Nathan Jones has insisted he was misquoted after appearing to brand Wrexham as a ‘circus’ ahead of Charlton’s trip to the Racecourse.
It’s a match that could decide who achieves automatic promotion into the Championship.
Charlton boss Jones riled up Wrexham with comments made earlier in the weekPAWith two League One matches to go, fourth-placed Charlton are just two points off Wycombe, who occupy the third and final automatic spot.
As for Wrexham, who are four points ahead of Charlton in second, victory over the Addicks on Saturday could seal three consecutive promotions if Wycombe fail to win at Leyton Orient.
While there’s expected to be drama on the pitch, there’s also been fireworks off it in the build-up to the clash in Wales.
Speaking earlier in the week, Jones referenced the furore that surrounds Wrexham as a result of their Disney+ documentary, which follows the club and their Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
He said: “It’s a bumper game, we have to go to the circus and see what we can get.”
It quickly got the attention of Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who didn’t hesitate to give his opinion of the Welshman’s remark.
The 57-year-old stated: “It is a lack of respect to our owners, the team, the staff, the supporters and the heritage of Wrexham Football Club.
“But we will just concentrate on what we’ve got to do.”
With Jones – and Charlton by default – now public enemy number one in the eyes of Wrexham fans, the former Southampton boss has attempted to diffuse the situation in his pre-match press conference.
Looking to avoid a hostile reception in his side’s biggest game of the campaign, Jones said: “On what I said the other day, I was a bit misquoted or misunderstood with mentioning the word ‘circus’.
Jones has caught heat over his ‘circus’ comment when discussing WrexhamRex It led Wrexham manager Parkinson to accuse his counterpart of disrespectGetty“I didn’t mean the club or players or anything there because they are a very well run, excellent club.
“The owners there have done a fantastic job, not only galvanising a club and taking the club forward, they’ve actually taken a community which needed it as well.
“It’s a Welsh community, so one that has heart and they’ve done a magnificent job.
“What I meant was what follows Wrexham around is a lot of pomp, a lot of ceremony, a lot of cameras, a lot of coverage, a lot of scrutiny.
“They’ve handled that very well.
“And I wanted to make sure, that at times that can be a distraction.
Wrexham could seal three successive promotions with victory over Charlton on SaturdayGetty“And I don’t want it to be for our thing, so that’s what I meant with that – so hopefully that clears that little tittle-tattle up.”
Charlton go into their match at the Racecourse in fine form having won six of their last seven league fixtures
As for Wrexham, they are unbeaten since their 2-0 loss at Reading on March 11 – winning five and drawing three.
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