Charlton Athletic boss praises defensive excellence in 1-1 draw against Rotherham United

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones praised the defensive quality of his side after today’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham United – pointing out that opponents are only scoring with long-distance finishes.

The Millers went ahead through Liam Kelly’s excellent strike from the edge of the box in the 58th minute – just as the hosts were primed to bring on Chuks Aneke and Tyreece Campbell.

Jones ended up turning it into a triple switch as Luton loanee Allan Campbell was also handed his debut with Luke Berry, Gassan Ahadme and Matty Godden making way.

Scottish midfielder Campbell marked his first appearance for the South Londoners with the assist for Aneke’s goal. But the big striker still had plenty to do as he took a touch on the pass and then whipped a right-footed attempt past former Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips and into the top corner.

“There is a tinge of disappointment,” said Jones. “At times it was brutal – in terms of the tempo of the game. Everything is a restart, so it’s difficult to create a really good fluency in the game.

“We tried to do that but we didn’t show enough composure in the overall game to do that.

“It is a really hard-fought point. We showed good character to come back from conceding. Look, the only time we look like conceding is when someone shoots from 30 yards. Apart from that we’re as good a defensive side as there is at nullifying an attack. What we have to do is learn from that.

“We have to make sure we block shots, that’s the simple thing. But if that is the only way you’re conceding chances, sooner or later I’m not sure there are that many good strikers of a football that you keep conceding from them. But we have to get better and get to the ball quicker – block shots. Anything from 20 to 30 yards, that’s the only real time teams are scoring against us.

“We can’t just turn around and say it is a good strike because I’m not going to accept that because we do so much work defensively and we are looking a very good defensive side, we’re not leaking chances and no-one is missing glorious chances against us.

“We’re nullifying pretty much everyone’s attacks. But we just have to finish that off.

“It was a very difficult game in terms of generating any kind of quality and rhythm. Because everything was a restart and the restart normally took a minute – it takes away flow from the game. It was categorically different to the Bolton game. Ten points from five games – that is not a bad place to be.

“Bolton was a different game. They want to play and you can press them. These didn’t try to play – they go into front and get on seconds. They have sporadic attacks where you have to win the first and get on the second. That is a real 50-50 game – anything can happen. The [Jordan] Hugill chance for example – it was a throw-in, they flick it down, someone touches it and they shoot from 30 yards. If that is a chance then it is very difficult to stop everything.

“It’s a wonderful strike (by Aneke). But he gives us that. That is why he is the player he is. We’re getting a bit more out of him and TC was a threat – his pace and power. We’ve got good options.”

Summer signing Ahadme blazed an early chance off target while Aneke headed a Tyreece Campbell cross wide at the back post.

Jones said: “We really should have been better and had more composure today – especially in the final third and our passing. People were panicking and clearing it when they could take a touch and play our structure. That is what we said – take the brutality and carnage out of the game. We didn’t do that well enough today.

“Gass had a really good chance first half – six yards out and he has just got to hit the target. He knocked a great one down for Berry, who blazed. It was that little bit of composure. TC came on and we had so many situations where we should’ve done better. That is just composure and work. We’ll evaluate that because it is a side that needs to get better.

“We’re building. We’ve gone from a side that were 19th to one in the top six – two points per game at the minute, which is a very good haul. And we’ve had a tough start – some good sides there. Rotherham will be up there. Bolton will be up there. Reading are a good side. Wigan fancy themselves to be up there. So it hasn’t been an easy start.

“It’s a disappointing day today because of some of the performance levels but it’s another point.”

Jones said it was “brave” that Charlton chose to play the match despite three international call-ups – Kaheim Dixon, Karoy Anderson and Daniel Kanu – with Miles Leaburn and Josh Edwards both injured.

“Allan is not fully up to speed,” said Jones. “We’ve got six potential starters there that weren’t really up to speed or couldn’t play. It shows we’ve got a decent squad.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD