Charlton coach explains decision to bench Sichenje against West Brom

Charlton Athletic head coach Nathan Jones opened up on why he opted to start Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje on the bench in their match against West Bromwich Albion.

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Sichenje was missing in the starting line up when the two teams met in an English Championship match on the night of Tuesday, 24 February at The Hawthorns.

However, the 22-year-old was introduced in the 35th minute when Lyod Jones suffered an injury to make his second appearance for the club.

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Speaking to the club’s media after the match, the Welsh manager was put to task to explain benching Sichenje.

“We lost Lyod Chamberlain, who should not really play. We could not play Collins because of the second game in three to four days, since he has not played football. So again, you know, those things, the massive disruption before the game,” said Jones.

Sichenje helped Charlton to battle out to a 1-1 draw with Lyndon Dykes scoring in the 70th minute to restore parity after George Campbell had given West Brom the lead in the third minute of first half added time.

Despite not securing maximum points as intended, Jones was happy with his side, noting the quality in the opposition ranks.

“We did not. It was a bit of a basketball game in the second half. We showed a moment of quality and scored, but we did not have any control in that game, and that is not how we train. We train, and we work, and we do stuff.

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So all these things, you know, and as I said, this level is brutal. It's tough, tough, you know, it's good players. I mean, you look at their squad, their squad's fantastic. They have got a fantastic squad when you look at it. So for us to be competing, I would be disappointed that we only come away with a point. It shows that we are not in the worst place,” he added.