Nathan Jones looks forward to play-offs with confidence after final-day success

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA

Nathan Jones has insisted that Charlton’s results against Wycombe this season count for nothing ahead of their League One play-off showdown.

The Addicks finished fourth in the table after a 3-1 home victory over Burton on Saturday.

The SE7 outfit leapfrogged Wycombe, who lost at home to promotion rivals Stockport on the final day.

Charlton did the double over the Chairboys in the regulation campaign, with their semi-final opponents not picking up a point since their 4-0 loss to Jones’ side at Adams Park on April 21.

The Addicks had to respond to going behind early on against Burton. Mason Bennett scored from the spot after Ashley Maynard-Brewer brought down Fabio Tavares.

But Matty Godden produced two typically ruthless finishes to make it 21 goals since a summer switch from Coventry to put the hosts ahead by the interval.

Alex Mitchell headed in Conor Coventry’s excellent delivery early in the second half, atoning for his underhit backpass which led to the Burton penalty.

Jones’ side have not lost at home in 15 matches – with 12 of those victories – and the Welshman said: “We wanted to go into the play-offs with a bit of momentum and a good performance.

“Secondly, we couldn’t affect the other result but we felt if we won it gave us a good opportunity of finishing fourth – which meant the second leg is here.

“They were two things that were really important to us.

“The play-offs are totally different so results and form tend to go out of the window in these things, it’s why it is such a wonderful game.

“We can go into it with great confidence because we are on a good run and believe we’re a good side when we have everyone fit and we’re at it.

“We didn’t get the best start, which was us shooting ourselves in the foot. But we were pretty dominant early on. We deserved to win today.

“I was really pleased for Matty Godden. I was disappointed he didn’t get his hat-trick but the man has been exemplary from the moment he has come through the door.

“He has been wonderful and then Alex Mitchell recovered from the start he had to score. I was really pleased for him as well.

“We had six academy products on the pitch. That wasn’t token gestures – we picked the strongest bench we could available to us.”

Burton had confirmed their safety after a 1-1 home draw against Wigan in midweek but could not sign off with a positive result.

Brewers head coach Gary Bowyer said: “It was a game too many for us after our exploits throughout the second half of the season and especially Tuesday night – coming here to a wonderful team.

“They were too strong for us today even though we had a good start and got our first penalty since 2023.

“Our lads have been superb – their efforts have been brilliant. What they have achieved, I don’t think the magnitude of that has sunk in with anybody yet.”