The former Luton Town manager was derided at Southampton, but he is now poised to face the Blues after coming at The Valley.
As he prepares to face the League One leaders, Nathan Jones insists Pompey will not be intimidated.
However, the Charlton manager conceded that League One will present ‘brutal’ tests for him and his new team after coming at The Valley.
Jones returned to the Blues’ London rivals earlier this month after an 11-month absence from the game following his dismissal at Southampton.
The Welshman was mocked during his 14-game reign along the M27, during which Southampton lost seven of their eight Premier League games over a three-month period as the club plunged to the Championship.
Jones’ strange comments included praising his credentials as one of the finest in Europe and criticizing his own club’s fans, with one fan holding out a large P45 before his dismissal as things became heated.
The former Luton Town manager is now back, and after losing to struggling Reading, he earned his first point at home to Lincoln on Tuesday night.
Charlton now faces the daunting task of taking on the division’s top three sides in the next three games, beginning with a trip to Bolton and followed by Pompey’s visit to south east London in nine days, where the traveling fans are sure to chastise Jones.
The Addicks then go to Derby, but the 50-year-old is looking forward to what lies ahead, despite the strugglers being only one point clear of the League One relegation zone.
Jones told the South London Press, “We will build on that (his first point). We can’t change what the opposition does. It’s three terrific examinations in which we’ll improve week after week.
‘The results will be what they are, but as long as we improve, we will be okay.
‘I noticed a clear change in intensity (against Lincoln) and how we performed since Saturday. If we can maintain that level of improvement week after week, we will be a successful team.
‘They’re all challenging games; this is League One. It will be tough at times. Games will differ, but all we can do is build; we face who we face, and we approach each game with respect but no fear.
‘They (Bolton) are really strong, but we need to be disciplined and perform well. We must first excel defensively before posing a danger in possession. We have good players as well.
Jones returns to the game with the immediate job of stabilising a Charlton team, but the outspoken character believes he is up to the task.
He told Charlton’s official website: ‘I’ve had 11 months off, where I’ve relaxed, recuperated, paddle-boarded, and had a lovely life sipping wine at 2 p.m. I’m ready now, and every day this club will get that energy to move things ahead.
