Charlton Athletic boss on ‘no fear’ of facing Birmingham City, formation switch and ‘truly wonderful’ Daniel Kanu
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones said his side had “no fear” about facing Birmingham City before they ended their opponent’s seven-game winning run in League One.
The Blues are still top of the standings in England’s third tier but Matty Godden’s smooth conversion of Josh Edwards’ long throw had them tasting defeat in the competition for the first time.
With Charlton having lost their three fixtures before they took on the Midlands club, who have spent huge sums in the summer transfer window, the bookies had the hosts as distinct underdogs.
“I have no idea what other clubs go into games with but, with the greatest respect, I was in the relegation zone in the Premier League and went up against Manchester City, pressed the life out of Man City,” said Jones, who had a very brief spell managing in the top flight at Southampton. “So doing that in League One, I have experience of that which has helped me.
“We had no fear today and that showed in the performance. It’s not us getting euphoric and jumping around. They are a very good side. You finish on level points with Birmingham and you’ll be a Championship side next year.”
Jones switched to a four-man defence and a ‘box’ midfield.
He also made five changes from the team which were defeated 3-2 at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
“We want to be dominant and it’s about giving them tools,” said Jones. “Birmingham are very centrally dominant – they pack the midfield and they play through you. They cause you problems and it’s almost impossible to press them.
“But if you do it right and be bold, which we were. We went with the four central midfield players to really go after them. When they drop another one in we went three-v-three at the back.
“It takes some team to implement that and today we implemented that.”
Jones also had praise for youngster Daniel Kanu.
The striker started with Gassan Ahadme, who suffered a chest injury at Bristol Rovers, not in the matchday squad.
Kanu had a great chance when he intercepted Willum Willumsson’s backpass, going around Birmingham keeper Ryan Allsop, but then could only send the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle when Karoy Anderson was unmarked.
The academy product also was gifted the ball by Allsop inside the area but his first touch allowed a relieved Allsop to snuff out the self-induced danger.
“If you have seen this kid play – he is 19 and came through the academy,” said Jones. “That is what we have – TC (Tyreece Campbell) and Karoy Anderson. These are young kids that have come through the academy, who are fearless and truly outstanding. Zach Mitchell was really close to being involved today and even starting.
“That’s what we have got. We are different to Birmingham – they spent £15-20million on their strikers. We’ve got Daniel Kanu. He has missed a chance today. I could’ve headlocked him at the time, but he is such a great kid. His work-rate and what he does – truly, truly wonderful. And he’s still learning because he is 19 years of age.
“It would’ve been so easy to come in (at half-time) and be like ‘have we missed our chance there against a wonderful football side?’ Bearing in mind they score in every game, pretty much. To have that level of performance and belief – no, we can go out and replicate that first half performance – and we did.”
PICTURES: PAUL EDWARDS