Sky Bet Championship: Brighton assistant buoyant; Charlton disappoint Riga
Assistant head coach Nathan Jones believes Brighton are in a "fantastic position" after the 3-0 win over Charlton.
Last Updated: 12/04/14 7:12pm
With Reading not in action until Monday, when they are at home to newly-promoted Leicester, Brighton took advantage with goals from Jesse Lingard, Leonardo Ulloa and substitute Jake Forster-Caskey lifting them into the top six.
The Seagulls had lost their previous two home games and Welshman Jones was relieved they did not slip up having, at times, struggled against sides lower in the table.
Jones was delighted that his men, fresh from their revitalising 4-1 victory at promoted Leicester in midweek, made a fast start and he said: "We came out of the traps very quickly in front of an outstanding crowd and getting the early goal was vital.
"In a few games, opposing teams have nicked goals at the Amex so it was pleasing to get a second. We look to play possession football and have a cutting edge.
"With four games to go, we are in a fantastic position."
Brighton now boast 19 clean sheets in the league - the most in the Championship - and former Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren had little to do on his return to the team in place of illness-hit Tomasz Kuszczak.
Added Jones: "If you can keep a clean sheet and then take a chance you will invariably win the game. We just have to keep winning.
"We can't play Reading or Leicester now, we are just looking forward to our trip against Huddersfield on Friday."
Jones believes his players can sustain their play-off push, and said: "We've got a good squad and we always play with belief. We are continuing it from last season."
Charlton head coach Jose Riga is seeking a reaction from his players for Tuesday's crucial home game against Barnsley, with his fourth-bottom side only a point clear of the relegation places.
The Belgian said: "I know we have weaknesses and some difficulties in scoring, but we have some good players and qualities and we must show them on Tuesday."
Charlton clinched a 3-2 home win over Yeovil in their previous game and Riga added:" Today it was certainly not the Charlton we saw on Tuesday in our win against Yeovil.
"But I knew before the game that we have spent a lot of hours travelling this week and that it would be difficult.
"Yet I am not here to complain, I am just here to find a solution and we have to think that we are still able to find a way out of it."
Charlton had recorded five clean sheets in their previous nine games under Riga and the head coach stressed the importance of a strong back line to aid their battle against the drop.
He added: "We need some clean sheets. We can do better than this result and must be focused on the future. We can be better.
"We have the most games left of the teams at the bottom, we have young players and need to find some balance in the team."
