SOLID ADDICKS BOOST JONES

WITH his Charlton side inching towards League One safety, Nathan Jones is looking at the positives as he seeks to build the south Londoners’ resilience.

- Hugo Varley

The Addicks held play-off chasing Stevenage to a goalless draw at The Valley on Easter Monday, putting themselves eight points clear of the drop zone.

It marked just a second league clean sheet since October in what has been a markedly underwhelming campaign. Until recently, it saw the once Premier League highflyers on the back foot in a perilous-looking battle to maintain their third-tier status.

Jones’ appointment in February has heralded a brightening of spirits in SE7, with the former Luton boss having fallen to just one defeat going into yesterday’s clash with Barnsley.

However, the Welshman knows his rebuilding job still has a long way to go.

“We want to be better than what has happened, I think we’re starting to show that we can be difficult to beat,” said Jones.

“Keeping clean sheets at home is essential if you’re going to get anywhere. We very rarely don’t score in a game, so being resolute defensively is so key.