Nathan Jones says his side needs to drastically improve, as he looks ahead to Saturday's clash against Sheffield United at The Valley (3pm GMT).
Speaking ahead of the clash with the Blades, Jones said: “First and foremost, you’ve got to put in a full performance."
“A full performance means that you don’t make big errors and you don’t gift goals. You make people work, and then you can rely on your structure and the work that you do to shut out the opposition."
“When you do the work in possession and all the attacking work, then you just want that to be executed on the day and help us to score goals. We’ve not been doing that enough. When we’ve scored, we’ve not defended. When we’ve made mistakes, we have been punished. But that’s our fault for making mistakes.”
Jones said responsibility for turning things around rests with the team, adding: “If we are the best versions of ourselves, then we can compete at this level. When we’re not, then, as you see, we get punished.”
The manager confirmed that the club is still waiting for a clearer picture of Chalobah’s injury.
He described the decision to bring in a player of Chalobah’s quality as one that carries a degree of risk.
“If Nathaniel Chalobah is flying and fully fit and is a really durable athlete, he’s not that at Charlton at this point in time. To get that quality, we have to take certain compromises,” Jones said.
“To get durability, then we won’t get that quality. To get that quality, then it’s very difficult to get the durability. We have to try and take the gambles where we can, and with Nate, it hasn’t really paid off yet.”
Jones also said Kayne Ramsay has picked up a groin injury, and will continue to be assessed.
“When Kayne [Ramsay] is flying and fully fit, then he’s a good player. But we haven’t seen that enough [this season],” he explained.
The manager explained that he understands that his role requires a responsibilty to turn the Addicks' fortunes around.
“I get paid to do this. This is what I get paid to do,” he said.
“Part of that, as the manager, is leading a group and getting the best out of a group. I get applauded when we do well and overachieve, and the buck falls with me when we’re not. So I’m really looking forward to the challenge."
“If my players are as ready as I am, then we’ll be difficult to beat."
“Some of the performances have been there, but we’ve not been us on a regular basis. If we are us, we can compete.”
