Nathan Jones is relishing Saturday's meeting with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Blades reappointed Chris Wilder on Monday following the dismissal of Rubén Sellés after losing all six of their fixtures so far this season.
"What we come up against on Saturday will be a rejuvenated Sheffield United, but that’s what we have to cope with," said Jones. "It was always going to be a tough, tough game and we’re looking forward to it, because it’s a wonderful game. It will be a wonderful atmosphere there and that’s the thing we’ve got to handle as well.
"You know what you’re going to get from Chris [Wilder]. I know Chris very, very well and ironically he was in our hotel at Wembley and I had a good conversation with him. He came and saw me after their game and then I saw him in the foyer on the morning of our play-off final. Me and Chris go back a long time, we’ve got mutual friends and we’ve come up against each other a lot. There’s a real mutual respect there."
Asked if Wilder’s return to Bramall Lane complicates his side’s preparations, the gaffer said: "We always preach that we’ve got to best the best versions of ourselves and if we’re the best versions of ourselves then that’s all we can ask for. Does it complicate it? You don’t know. They were always going to need a bounce anyway because the previous week they lost 5-0. We always seem to catch teams when they need something to change drastically, so we’re starting to get used to that now. It was a very difficult game anyway because they’re one of the best sides in the league with one of the strongest squads. They’re in an extremely false position at this point in time, but all we can do is concentrate on us."
Jones also provided an update on the fitness of Luke Berry, Will Mannion and Matty Godden.
"The three are a lot closer," explained Jones. "[Luke] Berry’s the closest, then [Will] Mannion and then probably [Matty] Godden but we’re talking minimal time between the three. Hopefully we can start getting them back out. Apart from that we’re in real good shape."
As the club celebrates the EFL's Youth Development Week, Jones was quick to highlight the incredible work done by the Addicks' esteemed academy.
"We’ve just had the report back and we’re seventh of all the clubs in the 92 for academy productivity," he said. "We’re top in the EFL, we’re top in category two, we’re top in so many things. All I’ m trying to do is continue the fine history and tradition of producing fine players, and this club does it. We give players a pathway and a platform, and that’s what this club’s built on. We’re very proud of that and we want that to continue."
The Addicks return to The Valley on Saturday, September 27th to host Blackburn Rovers. Click here to purchase your tickets now!
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