"You always have regrets in football." - Dave Jones

The former Cardiff City manager Dave Jones was on the Sky Goals on Sunday this morning, talked about his failure to win promotion, and is rocky relationship with the local newspaper.

"You always have regrets in football. 

"Mine's not being able to go that one step and give them what everybody wanted, which was the Premier League.

"You can look for many excuses, you can look for the reasons why it didn't happen and I'm pretty comfortable with the time I had."I had six good years, I was the fourth longest serving [manager in English football], which is crazy because six years isn't a great deal of time - certainly for what Cardiff wanted to do.

We were always servicing debt. If they'd kept the players we brought through - Roger Johnson, Cameron Jerome Aaron Ramsey and all these players - there were so fantastic players, but each year we had to sell.

"I knew the circumstances I was going into at Cardiff, that they were always going to have to sell to survive. But you sell your best players and for some reason you should be better the next season? 

"To be fair, with the help of some fantastic staff, we did a really good job there and I'm very proud of what I achieved."My only regret is I couldn't take them that one step. People have asked me: 'Why didn't it happen?' I've looked at every reason and every excuse and we just fell short."We just weren't good enough to achieve it."

Love him or loath him you have to agree with Jones we are a selling club and are like to be the same in the near future as well. Without the cash generated by the likes Ramsey and Johnson, where would the club be today? He tried keeping players to help gain a chance of the promise land like Joe Ledley, but that failed Cardif should have sold him when he  did not sign an extension on his contract.

When he did not sign alarm bell should have rung somewhere in the boardroom and sell because he was always going to go. Any player with a year left on his contract who could generate a transfer fee and  does not extend their contract should be sold in my book. Staying with Cardiff did not bring about the desired result and he walks on a free transfer at the end of the season the same with Jay Bothroyd last season who walk mean the loss millions.

Has a Cardiff City fan you can say old Jones has not given us fans an exciting time FA Cup Final, Play-off Final/Semi-Final and promotion battles to spice it up, but never gave us the final spot.He also talked of his problems with the local press namely the South Wales Echo and their sister papers. He branded local journalists who criticised his role in the 1-0 defeat against Swansea City as ‘buffoons and fools who know nothing about football’ at the time he said,

“I’ve been character assassinated, but they didn’t character assassinate me when I won the previous six games,” he ranted at his pre-match media briefing ahead of tonight’s clash at Reading. 

You lose one against local rivals and you are the worst. 

“We lost a football match and we are gutted. We know we didn’t play particularly well, but there was hardly anything between the teams.

“There were no clear cut chances. That’s my opinion. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it seven wins on the trot.”

Today on Goals on Sunday, he said the treatment Stephen McPhail received in a Swansea game that was the cause of their disagreements. but did not play in the last seasons games he was unused on the bench. The season before that he played, he played in the win over our West Wales rivals, but not in the return game. In the 2009/10 season Cardiff played them three times with a Carling Cup fixture and McPhail was shown the red card in two of those games. Jones said today,

"Where did it originally come from? They character assassinated Stephen McPhail in a game against Swansea and continued to do that. 

"I wasn't happy with that and actually spoke to one of the reporters and asked him why - and because they are supporters as well as reporters it's very difficult to give an unbiased opinion. There's a boy who's fighting cancer and I wasn't happy with the character assassination. 

"It didn't matter about me because you get that all the time, but somewhere along the line we lost touch with each other and as long as I kept getting results it was always going to be about results. 

"But when one of them says his ambition is to get me out of my job then why should I speak to them? 

"I never had a problem with any of the nationals and I should have been bigger and probably repaired some of the damage, but once it's done it's very hard to go back. It does upset you when things are said and I don't think they went about it in the right way. 

"If you're talking about regrets then yes, maybe I should have repaired that rapport with them, but sometimes you get stubborn as well."

