Charlton Athletic sent Premier League message by Nathan Jones amid Reading warning

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones spoke more of his intentions since arriving at The Valley this week in his first press conference as manager on Thursday. The Welshman had spoken to the club's media channels this week but faced journalists in the hot seat ahead of this weekend's relegation clash with Reading.

The 50-year-old took over from Michael Appleton this week after Curtis Fleming had led the side on an interim basis. The Addicks are in a crisis run of form, having not won a match in 14 fixtures and now teeter just one point above the relegation zone in 19th place.

This weekend's visit to 20th-placed Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium will be Jones' first match in charge of a side since being sacked by Southampton in the Premier League 12 months ago. Having dropped back down to League One, the manager shared his belief that Charlton can climb the leagues in a similar way to his previous club, Luton Town.

Jones said: "I worked for 30-odd years to get to the Premier League, it didn't work out, fine. I've got two choices, do I give up or go back on that journey? I'm back on that journey.

"It was important to pick a club that I could get back there with. If Charlton in four or five years' time are back in the Premier League, no one would see it as out of the realms of possibility. It's been in the Premier League, it has Premier League infrastructure but that's only good if we can get the results to get us back there. First and foremost we have to get the results this season then we will build in the summer and see if we can get back there."

The Addicks boss also shared his praise for the Charlton supporters, 3,000 of whom are set to make the trip to Berkshire this weekend. However, Jones warned that his project wouldn't be 'built in one week' and acknowledged that his side could be left trying to take positives if a result doesn't go their way.

He said: "Without being flippant, you do expect it [away following]. They are a good group of fans. 3,000 have turned up in the past plenty of times. It's a great fanbase and a working-class fanbase, I say that with the greatest of respect as I'm working-class myself. I'd like to build them something they can be really proud of.

"Saturday - if we win the game, draw the game, or lose the game, it wasn't just built in one week. I'm hoping for a real reaction from the players and a positive one. We're four days into building something, so it's important they see certain things they can relate to and see where we're going. Then we can build it from there."