Charlton Athletic defender on ‘total team performance’ against Birmingham and his contractual situation

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Lloyd Jones has described Charlton’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City on Saturday as a “total team performance”.

Matty Godden’s second-half strike – his fourth goal of the season – ended the Blues’  seven-game winning streak in League One.

Birmingham, who have spent more than £20million in the summer transfer window, had 63 per cent possession but an expected goals (xG) of just 0.13, failing to muster a shot on target.

It was the perfect way for a Charlton side – stung by three successive losses – to respond with a morale-boosting result.

“It was a total team performance,” Addicks vice captain Jones told the South London Press.

“Tactically the manager got it spot on and we carried out the game plan perfectly.

“For a team like Birmingham not to get a shot on target all game was just a brilliant defensive performance, but it was whole team who did that – not just the back four or five. On another day we could’ve won the match 2-0 or 3-0.”

Matchwinner Godden admitted post-match that Krystian Bielik’s recent interview saying the Midlands club were “too good” for League One was “all over the dressing room” before the Valley encounter.

Boss Nathan Jones described the comment by the former Addicks loanee as “naive” as it added extra motivational fuel for his troops.
Birmingham exuded an air of confidence coming into the fixture.

“If they wanted to do that then good luck to them but I don’t think I would handle it that way,” said centre-back Jones, an ever-present in the league this season. “Even if I felt that way I’d be quietly confident rather than blurt it out there.

“It is good to beat a team that is expected to win the league by quite some margin, and has spent lots of money, but I just want to win games of football, whether that is against the top or the bottom of the league.

“They made it a bit nicer, in terms of winning, though.

“We believe we can beat any team in this league. But it is one thing believing it and then another going and doing it.

“Birmingham have got quality all over the pitch. Hopefully this can kickstart our season again.”

Plymouth-born Jones turned 29 earlier this week and the defender, who joined in June 2023 on a free transfer after his Cambridge United deal expired, is due to be out of contract after June.

“I’ve got to keep putting in performances – that is my main focus,” said the former Liverpool player. “Hopefully if I keep putting in good performances and focus on my football then a new contract will be here. I’ll have to wait and see.

“Football changes so quickly but Charlton is a big club with a great fanbase, a great stadium and a top manager. Everything seems to be falling in place.”

Jones needs three more appearances to make it 50 in an Addicks shirt.

His response when asked about that mini-milestone suggests a longer stay in SE7.

“It means something but I want to get to 100 – I haven’t done that at any club I have been at,” said Jones.

“But 50 is a good marker, I’ve been here just over a year. If I can get to 100 that would be a great achievement.

“I want more goals though. I’ve had a few chances this season and I could’ve been on three or four already.”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS