Former Addick backs Jones

Former Addick Jordan Cousins (now at Cambridge United) is confident that Charlton will pull away from the League One danger zone and is full of praise for Nathan Jones: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/jordan-cousins-confident-charlton-athletic-will-pull-clear-of-league-one-relegation-danger-and-sings-praises-of-new-boss-nathan-jones/

How long will the honeymoon last?

That's the question posed by one Addick the other day in relation to Nathan Jones.   As far as a vociferous minority (?) it has never begun as they do not like the appointment.

Quite who they think should have been appointed is unclear.  Bowyer is sometimes mentioned, but he has a nice number in Monteserrat.

3,000 Addicks will be going to the crucial match at Reading tomorrow which reflects well on our fans.  Reading are coming into form and I'm far from sure that Jones can turn round a disjointed squad after a few days on the training ground.  My guess would be a draw.

More than poor performances, the gloom and negativity of Charlton fans is getting me down.  Last year my non-league club was relegated.   People were disappointed, but the manager was reappointed for a 14th year and people have continued to enjoy their football and the banter at the game.

Charlton may be relegated and obviously that is not what we want (I still think there are four teams worse than us, plus our goal difference is better).   But if we get relegated we play in League Two and could well be contestants for promotion.   Gloom merchants will hold out the prospect of the National League, but remember that Stockport County went down to the National League North and bounced back.   Loyal fans will stick with the team, although obviously some only want to watch higher level football.

Aneke back in training

Chuks Aneke is back in training, but Nathan Jones is reluctant to say when the frequently injured player will be back in action: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/chuks-aneke-back-in-full-training-for-charlton-but-nathan-jones-wont-give-any-inclination-about-playing-prospects/

Losing Miles Leaburn for the season was a real blow.

Jones thought carefully about taking on role

Nathan Jones had extensive talks with Charlton's owners to assure him of their commitment before agreeing to become manager.  He was also approached at the time of the sour apple appointment, but did not feel ready to leave his family in Devon: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/nathan-jones-indicates-he-had-previous-charlton-athletic-contact-and-had-extensive-talks-with-owners-before-taking-role/

It's being miserable that makes me happy

It's difficult to judge the way in which Charlton fans have reacted to the appointment of Nathan Jones from comments on social media.  The loudest are not necessarily representative and even if one did a poll, it would not be based on a proper sampling frame.

Nevertheless, there seems to be more scepticism and grudging acceptance than I expected.   The fan consensus was that Appleton had to go.   At the end of the day, results matter.

Nathan Jones was well regarded by Luton fans, as the Chicago Addick has shown.  Peter Varney, who knew him, has paid him a warm tribute.   He states: 'I have worked with Nathan Jones and pleased to see he is referenced as the manager. He has a tremendous work ethic and fans should get ready for a ball of energy on the touchline. A very positive move and he will need time to impose his standards with the players he wants.'

Then we have Charlton fans grumbling because he is not a Londoner.   It doesn't matter where he comes from, it's whether he can energise the squad and getting them scoring goals and avoiding defensive howlers.   It's a big challenge.

It's a tough and vital test at Reading on Saturday, but turning the oil tanker round may not happen that quickly.   What is important is that fans, not least the devoted away fans, give him and the team unstinting support.

Rams versus sheep?

There are different interpretations of yesterday's defeat to Derby, although given the pessimistic nature of Charlton fans many of them tended to be gloomy.   It was Derby's sixth away win in eight, while Charlton have now gone twelve games without a win.

Some saw it as a decent performance against a strong side apart from one defensive howler.   Others thought that we frayed towards the end of the game which is certainly par for the course.

Nathan Jones will have seen the scale of the task he faces.   Fans seem divided about him, but one has to be realistic about the calibre of manager that would come to Charlton in its present condition,

Charlton did not move down the table and one needs to look at the difficulties that some of the teams below us have.   The owners have at least tried to make signings in the transfer window, although Blackett-Taylor will be missed.

Mendez-Laing put the Rams in front in the 31st minute, finishing confidently after Macaulay Gillesphey's pass was intercepted by Max Bird.

Mendez-Laing, who had been off the pitch just before that receiving treatment, was forced off seven minutes later with an injury and replaced by Tom Barkhuizen.

Tyreeq Bakinson drove over from Tayo Edun's cutback but otherwise the Addicks struggled to create chances in a first half that was disrupted by stoppages.

Charlton substitute Daniel Kanu had a header tipped over by Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers in the 58th minute.

Bird weaved his way into the box before sliding his shot wide of the post shortly after the hour mark, but one goal proved enough for the Rams.

Jones to take over

Nathan Jones is set to be appointed Charlton coach: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/charlton-athletic-target-nathan-jones-as-their-new-boss/

Most fans have welcomed the news.   At least he should be able to save us from relegation.