NATHAN Jones said there were “lots and lots” of positives despite Charlton Athletic’s 2-0 defeat to Millwall in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Lions’ training ground in Bromley.
George Saville and Aidomo Emakhu scored the goals for Neil Harris’ side.
Jones was interviewed for the Millwall job last October before the Lions appointed Joe Edwards as Gary Rowett’s successor.
Jones got his chance to return to the hotseat in February and steered the Addicks to safety in League One.
“There were lots and lots of positives,” Jones said on Charlton’s website. “I saw the work come out, real good physical work.
“We conceded by giving two sloppy balls away which is the thing we have to eradicate. We give the ball away and then they break and score two from shots. Apart from that, we controlled the game in lots of ways.
“It was a good workout against a perennial Championship side. There’s so much structure and but for a bit more quality in the final third, it would have been a better result for us.
“We more than competed with them physically in terms of everything, so it shows we’re in a good place.
“We haven’t kept many clean sheets and that has to change. It’s about doing the basics over a 90-minute period and that’s what we have to improve. Structurally we were good and physically we were good. We just need to add a little bit more quality and then be a little bit better doing the basics.
“I’m disappointed with the result because we’re better than the result showed. But, one, you’ve got to score goals and, two, you’ve got to keep them out at the other end.
“I am generally pleased. These are a Championship side so it shows we’re competing there, but I want us to get better.
“No one has reported any injuries. That’s the most important thing really and then you’re looking for the physical workout, which we got. Then you’re looking for the result, so two out of three ain’t bad.”
Charlton travel to Crystal Palace on Friday.
Jones said: “It’s a totally different test against a Premier League side, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re at it and then we’re halfway through pre-season.
“It’s a big test for us on Friday, but it’s what we want in pre-season. Some players will get 60 minutes and others will get 30.”
The game will be available to watch on Charlton TV and kicks off at 12pm.
