Nathan Jones spoke ahead of our FA Cup opener this weekend as we face a trip to Roots Hall, locking horns with Southend United on Saturday (KO 3pm GMT).
The Addicks head into the cup clash off the back of a 3-0 win in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, where Miles Leaburn netted a brace, before Tyreece Campbell added a third from the bench.
Speaking on his return to Southend, where he featured as a player, Jones added, “I’m looking forward to the game because it is like any other game, the next game but also because it is the FA Cup first round.
“It’s a wonderful competition, one I have always loved competing in both as a player and as a manager. The added spice of going back to one of your old clubs as well, it will be interesting. I haven’t been back in a while. It’s a time in my career that I really enjoyed.”
Jones emphasised the importance of the tournament within the English game, touching on the romance of the cup and what it brings to clubs like Charlton.
“I think the competition is really important for both me and the club. First and foremost, it’s a historic and wonderful cup competition, the best in my opinion. It has variety and it holds a lot of unpredictable things.
“For the club, it is really important, we would like to have a cup run. We want to get as far as we possibly can. First and foremost, it is about winning the next game in front of us.”
“They are a well-coached team, I played with both Kevin Maher and Darren Currie, one at Southend and one at Brighton. I have the upmost respect for them. It will be a tough game, first round of the cup, away from home.
“They’re not a non-league club, they are bigger than that, it will be a tough test. They will want to create a bit of history in the first round as well. It will be the toughest of tests.
The gaffer also provided an update on those sidelined through injury, touching on what has been a difficult period with injuries.
“A week goes by and of course people are closer to getting fit, how many will be available for the weekend is another thing. We have been unfortunate with injuries lately and we have picked up a few innocuous ones that we didn’t see coming.
“It has been a strange time; we have got to get through it and hopefully be in a really good position so we can get everyone back and give everyone that extra lift.”
With a trip to Exeter City rapidly approaching, Jones claimed that all eyes are on the weekend in terms of squad selection.
“This is a game in its solitude, we are looking at just this game. Exeter will take care of itself. With the greatest respect we made changes in the midweek and believed that we were strong enough to win that game if we made them changes. Whatever side we play on Saturday will have to be one that we believe is strong enough to win the game.”
After the club’s initial allocation of 815 tickets sold out within days, we received an additional 1,080 tickets for this weekend’s clash. Jones shared his hopes for an exciting atmosphere at Roots Hall with many Addicks set to be in attendance.
“I’m expecting a good atmosphere. It’s a romantic cup, I really like it. What I always say and have said, the last thing you want to have done is drawn another League One club. You want a bit of romance in this cup, this tie provides that. It will be a really good atmosphere. We will pack that away end out, if we can do that, it will be a fantastic atmosphere.”
