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/

Rovers return

It looks as if the worst of Storm Dennis will hit after this afternoon's match against Blackburn Rovers, but the expected bumper crowd may be depleted because of threatened transport disruption. Clearing the crowd from The alley will be a challenge now that there is no longer a 'football special' fast to London Bridge.

Charlton have not scored a goal in their last four 'football for a fiver' games: Is football for a fiver cursed?

Blackburn come into the game after a convincing 3-0 home win against Hull during the week. Charlton are looking to win three consecutive league games against Blackburn for the first time since September 2004. Away from home, Blackburn have won five, drawn two and lost eight.

Blackburn have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last six away league games against Charlton (W2 D2 L2). Charlton are looking to win consecutive home Championship games for the first time since April 2016 under manager Jose Riga.

Blackburn have lost their two away league games in London this season, losing 2-0 at Fulham and 4-2 at QPR. Since the start of last season, Lyle Taylor has scored 34 goals in all competitions - 20 more than any other Charlton player.

If Charlton can do the double over Blackburn, it will be a big step towards safety. The teams below us have tough away games today: Derby v Huddersfield; QPR v Stoke (mind you anything is possible with the Super Hoops); Cardiff v Wigan; Boro v Luton; Fulham v Barnsley.

One piece of good news is that Johnnie Jackson has signed a contract to remain as assistant manager at Charlton until 2023. A true legend.

Facing Charlton a big test for Rovers

Facing Charlton on Saturday will be a big test for Blackburn Rovers according to Tony Mowbray. It will not be an easy fixture and the Rovers supremo is expecting a tight and edgy game: All set for an intense opening day

Republic of Ireland international Derrick Williams is out injured, but Rovers have signed a defender on loan from Manchester City: Rovers team news

Winning run comes to an end

Charlton's winning run came to an end today with a 1-3 home defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. This is the third time we have been defeated by Rovers this season. The difference between the two teams was the skill and guile of Jordan Rhodes and defensive weaknesses on the part of Charlton. In particular, the returning Tal Ben Haim had a mare.

The initial play was balanced between the two teams, but Rovers then scored with a well executed poacher's goal, starting with a quickly taken throw in, Rhodes doing the damage. An awful defensive error by Roger Johnson then led Rovers score their second through Conway.

Charlton applied some pressure for a while, but then Rovers came back into the game. In the two minutes added on, there was mayhem in front of the opposition's goal, with claims of handball.

In the second half, a foul on Vetokele led to the keeper getting a yellow card and Buyens scored from another well dispatched penalty on 56 minutes. Not long afterwards, the Addicks hit the bar with a Vetokele header and Watt had a good run on goal. However, Rhodes then scored a second with a header after a deflected shot from Taylor looped into the air to put the game beyond doubt.

There was a vociferous Belgian contingent in the far bottom corner of the West Stand (apparently they were from Gent). I heard Flemish being spoken on the train to London Bridge, but it turned out to be Dutch fans whose main aim was to find Marks & Spencers.

Charlton remain 12th in the table, but have slumped to 4th in the form table. The Bloke Behind Me reckons we will soon be in a relegation battle.

Player ratings

Henderson didn't really have a chance with the goals. Johnson was featured in the programme yesterday: it's bit like the manager of the month curse in my view, so that either the player doesn't appear at all or has a mare. He said 'The smallest error can cost you a goal' and he should know after yesterday. When both central defenders are below par you have a problem and Talal Ben Haim was caught out again and again. I would bring Gomez back for Blackpool beach.

Fox tries very hard, but he still lacks enough quality. Solly was below best. For the throw that led to the first goal, he should have let the ball go out and it would have been ours. He then sportingly handed it to the player who took the throw quickly and it went into the space where Solly should have been. Blackburn knew what they were doing in a well-worked move and Solly was caught out.

