Conor Coventry dropped from squad as Charlton woes continue
Conor Coventry is struggling for form at Charlton. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Charlton boss Nathan Jones has defended his decision to drop recent signing Conor Coventry from their matchday squad as the London club try to find some relief from their miserable run of form.
Former Ireland U21 cap Coventry had high hopes for his January move to Charlton from West Ham with the midfielder hoping to earn the game time he was denied at his Premier League club.
Having made his debut as a sub in a defeat at home to Peterborough, Coventry started four of the next five games, Charlton without a win in that time, but he was not even on the bench for Tuesday’s game at home to Lincoln City, a 1-1 draw, with fellow Irishman Louie Watson also dropped as Charlton slumped to fifth from bottom in the League One table.
They are without a win in 16 games in all competitions and Jones is their fourth manager in seven months, including a stint as caretaker for former Ireland man Curtis Fleming who was replaced by Jones.
“They are just tactical decisions. We have got a big squad and a lot of games coming up. People put in big shifts and not everyone will be able to do every week, so there will be some tough decisions,” said former Luton boss Jones, appointed as Charlton manager last month.
“We can only pick 18. If I could pick 25 then brilliant – but we can’t. I’ve got some difficult decisions and difficult decisions week in and week out – but that’s what I get paid for.”
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 14th February
Meanwhile, former Sligo Rovers striker Aidan Keena has been told not to let his head drop after his goal famine with Cheltenham Town extended to 32 games.
Keena, who joined Cheltenham from Sligo last year in a club record transfer fee, was under scrutiny after his failure to find the net this season as he was linked with a return to the League of Ireland in the last transfer window, and there was more agony in a midweek game at home to Blackpool where his side won 2-0 but Keena saw a penalty saved.
"Keeno is great, I love the kid," manager Darrell Clarke said. "He has big kahunas and you need big kahunas to be a footballer. He's having a tough time, but life is tough at times and football can be tough. I have no doubt in my mind Keeno is a first-class player. He's just having one of those stages."
"I was really pleased to hear the fans getting behind him because he will come good, without any shadow of a doubt. We have good centre forwards working hard for the team and Keeno is in there. We were all praying for the penalty to go in, but a weak mentally team then folds don't they and feel sorry for themselves.”
