Souness Wishes Jenas Good Luck - JJ Also Comments

By Matt Jones
December 31 2005

Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness speaks of his former midfielder, revealing once again: "We were reluctant to let him go."

GRAEME SOUNESS: "JJ has the potential to be a top midfielder, and we wish him well.

"We were reluctant to let him go, we really didn't want to lose him, but he pushed and pushed and really wanted to leave.

"The pull of playing with some of his old team-mates from Nottingham Forest was enormous for him, and I think he fancied a change.

"It was his decision and unfortunately we lost him, but that's football.

"We did everything, the chairman did everything to keep him here, but he wanted to leave."

JERMAINE JENAS: "I don't feel I have got anything to prove to anyone. I left Newcastle for purely footballing reasons and just want to enjoy my football and keep going well for Tottenham.

"It had nothing to do with Souness. I know what my personality is like and I just felt I needed a fresh start. I had a good time, but I felt I'd hit a bit of a ceiling. The club and myself had gone as far we could. I felt I needed to develop quicker, and Spurs could offer me that under coach Martin Jol.

"I have no doubts that this has been the best move for me. I am thoroughly enjoying myself here.

"It will be great for me to see a few of the old faces from Newcastle. But the most important thing is getting a result for Tottenham and coming away with a win.

"It is important that we try to stay in the top four come the end of the season. We have got a good squad of players and need to stay in the mix over this busy period of games. It will be great if the club strengthen the squad in January.

"If you look at the league, the top sides have all got big squads that are able to deal with the amount of games that are thrown at them. If you have a big squad it certainly helps come the end of the season."