NATHAN Jones was pleased with the performance of his changed side despite their 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City in the first round of the EFL Cup at The Valley on Tuesday evening.
Brandon Khela’s goal in the 32nd minute was enough to separate the sides after Blues ended the game with ten men following Dion Sanderson’s red card for two bookings.
Tyreece Campbell had the chance to put the hosts ahead after he had been fouled by Tyler Roberts, but goalkeeper Ryan Allsop saved his penalty.
Ex-Addicks striker Alfie May had a chance to extend the visitors’ lead but Will Mannion saved his shot.
“These are a good side,” Jones said on Charlton’s website. “They were a Championship side last year and they’ve obviously spent a lot of money in the summer and got a good Manager, so they’re a tough side to play against. But I thought we were excellent.
“First 30 minutes, we could have been two or three up. Missed a pen which you can’t do against a good side. But we’ve caused them problems, we’ve pressed them. We know that they’re a good structural side, but we’ve had a lot of chances first half and just needed to be a little bit more clinical. They score with their first shot, effectively, from 30 yards.
“It was a real, real good game. We’ve really tested them. Both of their centre-halves were at full stretch. [Dion] Sanderson’s obviously been done twice for two things, otherwise we were clean in. And we finish the game strong.
“Where I’m disappointed is we didn’t show enough quality in the final third to get a goal. We had enough of the play, enough of the possession and, especially late on, we had enough of the chances and situations to have created more. That’s my only disappointment, really – that we haven’t done that.”
Jones added: “Cup runs are good for the football club. We want to do that for fans and for everything else.
“But for me, it’s all about the league. We want to do well in the league. We have a goal, and none of those goals include winning the Carabao Cup, with the greatest respect. In time maybe, but not yet!”
Jones made five changes that won 1-0 in their opening game of the season at Wigan Athletic last weekend.
He said: “It showed that we can make changes tonight and not be weakened in any way. It shows we’ve got a strong squad.
“We’re up against the favourites to win the league, so I don’t think we’re in too bad a place.”
Charlton host Leyton Orient in League One on Saturday at 12.30pm.
