‘I’m disappointed’ – Charlton boss Jones on 2-0 friendly loss to AFC Wimbledon

Nathan Jones has given his verdict on Charlton Athletic’s 2-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon – with his side’s inability to keep clean sheets proving a frustration.

Ryan Johnson and Josh Kelly scored for the Dons in the second half.

Charlton have conceded in all of their tune-up matches, even the 6-1 thumping of Darford earlier this month.

They finish their preparations for the new League One season at home to Portsmouth next weekend.

“I’m disappointed,” said Addicks boss Jones. “I’m disappointed – not with the result. I’m disappointed with certain things that we do well. We wanted to be aggressive from the start and we weren’t. We didn’t go after the ball really early on and that means we allowed them to have one or two more passes than we liked them to.

“We weren’t dominant in the first or second (half), so we didn’t get a dominant foothold in the game.

“When we had the possession we didn’t move it with any real quality. We went too long early on in build up. We just needed to be a little more fluent. I thought we had enough chances first half, good chances, where we could’ve taken the lead.

“Second half we started really brightly but the old adage – we don’t keep a clean sheet. That is the disappointing thing (that Charlton haven’t kept a clean sheet in pre-season). Even against Dartford, with no disrespect, we don’t do the right things.

“We are going to sleep for moments and getting punished for every moment. They’ve had two chances today and scored two – right before that we had a glorious chance to equalise, albeit he (Tyreece Campbell) made it himself with his pace.

“Overall we have been in a really good place – up until today. Today was a disappointing one but I’m glad it’s happened today and not in two weeks’ time. That’s the only positive I can come up with.

“You will learn lessons and that is what we’ve got to do. We weren’t good enough today in terms of anything. We weren’t a threat and we weren’t what I would like us to be, and that has to change. Personnel will change and we have tried little different combinations but we are narrowing it down to get to the best 11 and the seven gamechangers that we need for games.

“There will be certain tweaks in the game against Portsmouth, because we want to be front-footed and right aggressive from the front. To do that we need certain individuals and we want to be aggressive right behind it so we can latch on and defend really properly.

“In defence we want people who can handle the ball and play fluidly. The best ones that can do that will start the season.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD