Dave Jones Talks About The Game

Last updated : 22 April 2012 By Thetashkentterror

Dave JonesOwls boss Dave Jones spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield and his club's official website after his side's 2-1 League One win over Carlisle at Hillsborough, Jones saying it would have been a travesty if the Owls hadn't got a stoppage time winner :

 

"It was lively, I think it would have been a travesty if we had come away with just a point because of the amount of chances we had. Their keeper (Adam Collin) has had a really good day today and we just didn't think it was going to go in. Then you are always worried on the touchline because I don't think Stevie (Stephen Bywater) has had anything to do in the whole game and when the free-kick comes how does he (Miguel Angel Llera) get out of the way of the ball?

"He is not even a yard away and he has blasted it and the referee (Simon Hooper) then gives a free-kick, and you are just thinking is it going to be their day? It got a little ricochet, could have gone anywhere, their lad (James Berrett) has drilled it in, a good goal but our response was superb after that, we kept going, we kept playing and we kept the ball alive.

"JJ (Jermaine Johnson) has got to square it for one of our chances, he knows that, but, listen, everybody makes mistakes and you have just got to get on with it. Nobody is perfect out there and anybody who thinks they are is kidding themselves. So, we all make mistakes, he should have rolled it, he knows, because if he scores then everybody says great goal, but he didn't so he will come in for a lot of stick on that.

"But, we still created enough after that to have won the game comfortably. I think we have created 20 chances today so I don't know how sharp we have got to be, when you have got a 6'4 goalkeeper pulling off save after save it is just one of those days. So, we are creating and I thought evey time we attacked we looked like we were going to do something.

"Certainly in the first-half if we had come in 4-0 or 5-0 up then I don't think anybody would have been surprised after that performance. Some of the chances we missed were tap-ins, their keeper had a stormer of a game, last ditch tackles, but we went at them and we went for the jugular and it nearly came off for us in the first-half. We just need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal."

 

 

"The pleasing thing for me is that the players kept believing and kept doing the right things and didn't just chuck it in the box. We did keep trying to get around the back of them, because that is where we thought we would get the most joy, and that is where the goal came from. I think Michail (Antonio's) shoulder just started to deaden on him, so if you think about a dropped shoulder to send the lad the other way then it already was, but it was a good finish.

"The chances that we created well before that should have put the game well and truly to bed. Nobody wants to see a red card but when Michail got brought down I think it was a decision that the referee didn't want to make, and the easy one is not to give it. I can't understand it because I have looked at it and the ball is on the left-hand side and Michail is inbetween him and the player (Liam Noble), if that is not a foul and a sending off then I don't know what is.

"So, I don't know how you don't give it, but that is what he decided. But, that wasn't the defining moment for us, it was chances missed that should have made it comfortable. But, I can't really remember Stevie having anything to do because it was all one-way traffic, and I think maybe they thought that they had got the point, but we kept going.

"Michail is a bit sore and he will be for a few days, but I have just said to him now that we can inject his shoulder and kill the pain, it will probably take about 20 yards off his throw. He is going to be stiff and he will probably have to drink with a straw or something for a few days as he won't be lifting anything. But, he is a young boy and a strong boy and I am sure the medical team here will work on him, so we will see how he goes.

"I had my last year with Cardiff and Swansea when it was like this, they are all exciting times, I think every season I have been in for the last 12 years there has always been something at the end of it. So, I am used to it, that is why I am grey. Sheffield United are still in the driving seat though because they are above us and they have got their point advantage, and they have got the goal difference as well, so they still have that."

 

 

"I said to the players before the game and after the game, if we had come in and not kept going and had drawn that game, and then found out that United have lost then we would have kicked ourselves. I didn't know the score during the game, didn't want to know the score, it was just about us keeping pushing.

"I was thinking about putting more forwards on and bringing full-backs off, because I didn't see a point being any use to us, I would rather not have the point, it was three points we wanted and we got it. But, you can lose your shape making changes, I just thought we were creating enough from what we were doing.

"Sometimes changes can take your rhythm away, I think we had the rhythm and the momentum, it was just hopefully someone was going to have that composure and put the ball in the back of the net. I thought when Keith (Treacy) came on though he did well and he has been unlucky not to be playing, we have got lots of players coming back now which is great for us.

"I thought the supporters were magnificent and the noise, I think after six or seven minutes when the noise vibrated around the ground because I think Sheffield United must have conceded. Then just all through the game they kept going, and listen, they are going to get a bit nervous and sometimes a pass will go astray. They stuck with us, you heard the odd one but there was no sort of mass groan and get the ball in there. I think the fans are appreciating the way we are trying to play it and it is good.

"I think everybody played their part today because when the six minutes went up the roar that went round and the lift it gave everybody, and we are all in it together and that is the way it has got to be, and I have got nothing but admiration for everyone in the stadium today, supporters and players. Confidence-wise the players are enjoying the training, they are enjoying what we are trying to do and it is coming together."