Sloppy defending nearly costs Charlton

Sloppy defending nearly cost Charlton their grip on the League One draw specialists trophy at The Valley this evening, but an equaliser from substitute Chuks Aneke saw the game end 2-2.   

Charlton moved up to 14th, although we have played more games than some teams around us.  Cheltenham and Fleetwood both lost and we are 11 points above the drop zone.

It was no joke for Wigan keeper Tickle when Lactics captain Hughes put an own goal pat him in a scrappy first half.  There may have been a case for the goal being disallowed because of a foul by May, but none of the Wigan players protested and we have had more than our fair share of bad decisions.

Charlton started the second half, playing towards the Covered End, with real energy, but failed to convert a number of chances.  Sloppy defending then allowed Wigan to score twice.

Nathan Jones took a risk making three substitutions, including taking off Alfie May.  Chuks Aneke missed a sitter, sending the ball into the Covered End, but redeemed himself with his headed goal.

I though that we had some fluent play and good approach work in the second half, but could have been more clinical - and we always looked vulnerable to a counter attack.

Fans singled out George Dobson for his contribution, and he nearly scored.

Nathan Jones was disappointed with the result but pleased with the level of performance: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-im-disappointed-we-didnt-beat-wigan-athletic-but-the-level-of-performance-was-there/

He has discussed how he intends to tackle Charlton's defensive woes: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-boss-nathan-jones-explains-how-he-will-address-addicks-defensive-woes-following-2-2-draw-with-wigan/

Implicit in what he says is the current personnel are not good enough.   Curbs commented last night that he thinks that Jones has more leverage over recruitment policy than previous managers.

Jones was booked by erratic referee Swabey who may well have broken his bottle of hair restorer in the dressing room.  The Charlton supremo thinks that a Wigan player should have been booked for simulation: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-names-wigan-player-who-he-felt-should-have-been-booked-instead-of-him-during-valley-draw/