Charlton Athletic faced a 2-1 defeat against Preston, but their performance shows promise for the future with key players stepping up.
Preston: Charlton Athletic took a hit in the FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Preston on Tuesday night. The match was rescheduled from Saturday due to a frozen pitch.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots. Manager Nathan Jones noted that the team played well, even if their defense was a bit shaky. They’ve been on a six-game unbeaten run, so there’s definitely some momentum.
It’s interesting to think about whether the change in schedule affected player choices. Miles Leaburn didn’t start, possibly because of the upcoming match against Rotherham. Still, Charlton fielded a strong lineup and played well overall.
They had the upper hand in stats, with Preston’s keeper making six saves while Charlton’s only faced two shots on target. Milutin Osmajic scored twice for Preston, but Luke Berry managed to equalize for Charlton before halftime.
Jones praised the team’s performance, saying it was at a “Championship level.” While they’re currently sitting 11th in League One, it’s clear they’re improving and finding their rhythm.
One of the key changes has been the addition of width and pace, thanks to players like Thierry Small and Tyreece Campbell. Small has stepped up as a right wing-back and has been impressive, while Campbell’s versatility keeps defenses on their toes.
Looking ahead, the focus is now on the league. With the FA Cup behind them, Charlton has a lot of work to do to stay in the playoff race. They’re currently seven points off the top six, and they need to be more clinical in their play.
Jones has been optimistic about the team evolving, and recent performances suggest they’re on the right track. If they can keep building on this and find consistency, they might just turn their season around.
