Nathan Jones was pleased with what he saw from his side on Tuesday evening, despite the Addicks’ exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Birmingham City.
“These are a good side,” he said. “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.
“I enjoyed watching us tonight. I enjoyed lots of us, and we will get better,” he continued. “We were aggressive, we were brave, we were man-for-man at times, and showed that we’re a really athletic team.”
The boss explained that while he was disappointed with the result, his sights are firmly on the league.
“Cup runs are good for the football club,” he said. “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 from the team that faced Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and was pleased with those who came into the side.
“It showed that we can make changes tonight and not be weakened in any way. It shows we’ve got a strong squad,” he said.
“We’re up against the favourites to win the league, so I don’t think we’re in too bad a place.”
It's time. Be there. Click here to purchase your 2024/25 season ticket and join the journey.
