NATHAN Jones felt Charlton Athletic’s defending wasn’t good enough in their 2-1 defeat to Derby County at The Valley on Tuesday night – but said he was looking forward to a “massive game” against Millwall on Saturday.
An own goal from Macaulay Gillesphey gave the Rams the lead in the first half before Bobby Clark made it 2-0 on the hour.
Tyreece Campbell’s long-range strike reduced the deficit in the 67th minute, but the hosts couldn’t find an equaliser.
“I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed with the goals, and once you concede two in the Championship it is very difficult to win a game,” Jones said.
“It was an even game in the first half, and it became a bit edgy. It was tough when they sat in.
“I’m disappointed with the goal that was scored. Then in the second half we started really well. We were on the front foot, and made positive changes. We then get a counter-attack, we don’t pick the right option and then they go and break and score, and then it becomes really difficult.
“We have to defend the first goal better, and the second goal I am disappointed with as well, they ran off the back of us.”
Jones explained the half-time substitutions of Miles Leaburn and Lloyd Jones.
Jones said: “Miles coming off was tactical. Lloyd was feeling his ankle which is why he came off. But I didn’t think it affected us too much.
“I thought TC was excellent again. There was a few real good performances out there but we couldn’t provide that quality that we needed.
“What we need to do is make sure we go back to keeping clean sheets. There aren’t many games when we don’t score, we need to go back to keeping clean sheets and defending properly.
“We need to stay together, [the players] are giving everything. We have had a tough run, today was a hard one to take, I wanted to go back-to-back wins.”
The Addicks travel to The Den to face neighbours Millwall on Saturday. Charlton haven’t beaten their rivals in thirteen games going back to 1996.
Jones said: “It is a massive game for the club and for everyone, and we look forward to it.”
The game is at the earlier kick-off time of 12.30pm.
