Charlton Athletic preparing for 'must win' against 'massive club' when Sheffield United head for capital
Sheffield United travel to face Charlton Athletic on Saturday
Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has admitted his side are ‘fragile’ at the minute as they prepare for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday.
The Addicks had begun the Championship season superbly, winning their first three matches and drawing the next.
However, a 4-0 defeat by Stoke City in early September saw things unravel spectacularly and they haven’t won a match since.
Jones’ side have lost their last four after suffering defeat to Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night and while the manager believes that there have been positives to take, he admits they crumble when things go against them.
"On the weekend we caused Middlesbrough real problems early on, but then we make an error and they score," said Jones.
"We don't seem to recover from those moments. Against Bristol City we started brilliantly and a loose challenge gives them a penalty. Against Norwich we were well on top, then we make a big error and suddenly we don't react well to it.
"We're a bit fragile at the minute and that's the frustrating thing because we haven't been that way before."
There were boos from the stands at the Valley following that 1-0 loss to Bolton in midweek which saw Charlton slip to fourth bottom of the Championship table.
With the natives restless, Jones admits it is up to him to lift the players and the crowd for the visit of United, the last before another international break.
That may be easier said than done, with the Blades in good form heading to their second away date in the space of a few days.
Chris Wilder’s men beat Preston 3-2 on Tuesday to make it three wins and a draw from their last four and that was without key players and the spine of the team in Liam Kitching, Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips. All three are in contention to return for the match at the Valley.
.JPG?trim=160,0,161,0&width=640&quality=65)
"The responsibility is with me first and foremost," Jones said. "I have to lead and make sure we're preparing them right.
"We've got one more game before the international break and we have to win the game."
He added: "They [the fans] can play a part and I understand the frustrations. We've been through tough times before and we've always come through them.
"This weekend we have to be positive. It's a massive game against a massive club and we have to be better. If we are, that gives us an opportunity to win a game, and that's the only important thing."