Nathan Jones Makes ‘Brutal’ Admission as He Sets Out Plan for Birmingham City Clash
Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones insists his side can still take something from their trip to St Andrew’s this weekend — despite an injury crisis and a damaging run of form.
The Addicks head to Birmingham City on Saturday having slipped away from play-off contention following five straight defeats to Wrexham, Southampton, Stoke, Coventry and Middlesbrough. The downturn has coincided with a growing list of absentees, leaving Jones without several key players.
Speaking after Tuesday night’s narrow 2-1 loss to Boro, Jones admitted the past few weeks have been unforgiving.
“We’ve had a brutal run,” he said. “We’ve played four of the best teams in the league and we have to realise that. With arguably five starters out of the team, it’s very difficult for us to compete. When we’re at full strength, we can compete at this level — but we’re nowhere near that right now, and it’s showing.”
Despite that, Jones maintains confidence ahead of the trip to Birmingham — a stadium where Charlton fell to defeat back in February and a venue where only leaders Coventry have a better home record this season.
“We’ve got to stay confident and upbeat. I’m really positive we can go there and get a result,” he continued. “We had two close games against them last year — they won one, we won one — and there was nothing in the away match. We just need to be the best version of ourselves.”
Birmingham’s strong form at home makes Saturday’s fixture a daunting challenge, but Jones is adamant Charlton must approach it boldly, even with the squad stretched thin.
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