Bye Dave ... Welcome WHO

Yes he has gone and I can stay I'm unhappy with the news. I was only writing this morning how his report card from last season was an F- for failure. To win around the fans he would need an A+ for next season if he were to stay.

Cardiff's chief executive Gethin Jenkins, said of the official website,

"We would like to thank Dave Jones for his considerable efforts with the club over the past six seasons. He leaves his post in the knowledge that he has left the club in a far better position than when he arrived. Dave's tenure has seen Cardiff City Football Club develop from a standpoint of Championship stability through to becoming regular promotion contenders, while also having taken the team to an FA Cup Final.

"His efforts in the recruitment and development of players also meant that the sale of these players at times enabled the club to survive. He has also had a significant contribution in the development of training facilities and the stadium during his Cardiff City career. We thank him for all that he has done and achieved with the club and wish him well for the future."

There have been plenty of good times with Jones, but the failure to make it great was one of his problems. FA Cup final against Portsmouth were one, but we ended up losers the same with the play- off final losers again. This season we had automatic promotion in our grasp, but it slipped through the fingers of Cardiff and there was this season play-off disaster. Six years was enough, we have been the bridesmaid far too often and not the bride. I wish Dave Jones all the best with is next venture as I don't see him on the beach for too long.

So the speculation over the next manager begins and there will be a host full getting their CV out and giving it a dusting. Some of the likely and unlikely

Craig Bellamy
Chris Hughton
Roberto Di Matteo
Gary Megson
Gordon Strachan
Paul Ince
Aidy Boothroyd
Gianfranco Zola
Alan Curbishley
Hope Powell
John Toshack
Ray Wilkins
Roy Keane
Sam Allardyce
Ryan Giggs

Who would I go for, I would like Bellamy because of his passion you would expect no team of his to sit back and kick the ball around aimlessly, but he has no managerial experience could do the job has coach with an experience boss to learn off. I like the idea of Ray Wilkins who was No 2 at Chelsea for years and has a black book loaned with footballing contacts.

At the end of the day it will be down to Gethin Jenkins and the club's director Alan Whiteley who the club confirmed as leading the search for a new manager. I think a panel of ex-Cardiff City players and one or two members of the supporter's club should do the searching.

Dave Jones sacked

Dave Jones gone …. Yes gone

**** MORE LATER ****

Club Statment

Jones report card, must do better

According to the South Wales Echo manager Dave Jones has been asked to draw up his plans for next season, but that doesn't mean he's got the job. His report card for last season would be an F- for a failure because automatic promotion was his for the taking, but it slip way embarrassingly. For his mock exam this week he will be hoping for an A+ and hope for the same result at the end of next season if he can sell it to the board.

The decision will hopefully happen by the end of the week with the paper suggesting the club is eyeing former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and ex-Charlton chief Alan Curbishley among others has possible replacements.

He has been asked to give the Malaysians an outline budget on players he would like to bring in along with the possible costs fee and wages. It would be interesting to see if Jones plans will depend heavily on loan signings next season if caused some problems last season because of the numbers mainly. He will probably go for free signings and maybe a few transfers that will involve fees.

Cardiff City' chief executive Gethin Jenkins has been in talks with Dave Jones reviewing what many regard has the failure of last season and the plans for next season before the Malaysians and the board decide on their plans. By the end of the week in will be nearly three since the end of the season for Cardiff, but nearly four weeks for our rivals in the Championship next season. While at Cardiff time is standing still other clubs are in the transfer market doing deals that might have interested Dave Jones or any new boss.

One thing for sure if Dave Jones does stay boss he will have a hard time winning around the majority of fans at the club.

No West Ham talks for Jones

                                        

According to the East London Advertiser Cardiff manager Dave Jones has denied he has spoken to anyone at West Ham about becoming the club’s new manager.
The 54-year-old is the bookies’ favourite to succeed Avram Grant at the helm, but today told the East London Advertiser that neither he nor the club have contacted each other.

“I have not had any contact with them over the job,” Jones said.
“I’m not prepared to say anything about the vacancy. I’m still employed by Cardiff City Football Club and only thinking of them.”

Later David Gold said on Twitter: "Despite what you may have read in the papers, we have not spoken to Dave Jones."

Link Here 

Favourite with the Bookies, but fans unsure

Yesterday Sky Sports News has been speculating that Cardiff boss Dave Jones was in talks about taking over as boss of West Ham. Today there rumour is still there, but is not the first time Jones and West Ham have been linked. It when from just talks to agreeing terms, but there is no official word on this story only rumour.

The reason I am giving this story any credence is the well-known fact that the Eastenders find it near on impossible to keep a secret. News always seems to leak out of the porous club. The bookies have to Cardiff boss favourite for the job, but owner David Gold speaking on Sky would not be drawn on the Jones speculation, but did say they were talking to a number of interested parties.

Cardiff is planning a meeting this week to discuss last season failure and what's next for next season. The big unanswered question is the future of present manager Dave Jones will he still be at the club. If he does go there is the question of who would replace him and how long would it take to in stall a new boss. New players are needed to add to the squad has there is a shortage across the board. Any new boss would have his own ideas about players and style of play so there could be more upheaval to what's left of the present squad.

Old sad eyes Dave Jones

In Karren Brady’s football diary in today’s Sun she heaps some praise on Cardiff City manager Dave Jones. So its official the West Ham bosses know who Dave Jones is and with out-of-work managers running a mile when linked to the job could Dave Jones be the answer?

He has worked with Sam Hammam how hard could it be to work with her and David Sullivan.

Tuesday, May 17

OUR frustrations at Upton Park find an echo in Cardiff where the home team lose in the play-off semi-final to Reading.

Dave Jones has been manager-in-waiting for the Premier League for two consecutive seasons and those sad eyes of his tell more of a story than words ever could.

He's considering his future. But not really. At his age, successful managers don't quit although they do fade away. I hope Dave will have another go with Cardiff next season.

Obviously, we are looking for a new manager and Steve McClaren and Gus Poyet have said they don't want the job. But as they haven't been offered it and weren't about to be, it doesn't mean a lot.

Karren Bradys football diary

Time to ponder and take stock

I woke up this morning feeling exactly the way I did when to bed this morning well and truly pissed off big time. I should have known not to get my hopes up after my negative feels towards the game only to be sucked in has the kick off grow closer and closer. By kick-off I was a raving nutcase high on expectation planning next season in the Premiership telling twitter and facebook pals the future is blue, but forgetting Reading home strip is also blue.

If you were a Cardiff fan your game lasted around 25 minutes it would have been nice if a few goals had been scored it could have had a major leaning towards the outcome to the game. Oh there I go again fantasy dreaming again. Once they score I just knew that was it and when the second when in right on half-time I official announced game over.

I was never comfortable with the play-off has people who have read some of my entries on this blog. I was always about automatic promotion and was dismayed at the inability of Cardiff boss Dave Jones and players to secure it especially only a few games before the end of the season it was in our hand to win.

The future now is a total rebuild when the loan, out of contract and unwanted players leave the club there will not be much left, but what of boss Dave Jones future with Cardiff City will he be around to be in charge of the rebuild? Most fans would want to see him go he was back by the Malaysians who help build a squad many outside Cardiff rate for promotion. He has said a few times 'judge me at the end of the season' well I think he has been judged. There are rumours doing the round that he has put his house in the Vale of Glamorgan up for sale or sold it, but he refuted the rumour when asked during an interview.

Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins was on a BBC Wales radio phone-on this afternoon and was asked a number of times about the future of Dave Jones, but he was very non committal leaving the door wide out for speculation. Jones told the press,

"I have to take stock of my career and my life and what I do.

"It might not be a decision by the owners. It might be my decision.

"I will assess it and if anything is to be done it will be done in the cold light of day. It will be a calculated decision I will make. They might say yes and I might say no - or vice versa.

"I don't know what's in the heads of Vincent Tan and the chairman. It's time for me to take stock as well as them."

Like most fans I am calling for new blood at the manager's desk, but what concerns me at the top table of the club there is a lack of football knowledge. The Malaysians have no football experience and admitted themselves they are on a steep learning curve in running a football team. The rest of the board a dominated by Rugby people even the Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins is from the world of the egg shaped ball. Can the fans relay on them to get it right or will they stick with the man already in place for another season.

Rumour Mill ticking over

The season is not yet over with a one game to play and the possiblity of another to play, but the rumour mill keeps going on. There are a few rumour surrounding Cardiff players with free agent Jay Bothroyd sparking the most interest. He is after Premiership football but will he get the chance with Cardiff.

The Scottish press revealed that the Celtic boss Neil Lennon was at Reading with a striker in mind and watched Reading striker Shane Long and Jay Bothroyd. There seems to be nothing better for the Celtic boss then a freebie for out of the Cardiff City squad. He has already snapped up Joe Ledley and added young defender Adam Matthews who heads north at the end of the season, could Bothroyd be next. The under pressure Sunderland boss is also keen for the Cardiff striker it was reported early in the week and it article also mentioned wages of round £30,000 a week. He is now being linked with Serie A club Lazio for a summer move and not unknown territory for Bothroyd have spent a few seasons at Perugia earlier in his career.

Another player who could be moving again is loan midfielder Jason Koumas. His future with is parent club Wigan is unclear with his future with Cardiff also up in the air. Division One club Sheffield Wednesday are keen to sign him according to the South Wales Echo. His chances while with Cardiff have been limited due to a combination of fitness/sickness/injury and the number of loan players Cardiff City boss Dave Jones had to jiggle. The Cardiff boss can't really make decision about players until he knows which division they will be playing in.

Rumour and counter rumour is also surrounding the future of Cardiff City manager Dave Jones. he is again being linked with West Ham if the Eastenders are relegated it could be the end of present boss Avram Grant who it rumoured would be shown the door. The hierarchy at West Ham are under pressure with an enormous debt round their necks and see Jones has a boss who can build a team on a limited budget. He is nearly aways linked to vacant jobs that come up with teams in the lower reaches of the Premier League

Furious Jones blasts boozed-up 'unprofessional' Cardiff players

Daily Mail By John Edwards Last updated at 11:00 PM on 3rd May 2011

Dave Jones tore into his Cardiff players yesterday after discovering they had been out drinking less than 48 hours before the crushing defeat that cost them the chance of automatic promotion to the Barclays Premier League.   >>>>> Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1383280/Furious-Dave-Jones-blasts-Cardiff-City-players-boozy-night-out.html#ixzz1LKhzBXii

Can Jones keep hold of Ramsey

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is still hoping to do a deal with Arsenal and keep Aaron Ramsey a while longer. Ramsey is due back with Arsenal after the Hull City game is boss at Arsenal Arsene Wenger said in the press a few days ago that he wanted is player back.

His (Jones’) ‘cunning plan’ is to see if they will go with a new deal where they could call Ramsey back with 24-hour call-back basis. The Gunners picked up a number of injuries in mid-weeks game against Stoke so it keep be a non-starter him staying on another short loan deal. If Wenger is planning just to call him back to occupy the bench surely it would be better for him to play regular first team football.

Wenger is reported to want his star midfielder Ramsey to be in his squad for the Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Leyton Orient on Tuesday. However, he can’t play in the return tie because he was unavailable for the initial tie. It is bound to frustrate the arsenal boss

Cardiff boss Jones said:

"We're trying to work with Arsenal to see whether we can have him a little bit longer, maybe on a 24-hour call-back."

"We've put our case and I'm sure they'll put theirs.

"But he is an Arsenal player and we knew the situation and they've picked up a couple of injuries so whether that affects the decision or not, we'll wait and see.

