Jones admits: 'We are disappointed with points gained'

Supremo Nathan Jones responded in his press conference yesterday to fans like Desmond from Deal who have demanded more from the team in the final third.

The Welshman said: ‘We have to build from a solid foundation, like we did then. Once again we are building a solid foundation but come January, February, March and April, I have no doubt if I’m doing my job then we will be a better side than we are now - more fluent and much more potent in the final third. But that’s an evolution process.

We have come up a level and you have to remember we need to adjust to certain stuff. We are coming up against sides with huge budgets - regular Championship sides that have spent money on quality. That is what we have to get to. But, I’ve got to be honest with you, we’re sitting where we are and we are disappointed, realistically so, with our points gained. We feel we should have more.

We’ve got a squad now where we have got two in pretty much every position. If I play Amari’i Bell or Macaulay Gillesphey, is anyone going to raise their eyebrows? If I play Rob Apter or James Bree? If I play Kayne Ramsay or Reece Burke? If I play Charlie Kelman, Miles, Tanto (Isaac Olaofe) or (Matty) Godden in that position?

There are some tough decisions, sometimes, to make. Some people are a little bit unlucky. Macaulay Gillesphey, for example, can feel very unlucky and hard done by, because of what he did last season. But he will play lots of games for us.  Burkey had to be patient.’

Kayne Ramsay is back from suspension and Jones has also confirmed that Luke Berry is in full training.

The comments above reproduced from Richard Cawley's Substack platform where there is a lot more to read.

Blackburn Rovers arrive fresh from their washout against Ipswich Town which the EFL in its wisdom has ruled has to be played in full.

Nathan Jones believes Blackburn Rovers will pose a tough threat when they visit The Valley this weekend.  Valerien Ismael's side would be on the back of successive wins, and three in four games, had their Ipswich Town result stood. As it is, Rovers still carry good momentum as they search for a third away triumph in a row.

“There won't be a Championship team that comes here where it's a small game or insignificant, they're all massive," the supremo said.

"Blackburn have had a decent start with an experienced manager, narrowly missing out on the play-offs last year following a good second half to the season.   They've started quite well this time out and it’s another tough game, and one where we have to concentrate on us. We want to be the best version of ourselves at home.

"We love playing back at The Valley. The crowd is fantastic and so is the atmosphere. Matchdays are real occasions now and something we always look forward to."

Spirits are said to be high in the Blackburn camp as they prepare for their trip to the capital.

CAS Trust reckons the mood is more upbeat at Charlton than at Blacburn: https://www.castrust.org/2025/09/game-set-match-or-second-serve/