Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones has claimed it is a blow that star defender Lloyd Jones will miss tomorrow night’s clash with Derby County but believes there is a silver lining.
The Addicks have been on a turgid run of form over the past few months, although results have picked up since Jones has taken charge, including some hard-fought draws against title contenders Bolton Wanderers and Portsmouth, as well as an in-form Lincoln City.
However, Jones’ biggest worry right now is that the team need victories. Charlton Athletic are without a win in 18 matches in all competitions which is the longest winless streak in the club’s history. The new coach has been in charge for only four of these 18 games.
Nevertheless, it will be yet another difficult week for the south-east London club as a trip to Pride Park on Tuesday night is followed by a tough game at Sixfields on Saturday against a Northampton Town side who are still alive in the race for the playoffs.
Unfortunately, Jones will have to make do in both games without star centre-back Lloyd Jones as the former Liverpool man picked up his tenth yellow card of the season at the weekend in the goalless draw with Portsmouth.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Derbyshire, the head coach remained confident in his covering options to do a job:
“It gives someone else a chance. That’s what we’ve demanded from people. We’ve got six centre-halves here. We’ve got Michael Hector back, [Lucas] Nessy is there and [Macaulay] Gillesphey came on and played [on Saturday]. We’ve got cover in there.
A crucial challenge from @gillesphey 💪#cafc pic.twitter.com/SCf9s1htUo
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) February 25, 2024
“It’s sad really because Lloyd’s been in good form. He’s been aggressive and he’s defended fantastically well, but it gives someone else a chance now.”
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Interestingly, Jones did feature for the new Charlton Athletic boss during his two-year stint with Luton Town but only made six appearances in all competitions under the Welshman. He has already played four times under Jones since the former Southampton coach was appointed at The Valley.
Now, the 28-year-old defender is a key player for Charlton and will be sorely missed at the heart of the defence, especially after the side kept a clean sheet at the weekend against the best team in England’s third tier with him at the back.
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