Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has been making headlines ahead of his side’s meeting with Wrexham on Saturday.
Wrexham host Charlton in the late League One kick-off on April 26, with a lot of the line for both teams.
The Red Dragons can win promotion to the Championship if results over the weekend go their way.
But it is a huge game for Charlton as well, who know they remain in with a very small chance of securing automatic promotion if they win their final two fixtures.
Ahead of the tie, the Addicks boss has been making headlines and landing himself in hot water with fans.
After Chalrton beat Wycombe Wanderers 4-0 on Monday, Nathan Jones called Wrexham a ‘circus’.
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Nathan Jones praises Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds
Phil Parkinson hit back at Jones in his pre-match press conference this week, saying: “It is a lack of respect to our owners, the team, the staff, the supporters and the heritage of Wrexham Football Club.”
Meanwhile, Wrexham fans tore into the Charlton manager for what was described as a ‘dumb remark’.
Now, speaking in his own pre-match presser, Jones has been quick to backtrack on his ‘circus’ comments and also praise the work done by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
He said: “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,” added Jones as he clarified his earlier comments.
“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. At times that can be a distraction, and I don’t want it to be for our thing, so that’s what I meant – hopefully that clears that.”
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Wrexham will be fired up for Charlton clash
Jones may have moved to clarify his comments on Wrexham but his words are already likely to have lit a fire in both the players and the supporters.
James McClean wants the Racecourse bouncing when the two teams meet on Saturday and the Charlton manager’s comments are likely to rile up the crowd even more.
Wrexham fans know how big this fixture could be, and the atmosphere in the ground should be electric.