Bristol City will want Nathan Jones revenge after brutal ‘ambition’ criticism in Luton clash

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Bristol City will welcome Charlton Athletic to Ashton Gate for the first time in almost five years this weekend, and the Robins have a point to prove to Addicks manager Nathan Jones.

Jones has praised Bristol City plenty of times in his past meetings with them, with Luton and Stoke – but Robins fans are likely to remember the Welshman’s brutally honest assessment of them in 2021.

Both sides have had a flying start to their respective campaigns, with new City manager Gerhard Struber masterminding a 4-1 win over Sheffield United and a 2-0 victory over MK Dons in the Carabao Cup.

Recently promoted Charlton, meanwhile, netted a late 1-0 win over Watford on their second-tier return before beating Stevenage 3-1 in the cup on Tuesday night.

With another big clash on the horizon, Jones may regret previous comments he made about the opposition.

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Nathan Jones questioned Bristol City ‘ambition’ back in 2021

In 2021, City hosted Jones’ Luton Town in the Championship, with the home side breaking the deadlock in the second half through Nathan Baker.

However, it was The Hatters and their manager who were celebrating at the final whistle, after now-Charlton coach Danny Hylton scored a dramatic equaliser in the 91st minute to make it 1-1.

Speaking after the game, Jones admitted he thought his team should have been out of sight by the time Baker found the back of the net, as he called out the home side for ‘slowing’ down the game.

“There was no flow in the game, so we had to create that,” he said. “Every time the ball went out, they [Bristol City] had to slow it down, move everyone across, get the towel out.”

“If I’m honest I’m not sure Bristol City showed masses of ambition throughout the game.”

It’s likely Bristol City will want to ensure there is no room for queries around their ambition this time round.

Bristol City and Charlton’s recent head-to-head record

The two sides haven’t played each other since 2019, following the Addicks’ relegation to League One.

The south Londoners lost 2-1 in the last minute at Ashton Gate in October 2019, before beating the Robins 3-2 at The Valley on Boxing Day.

The Championship sides have played each other just six times since 2010 and have only ever faced off in the second tier in that time.

Charlton have won three of those meetings, with the Robins claiming victory twice and the other fixture ending in a 1-1 draw.

Given both sides recorded the joint fifth highest number of shots on match day one – albeit Charlton converted one goal and City scored four – it should make for an exciting encounter.