"If he's going to go back and just sit on the bench then that's no good for him so I'm sure we'll try and come up with a solution.

"But that will be Arsenal's decision and whatever they decide will be fine with ourselves."

Ramsey to stay? waiting on Arsene

Well that not a surprised if it turns out to be true, Cardiff City boss Dave Jones wants to keep Aaron Ramsey and extend his one-month loan deal. According BBC Sports website is reporting that Jones will talk with the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to see if a deal could be done.

The ex-City player has been a hit since his return to Cardiff but is due to return to Arsenal after next Saturday’s game at Hull City. Wenger is on record has saying he wants Ramsey back in his squad before the end of the season. It would be beneficial for him to stay at the moment, if he was to turn to Arsenal it would be more than likely he would be fighting to get on the bench.

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones on Ramsey said:

"I don't think he's at the fitness levels to go back to Arsenal yet, then I'm going to say that because we want to keep him.

"He's enjoying himself here. He's with us for some more games and we will see where we go from there.

"Aaron's doing well. It will be down to Aaron and Arsenal themselves to see what they think and where he's at. But if we can keep him then fantastic."

He could miss the Nottingham Forest game tomorrow with rumours he is carrying an injury after the mid-week Burnley game. Boss Dave Jones will give the player a late fitness test to see it he will be fit to play. Before joining the Bluebirds on loan he also spent time with Forest on the road to fitness.

City boss takes another pop at the fans

I can believe Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is blaming Cardiff fans for the losing out on Bolton defender Andy 0’Brien. There was never anything official from the club but rumours, and there are always lots of rumours.

Dave Jones said, “There are always possibilities, but it is difficult at the moment because what I’m looking at, everyone else is looking at.

“That is why we moved so quickly for big Parky, because there was a lot of interest.

“I probably lost Andy O’Brien because the famous message boards and everything else alerted Leeds that we were talking to him. We probably could have signed him on the day, but they stepped in and took him away from us. But we’ll just keep looking.”

O’Brien was at Leeds on loan at the time and Leeds wanted to extend the loan to the end of the season anyway. Bolton would have told Leeds of the interest from Cardiff. Jones himself said there were our clubs interested and they would have talking to Bolton probably. O’Brien must be about the only player at the top end of the football tree without an agent.

Far from the being outed by Cardiff City fans on message boards maybe the Cardiff boss should look to the player maybe. From a interview he gave to Sky,

"I got the impression Cardiff liked that I had the guts to do everything myself without an agent.

"What I wanted to do was be up front all the way through and not mess about behind anyone's back. I like to think I did that.

"Cardiff came in with an offer and the first thing I did was ring Leeds and telling them exactly what the deal was.

"There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing and then I said to Ken Bates 'If you offer me what Cardiff have offered then I'll sign.'

"That is what happened. Personally, it's a relief to have sorted things out. Two months ago, I was scratching my head as to where my future would lie.”

 It looks like the deal was never going to be an exclusive, Leeds were always going to be in there with a shout.

Jones steals a march or is it just rumours

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has been quick off the starting line when it comes to the January transfer window according to the latest rumour sweeping the internet. It looks more than likely he got the march on other managers by snapping James Vaughan from Everton. The two clubs have agreed the player is happy to sign a two and a half year contract. So everyone will have to wait until Saturday to see if a done is deal.

Vaughan has been on loan at Crystal Palace and they would have liked to have made his loan deal a permanent deal, but the asking price was too much.

Hull City were thought to be in front runners in Vaughan signature with a rumour they would pay the one million asking price and offer the player £16,000 a week to keep him out of Cardiff hands. In today’s Daily Mirror there had Hull pulling out after it was suggested Everton had put a £2m price-tag on the striker.

Tonight there is nothing official and I don’t expect any until he has signed. City manager Dave Jones will not be happy if the rumour is true they would still be a chance that the whole deal could be gazumped. He will not be a Cardiff player until he signs a contract.