoring.

“They have a front four who can hurt you but we’ve had 25 shots today and not scored despite the amount of crosses, territory and set-pieces we’ve had,” said Jones. “That shows it is a lack of quality from us.

“When we were on top we didn’t score and we gifted them the first goal. They are a real threat in the transition and we didn’t defend that well enough.

“It was a too open game for us, because that is how they want to play. When we had our opportunies we didn’t punish them. We didn’t keep them true and honest, in how they do it. We played Crawley the other day who leave people out, give up big chances and hope they catch you on the counter – these are similar in terms of that. They were better than us in terms of being more clinical.

“We didn’t show enough quality. First half we showed it and had enough opportunities without really getting outcomes, making the keeper save. We got in behind them. We should have made more of a mark on the game but we looked open defensively when we turned the ball over.

“They are very, very good because that is as good a front four as anyone in the league. Where they are in the league means they probably aren’t like that week in and week out. But they are a well-coached side with real threats. Today we didn’t show enough quality to punish them and when they had the opportunities they did.”

Jones was left unhappy at the decision-making that led to the opening goal.

“It is a back pass – it was the correct decision by the referee,” said the Welshman. “We have just got to clear it and defend the box – then it’s no problem.

“Then from the corner they leave three up, we weren’t aggressive on the first ball and then they get in. It is stuff we work on. When you go to sleep against these they can carve you open because they have really good players.

“We didn’t handle that and show enough quality in the final third. It’s all about us, really. I can look at them and give them credit for how their attacking players played but we needed to be better from an attacking viewpoint.”

Charlton need to regroup for next weekend’s home game against Huddersfield.

“You are going to have it (setbacks) because we ask them to be bold and brave – we go after teams – and sometimes you get punched on the nose,” said Jones. “It is how you react and we have reacted very well.

“We have eight games to go and it is going to be a really tight run-in.”