Charlton boss Nathan Jones has said his side are starting to show they are one of the best in the division, following today’s goalless draw with Reading.
The Addicks, 11th in the table, are now six unbeaten in League One following the stalemate with the play-off chasing Royals.
The home side had the lion’s share of chances to win the game but had to settle for a point. Tyreece Campbell came closest to the breakthrough as he had a goal disallowed due to the assistant referee’s flag midway through the second-period.
The South Londoners have won two and drawn two against sides in the top six at The Valley so far this campaign but sit seven points outside the play-off places.
Picture: Paul Edwards
Jones said: “We’re one of the better sides in the league. There’s not many that are better than us in the league here. There’s sides at the minute that are winning games, but when we play against these sides, it’s a really good football game.
“What we’ve done, we’ve let ourselves down once or twice, but now we’re looking like the side I want us to be in terms of front-footed attacking. We’re creating chances, we’ve had 18 shots again today. And with a little bit more quality, we win that game. These are a good side, but we’ve been the better side today in all departments.
“I’m really proud of the performance, we were excellent. We’ve had enough chances there to have won comfortably. They have one chance where they turn the ball over and ask us to make a save, but apart from that we were really, really outstanding.
“Probably just need a little bit more quality in that final third and we win that game. It’s a wonderful performance. These are a good side, they’re beating sides, they’re top six coming into the game. We were excellent and that showed with the reaction of the fans at the end.
Picture: Paul Edwards
“They clapped off a goalless draw and if you’re going to draw a game, that’s the way to draw a game. We were pushing, made positive changes, we were front footed, we were aggressive, another clean sheet. So many positives, I’m just a tad disappointed that we didn’t win the game.
“We’ve had enough clearcut chances there, enough situations, opportunities. We’re looking like a far better side all around in terms of our play. Defensively, since we’ve been six unbeaten, we’ve only conceded two in the last six.
“We’ve come up against some tough sides, we’ve had some big wins. The last two home games have been against two top six sides, against the leaders. And we’ve shown that we’re an excellent side when we’re at it.
“And we’re still gathering momentum, we’re still getting everyone back, we’re still evolving as a team. I’m really pleased with the performance. Ten points over the Christmas period, out of 12. It shows how hard the players, the staff, everyone has worked. I’m proud of that performance, but it’s just a tinge of disappointment that we didn’t win it.”
On Campbell’s disallowed goal, Jones said: “It’s really marginal, and then the one for Godden after isn’t offside and he gets flagged. Real disappointing things. But these things even themselves out, I hope.
“We’ve had better chances than that and not taken them. On another day we win that game, but we’ve got to take the positives. 10 points from 12 games and with the Crawley game was the real disappointment because I think we’re in good form. It’s been a good Christmas period.”
PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS