NATHAN Jones says Charlton Athletic are “bang on” the target they had set for themselves by this point in the season after their 1-1 draw against Rotherham United at The Valley on Saturday,
Liam Kelly’s goal in the 58th minute was the Millers’ first in the league away from home in nine games as Steve Evans’ side searched for a first away win in all competitions since November 2022.
But Charlton substitute Chuks Aneke denied them when he curled home from 25 yards in the 72nd minute.
The Addicks are fifth in League One with ten points from five games.
“The positives that we can take is that we are bang on, every five games we have a target for points, and we are bang on it at the minute,” Jones said on Charlton’s website.
“It seems like we would be disappointed today because we drew a game at home, also having lost the last game, but we are in a good position. If you get then points every five games, then you are in a real good position.
“We knew it was going to be a really difficult game, they were going to be tough to play against. It was going to be difficult to – and I don’t mean any disrespect – it was very difficult to create a tempo against them because almost everything was a restart. When it is like that you try to get fluency, and we couldn’t really do that.
“I thought we had the better chances. Gassan [Ahadme] has a wonderful chance early on, also knocking one down for Bez [Luke Berry] who I expect to hit the target there.
“It took two strikes from outside the box to break the deadlock in a tight game. At the minute we are one of the best defensive sides in the league, if not the best defensive side in terms of our xG against. We seem to get beaten from 20, 25 yards or wherever it is, that is something we have to address.
“Apart from that, I am proud of the performance, it wasn’t pretty, it was brutal at times.
Ten points after five games, it’s not the worst place to be.”
Jones added: “In the build-up we need to make decisions quicker. We gave them very little, Will [Mannion] had one save to make from Mallik Wilks in the first half which was a bit of a ricochet, that can happen. They throw the ball in and have a ricochet, that is what they created.
“For us, in a brutal game, we stood up to it and were defensively strong, we didn’t go under. We only concede from outside of the box at the minute pretty much. There are a lot of positives to take from it. Yes, we have to close balls down, but overall, defensively we have been excellent. What we have to do is make sure we are more fluent, a little bit more quality in our crosses and things that we do.
“When we display quality, we do get chances, that is the frustration, not enough quality in a difficult game. They were tough opponents in how they play, defend and work, but I expect us to be better.”
Meanwhile, Charlton are set to confirm the signing of free agent Danny Hylton, 35, on a deal until January.
