A proper football stadium
Is how Nathan Jones described The Valley in his first interview tonight. I warmed to that. I warmed to him.
Nothing earth shattering in the 16 minutes conducted by the splendid Charlotte Richardson, but it was a simple message and he spoke well. I liked that he talked a lot about Charlton, and its supporters.
Interestingly he said that he spoke to the club after Dean Holden was sacked, which made me wonder how an earth we ended up with Michael Appleton.
Jones said he wasn’t ready at that point to get back into management and was enjoying spending time with his family at their home in Devon. It was a year ago next week that he was sacked by Southampton, and that was a tough break up.
Jones understands the short term objective but wants to build a football club and we are in serious need of a facelift. However, it was good to hear that the owners also buy into that. Obviously as we know both Gabriel Brener and Joshua Friedman were heavily involved in the hiring process.
Also, I found it smart that Jones made the club’s board realize they needed a manager and not a head coach. Clever negotiation that because Andy Scott and Jim Rodwell have talked at length about the hierarchical nature of the club going forward as they see it. Well, that changed.
The Welshman talked fondly of his time at the club previously, which ticks the former Addicks’ connection box, but he has just spent one of his thirty year playing and managerial career with us. That in my mind is also a good thing.
I am strapped in and signed up. Welcome Nathan. COYR.
Nathan – if you do nothing else , please don’t stand on the touch line statuesque with your hands in your pockets !
As a Luton fan ego saw nearly every game NJ managed I can assure you he won’t be standing around with his hands in his pockets! He’s probably the most animated, vocal and energetic manager I’ve ever seen on the sideline!
He is a good man, a family man, an honourable man… this season could well continue as a bit of a roller coaster ride and could still possibly (ask MK Dons fans) end in disappointment… but if we stay behind Nathan and support Nathan and his team then I am sure that this could be the start of something special!
Never been a fan, partly due to my Luton issues, but also in fairness his marmite characteristics. But, he clearly has a vision, I think the ability to achieve it and it looks like he’ll get the support. A step up for sure, a proper manager.
So yeah I’m on board too, starting Saturday, time to put it all behind us.
COYR🙏
Yes, this Charlott was asking pertinent questions and very refreshing from well past it nd boring Sir Smith who thinks he is the only supporter of this club but no he is a follower as a true supporter puts money on the gate and the vast majority of us pay good money and we have to pay for our hospitality.
Just saying and good luck Mr Jones but think it could well go down to the wire and wow Reading are flying and 2 wins from 5 undefeated games.
One would he just a start and do it for once for the magnificent support and a clean sheet???
TBF both Reading and Charlton have wonderful stadiums but we know who owns CAFC don’t we but we have had Ownership issues going all the way back to the era of Mike Glickstein,
I’ve never really understood the logic in wanting to a Head Coach kind of set up, which I understand to be focused on the day-to-day training of the team, developing game strategies, and managing players during matches. Where as a manager has a broader strategy which includes not only the coaching duties but also involvement in player transfers, contracts, and overall club strategy.
If I manager is to built a successful team they need to have the power to bring in the players they need to fit into their overall strategy. How can it be advantageous to have someone like Andy Scott managing the recruitment of players detached from the manager.
By all means a manager should be able to delegate scouting duties but ultimately it is their final decision, the need to be hands on building their vision not trying to fit in players that are pushed in their direction.
Jones is a breath of fresh air. At last we have in the driving seat a down to earth guy with a personality and ambition that will adhere him to the greater majority of the fanbase. I liked his interview. He is aware that it will be a fight at first, and will tell it like it is, but he will be in it for the long term. I for one will be on board with him. A million miles away from the ‘block of wood’ who last sat at his desk.
I’m over the moon with Nathan coming back today club where he was respected and contributed to the development of many of our players.
He is a genuine down to earth guy who is enthusiastic and ambitious and did a fantastic job at Luton.
At last we have a true manager and not a coach and I’m sure that Scott can now back out of an area he has failed to deliver in.
I’m confident he can steady the ship and fans will get fully behind him.
He’s not a miracle worker and will need time to tinker with the team and get us back to winning ways.
I’m looking forward to our next home game next Tuesday and hopefully his second win after Saturday
Welcome back Nathan !!!!
I agree, best appointment probably since Chrissy Powell 👍
Now we are cooking with gas.
Thank God for some positivity at last. I think I’m going to cry.
Save the tears LP. We have a team to back 😀
Yep, a good interview, Charlotte Richardson asked the right questions and we got the right answers.
I don’t think there’s that much to turn around – mostly it’s confidence and credit where it’s due, the board made the changes we wanted to see – a new manager, Curtis Fleming on the coaching staff, new players brought and bought in and one or two underperformers have been shifted out.
We are in trouble but we have plenty of time to turn things around and it’s still in our hands to do so. But we need a few clean sheets – get those and by definition you don’t lose.
Yes…🙏…welcome….I have a good feeling that you are are going to be a legend here….so pleased you have accepted the offer to become a manager…not just a coach….you have all the qualities needed and for my money I like your passion and care less if interview’s with the media go a bit left field…all the best..promotion is ours..God Willing…
Surely they’re going to play Nathan Jones by The Supremes at the next home game!