Charlton Athletic boss takes 'full responsibility' for defeat and poor display at Bristol Rovers

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has insisted that he takes "full responsibility" for his side's performance against Bristol Rovers as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the Mem on Tuesday night.

The Addicks came into the contest following back-to-back defeats to Blackpool and Stevenage while Rovers were also in desperate need of a victory following four losses in a row.

However, it was the Gas that turned recent fortunes around as goals from Scott Sinclair, Jamie Lindsay and James Wilson put the hosts into a commanding lead before late efforts from Alex Mitchell and Matt Godden made the victory less commanding than it should have been.

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Prior to their recent dip in form, Charlton had been one of League One's strong starters with four wins in their opening six matches. However, Jones' men were comfortably second best for the majority of the evening, something that the Welshman took responsibility for.

"I'll take full responsibility for this result," the Charlton boss told club media. "I got the team wrong. Tactically, I didn't get it right today. I picked a team that didn't perform, but I picked that team so I take full responsibility for that today. That's what I said when I went over to the fans. We've let them down tonight. I've let them down tonight. I haven't done this before but I'll take responsibility for that.

"It was a poor performance. We didn't win battles. They were more aggressive than us, more front-footed than us, but I'll take full responsibility for that.

"In moments of games we're fine, or in big parts, but there are other games now that when teams get near our box they score. Everyone scores from outside the box against us at the minute. We're not learning.

"That's something I can only do so much with but I got the team selection wrong and that's the big thing for me."

The South London outfit should have equalised late in the first half when Lloyd Jones headed just over the crossbar before Rovers started the second half outstandingly to then romp to a three-goal advantage.

However, Charlton flexed their squad depth by being able to bring on Godden in particular, who was an important player in the Championship for Coventry City in recent years, while Luke Berry started the match having played in the Premier League for Luton Town last term.

Goals from Mitchell and Godden made the contest more nervy in the closing moments than it should have been for Rovers, who threw away a lead against Wycombe Wanderers three days prior to lose 2-1, but they were able to see out a deserved win.

"We got overran all over," Jones added. "I tried to do something tonight that didn't work and we were ineffective. All over, the team I selected was ineffective and that's down to me.

"There were lots of positives late on. We've created enough chances to get something from the game. You shouldn't get something from the game if you're 3-0 down but we've had chances."

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