Cousins was outstanding for much of the match in my view, although he faded towards the end. He was putting himself about everywhere, showing good positional sense and poise and strength. His progress has been one of the pleasures of this season. Bulot put in some good crosses, but was eventually substituted, receiving polite applause. Gudmundsson did his best to create something, but to no avail. Buyens delivered the penalty well, I think it's now six out of six, but did not keep possession well.

The Football League Paper this morning describes Vetokele as a 'constant source of menace' and he was. Watt showed great skill on the ball and it's the shame that the shot from his run went just wide.

Eagles came on and did his best, but not enough to secure a contract. He was booed by the away fans as a former Bolton player. Church contributed some energetic running, but was not a game changer.

Toughest test since Derby?

Many Charlton fans are now focusing on the Good Friday match at the New Den, but the Addicks could face their biggest test since Derby when they face Blackburn Rovers at The Valley tomorrow. Having held Liverpool to a draw at Anfield at the weekend, Jordan Rhodes popped up to give Rovers a 94th minute 1-0 win over Bolton midweek. Rhodes will be starting tomorrow, despite being linked with a loan move to 'Boro. Blackburn are now three points ahead of Charlton in the mid-table league.

Charlton have no particular injury worries, apart from the long-term injuries to Johnnie Jackson, Rhoys Wiggins and Franck Moussa [who he, ed?] The Sparrows Lane tea lady reports that Stephen Henderson will be fit after having to withdraw at half time against Cardiff. Talk of a late fitness test can be taken with a pinch of salt.

Our recent record against Blackburn is not too impressive. Blackburn won the last meeting 2-1 at The Valley in the FA Cup in January. Rovers also won the earlier league meeting this season 2-0 at Ewood Park in December. Blackburn have won the last three meetings in all competitions. Charlton's last win was 1-0 at Ewood Park in the Championship in October 2013. Blackburn are unbeaten in the last three meetings at The Valley in all competitions, winning the last two. Charlton's last win at home was 1-0 in the Premier League in December 2006.

A party of Addicks visited Sparrows Lane yesterday and reported that morale was very high, with players speaking with great enthusiasm about Guy Luzon as a coach. One well-regarded player said that he was the best manager he had ever had. Another young player said that Luzon analysed each match with him one on one and then phoned him at home to go through it again.

Roland made one of his rare visits to Sparrows Lane yesterday, but Guy Luzon was tight lipped about whether there had been any discussion of summer transfer targets: Flying visit

Odds: Charlton 9/5, Draw 11/5, Blackburn 8/5.

Skipper back for Blackburn clash

Skipper Johnnie Jackson is expected to be back for Charlton's visit to Blackburn tomorrow. It is also hoped that Yann Kermorgant might be available, which would make a big difference to our chances. Chris Powell has no new injury worries.

Blackburn are currently ninth in the table and will be looking to push towards the top six. Last season they finished 17th, their worst position since 1991, and at one time looked as if they might be relegated. They lost at Wigan in their last match before the international break.

Jordan Rhodes is a key player for Rovers with a tally of nine goals in seven league games before the Wigan match. He scored 27 of their 55 goals last season. Former Manchester United trainee Corry Evans was brought in from Hull and hopes to feed Rhodes from midfield. He commented, 'I think we're starting to gel because a lot of new players have been brought in, including myself.'

Blackburn defender Grant Hanley will miss the match after his red card against Wigan, so Matt Kilgallon, a summer recruit on a free transfer, is expected to come into the side.

Odds: Blackburn Evens, Draw 12/5, Charlton 11/4. Charlton won 2-1 there last year.

Kean beats curse of Charlton

Easy pickings for Blackburn?

Steve Kean has preempted the curse of Charlton by resigning ahead of tomorrow's game at The Valley. Kean says that he was forced out and it would be difficult to disagree with him.

A revitalised Blackburn now expect to start on their path back to the Premiership by taking three points off village team Charlton tomorrow. I am forecasting a 1-2 win for Blackburn.

The BBC have a lot of fun with puns about fowl play, chickens coming home to roost and the manager in a flap: Fowl play. None of the reports I have looked at mention Charlton.