Nathan Jones was disappointed his side couldn’t find a winner in their 1-1 draw with Bristol City at The Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Robins goalkeeper Sam Tickle made excellent second-half saves to deny Tyreece Campbell and Harvey Knibbs, ensuring the points were shared.
Speaking after the game, Jones said: “The positive is that we have stayed unbeaten [at home to start the season]. I felt we started the game really, really well. I thought we looked really fluid, really fluent, we moved the ball well, we looked athletic, scored a really good goal and then it is just a lapse of concentration really that gives them the goal and lets them back into it. That kind of knocked the wind out of our sails and I was disappointed with that.
“But second half when we changed shape I felt we were the most likely to go on and win it. I felt we had a glorious chance to win it and then we’re pressing and going at that Covered End and trying to win the game. There is a lot of positives to take from it, I’m just disappointed we didn’t get the win today.”
After a fast start, Karlan Grant gave the Addicks an eighth-minute lead.
“I thought it was a really fluid goal,” explained Jones. “It was good, we moved the ball well, a pass in, Karlan takes it beautifully and then finishes it well. That was a real bit of quality and I felt we were on the front foot from the off. Their keeper has made two real good saves to deny us – one from [Harvey] Knibbs, one from TC [Tyreece Campbell]. It shows that we tried to win the game, what we need to do is demonstrate a bit more quality, have a little bit more quality in the final third and probably be a little bit braver. They gave me everything, they worked, we utilised the squad, it was good to have people back. It’s not the worst day.
Scott Twine levelled from the spot after Conor Coventry was adjudged to have fouled Dom Ballard.
Jones admitted: “It is a penalty, it’s a poor decision. It’s the second time he’s done that, so that has to stop because he’s better than that. He’s a good player, a good defender, an international footballer, he just dangles his leg and you can’t afford to do that. Sometimes it happens, you know in that split second. It was disappointing as it kind of took the wind out of our sails a little bit. If we’d have got to half time I felt we would have gone on. As it was we had to make changes to go on, and after I felt we were better. I’m just disappointed with the manner of the goal and probably our overall fluency in the game.”
The Addicks wrestled back control of the game in the second half, with a change of shape, moving from a 4-2-3-1 to a back three.
Jones said: “I thought it [the change in shape] was the right thing to do, I thought we immediately got better options, we immediately took control back of the game, that’s what I get paid for. I’d have liked us to have been braver, especially in possession, to have kept the ball, to have played more but we didn’t, so I felt we needed to do that [change the shape]. As it was it turned out we got a point, we had the two best chances, in terms of great saves from their keeper – from the free kick and you expect TC to score, especially the form he is in but it’s a point in the Championship.
“The momentum was with us, they’ve got good players. They have a really good, strong squad of players that can hurt you. We wanted to push, we made positive changes constantly to try and push and try and get the winner and it just wasn’t to be. As we said, any point in the Championship is important, I’m just disappointed that we didn’t get two more today.”
Jones added he was pleased to see Josh Edwards making his first start in more than a year and was also pleased to welcome back Billy Koumetio and Kayne Ramsay. He said: “We’ve been stretched but now we have better options.”
Charlton are back in action at The Valley on Saturday, October 24th for the visit of Norwich City. Click here to purchase your tickets now.
