Nathan Jones spoke to CharltonTV following an impressive 3-0 win against Chelsea U21s at The Valley on Tuesday evening.
The Addicks secured qualification to the next stage of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy having previously won against Cambridge United.
“I thought we were excellent,” claimed Jones. “They were a very young, expensively assembled, talented team. If we allowed them time and space, they could have embarrassed us. We made a big point about dictating and going after them and we did.
“Ash [Maynard-Brewer] made three great saves, but we could have had six or seven.”
We return to home soil in our final BSM Trophy clash, hosting newly-promoted fourth-tier side Bromley on Tuesday, November 12th.
Speaking on the team’s performance off the ball, Jones added, “It was a really good and interesting game. I am really pleased, out of possession I thought we were outstanding. If we do the basics right, we win that comfortably, we had to earn that and we did.
“I like this competition as it gives you different tests, but it also shows that your squad is in a good place.”
Miles Leaburn was at the double for the Addicks, netting twice in the first-half. Jones praised the 20-year-old’s work rate following his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“He is gaining more rhythm from game time, minutes and training. He is a big man with wonderful feet, but he has also got to realise he is a big man. We are working on that, he got two goals from being a big man tonight and we like that. That’ll do him good, I was really pleased with his energy and pressing. Really pleased with him.”
Jones highlighted the positives that the competition provides in terms of squad selection, allowing players to come in and fight for their place, giving them a fair chance in the selection.
“We always have selection headaches. When we have a full squad, we have seven or eight in the stands. Now we are slightly more stretched, it adds competition. If they have taken that opportunity tonight and are ready, then we will put them in. I could have put seven U21s out tonight, but we have got a squad, and we wanted to win the game.
“We wanted to give people the opportunity that they deserved. A lot of them took their chance tonight. Nothing is won or lost in October, a gruelling six months to come where we will need everyone.”
