Nathan Jones shared his disappointment as the Addicks bowed out of the Vertu Trophy with a 2-0 defeat against Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening.
It took until stoppage time for the visitors to break the deadlock, netting two goals in quick succession to prevail at The Valley in the round of 32.
Speaking to CharltonTV post-game Jones said, “To say I’m disappointed is an understatement in terms of everything. We just weren’t good enough, anywhere near it, all over tonight.
“I’ve never coached a side that have had that many shots against them. I’ve played against Manchester City, and they had three shots, none on target. We played tonight against Leyton Orient and there must have been 16 or 17 shots, not good enough. I have learned a lot tonight.”
There were nine changes to the side which secured a point on the road at the weekend against Lincoln City, with Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Greg Docherty retaining their spots in the starting line-up.
Speaking on the opportunity to turn our focus to the league with games coming thick and fast this winter, Jones said, “The league is always more important, but we try to win as many games as we can.”
“We gambled tonight and made nine changes with people that haven’t played, we have learned a lot. That is the only thing we can do. It is tough when you play like you do, we were nowhere near good enough. That is not often that we have been able to say that and it is not often that I have been able to say that throughout my time. We weren’t good enough, we got exactly what we deserved tonight.”
The Addicks are back in league action at The Valley on Saturday for the visit of Mansfield Town.
