Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has branded League One promotion rivals Birmingham City’s midfielder Krystian Bielik naive after comments he made about the club being “too good for League One”.
The clash was arguably the game of the day as the undefeated big spending Birmingham City took on Nathan Jones out of form Charlton Athletic at The Valley. The game ended 1-0 to the Addicks ending their oppositions run without defeat.
However, it has been revealed that the victors used comments made by an opposition player Krystian Bielik to BBC WM where he stated that the Blues were simply too good for the league they currently find themselves in.
“We’re League One but I don’t think there are any players in this team who are League One players,”
“All of them are at a higher level. In six months’ time we’ll be a Championship team and a different animal. We stay humble and keep our feet on the ground, and we don’t want to choke on it. But the reality is we’re too good for League One.”
According to matchwinner Matty Godden the quote was “all over the dressing room” prior to the match and was used as additional motivation to push his side to victory.
Manager Nathan Jones expanded on the comments: “It was that they are too good to be in League One. That was an extra bit of motivation. I tend to probably agree with him but it’s very naive to come out and say that.”
Opposite number Chris Davies admitted that he hadn’t seen the comments but understands the challenge:
“I had no idea that he said that. From our point of view, we need to understand that it’s going to be a big challenge and Krystian completely understands that.
“I’m not sure what the interview was or what was said, but he understands the challenge that we face and every game is a big one. That’s what we need to focus on.”
Humble Pie
There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Bielik’s comments crossed that line and afforded his opposition the perfect motivation to beat them. Whilst Birmingham City are indisputably the biggest side in the league, and larger than several Championship sides, they are in League One because they were relegated. No team has a right because they are big, to be in a league they think they should be in. Ask Bradford City if they believe they are too big for League Two.
The season has gone well, and it is more than likely that the side will be promoted back to the Championship, but that does not mean it will be easy and it certainly does not give them the right to be arguably disrespectful to those other sides who are in League One on merit.