Jones faced the music

What would he say?
By Joe Sharples
May 22 2002

Dave Jones last night faced the music from 300 wolves fans in a question and answer session arranged by the club. Who would he blame? What would he say? You'll also be priveledged to get my views on it too. You dont like that? TOUGH!

Speaking at the forum hosted by Tom Ross of BRMB/Capital Gold, Dave said, "There`s no hiding from the fact that we got ourselves into a good position and we should have done it (won promotion). This team should have got us there".

"But no player and no member of the staff wants go out to face 30,000 supporters and not try. Everybody was well prepared and everybody wanted to give it their all.¡"

The manager told the audience how hurt he had been by the club`s failure to reach the Premiership but argued that lots of progress had been made in the time he has been at the club. He said, "I am so angry with me and with them (the players) and I keep thinking and trying to analyse,should we have done this, should we have done that?. I`m very critical of myself and I`m the first person I look at when we don`t get a result because I want to be a Premiership manager.

"I am hurting but I will keep drumming it into the players that I want to be in the Premier League because it`s the best place to be. I know that because I`ve been there. I won`t get over this until we achieve it."

Dave revealed that some of his players had offered to attend the forum and reacted angrily to a suggestion from one supporter that the performances towards the end of the campaign were `gutless`. He also refuted a claim by another that he lacked passion. He responded by saying: "I find the use of the word gutless offensive. We were not gutless."

"As for lacking passion, what I have to say I do at half time, in the dressing room or on the training pitch. I am not a ranter and raver and I can`t change that. But ask any of the players whether I`m passionate or whether this has hurt me.¨

The boss denied that he had put up a "wall of silence" since the end of the season but said that he had needed a few days to get over his anger and, in addition, there were issues he would not discuss publicly.

"There are certain things that can`t be said because I still have to deal with being the manager of this football club. I am the one in the hot seat, I am the head of the football department and I will take the flack."

Dave, also answered questions on tactics, his coaching staff, issues surrounding Ludo Pollet, Kenny Miller and Shaun Newton, the club`s youth policy, and the future of Jo Lescott.

Jez spoke about the tears he witnessed in the dressing room after the Norwich match, the club`s bonus structure and the potential to find future "gems" from Football League clubs offloading players as a result of the ITV Digital collapse.



Basically, it seems that Jones hasn't really figured how it went wrong. Although great credit should go to the man for standing up to over 300 hundred Wolves fans and answering there questions and accusations. Jones in my opinion has the character to succeed and will give his all to make sure we do.

He defends his players and does not mention names even if he thinks that certain players have let him down, it is clear to see that he cares and is moved to help Wolves move forward.

The man has been through a hell of a lot in the past two years and is a fantastic bloke who gets through against all the odds. Go on Jonesy get us up and let us stay there!!!

Next Year Champions!!!