Interesting piece by the fat one

‘Nearly man’ Dave Jones must go
by Steve Tucker, Western Mail
May 19 2011
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AFTER Cardiff City’s shambolic end to the season at the hands of Reading there are surely few who do not accept a wind of change needs to blow through the club.

It was a gutless showing from too many of the Bluebirds’ players on the night, but let’s face it, far too many of these highly-paid stars seemed to have been sleepwalking through the last part of the campaign anyway.

It was ultimately a disappointing season from a group of players who, in individual terms, were a cut above what the rest of the Championship had to offer.

But, whatever the lack of commitment or endeavour on the part of those actually on the pitch, one man must be held responsible for Cardiff’s latest catastrophe and that man is Dave Jones.


Unlike fellow managers such as Swansea City’s Brendan Rodgers and Norwich’s Paul Lambert, Jones singularly failed to mould a coherent team from the riches at his disposal.

By the end of the season it was apparent Jones could no longer even motivate his side in any meaningful way also.

Sure, the players let him down, the debacle of individuals out drinking just before their massive clash with Middlesbrough showed a distinct lack of respect for their manager, but it happened on Jones’ watch so he too must be culpable.

When we reflect on Jones’ six years at Cardiff it will be seen as a time of major transition.

From a club training on university playing fields to one ensconced in its own excellent training ground. From a club whose ambitions were to hang in the second tier to one expected each season to be challenging near the top.

Many good things have happened during Jones’ reign with the run to the 2008 FA Cup final a personal favourite and a high spot for Cardiff supporters in general.

But that is done now. When Jones is judged on his time with the Bluebirds he will be seen as a nearly man. The person who hopefully prepared the way for the big time, but was finally unable to deliver it himself

Jones became a victim of his own failings in the end.

His tactical inflexibility, a stubbornness so strong that he would proceed with a course of action or with faith in a player despite the beliefs of everyone around him or even the evidence of his own eyes.

But the main factor that has done for him is perhaps the one he will be best remembered for at Cardiff – the collapse of his sides at the end of the season.

It would be fair to say too that, despite his notable achievements, Jones has barely endeared himself to many in South Wales.

His constant references to “you lot round here”, his taking of the siege mentality to limits hard to find a parallel for in the modern game and, yes, his alienation of the media outlets from which Cardiff fans get the majority of their information, have all finally conspired against him.

It would also be fair to say that, especially since the departure of former chairman Peter Ridsdale, Jones had become just too powerful at the club too. There was barely a decision or area of operation that Jones did not have a say over and seemingly no one around him, right up to those in the very highest of positions, with the ability to rein in his excesses.

Jones gave those around him very little breathing space and as he has now failed he will not be expecting to be offered any himself.

Jones is old school, Jones is history. His position now completely untenable with the vast majority of fans unwilling to countenance the idea of him reaming at the club a second longer.

The important thing is that Jones is removed from the club in as cheap and quick a manner as possible.

The next manager in must be allowed as much time as possible to stamp his mark on the squad and it is going to be tough.

For all the improvements Jones made down the years, the one thing he has not left behind is too much of a squad for next season.

With Jay Bothroyd and Chris Burke out of contract and a whole batch of loan players set to go, the next Bluebirds’ manager will have a major rebuilding job to do.

Perhaps, of course, this is an attraction too. The chance for a new boss to very much stamp his mark on things. Perhaps too the fact that next year’s remit might simply be to sustain the club in the Championship whilst momentum is built again will help maters too.

The funny thing is that Jones has been at the helm so long at Cardiff now that despite his regular failure there is trepidation amongst fans, a fear almost, about what the future might hold when he is relieved of his duties.

We are actually talking about many teenage Cardiff supporters who only have hazy memories of what the club was like before Jones was in charge.

Personally I see the future at Cardiff as a bright one with the Malaysian investors, who backed Jones all the way this campaign, looking set to keep their interest in the club and to keep pushing for the big time.

The big decision, of course, is who should now be brought in and, as usual, supporters will all have their differing views on it.

For what it is worth I personally would love to see Craig Bellamy at the club next season in some sort of playing and coaching role.

Perhaps with an older experienced head alongside to help and guide him.

If I do think back on the season just gone, the presence of Bellamy in the Cardiff ranks is the one golden memory I will always have. His flair, his attack, his real passion for his hometown club.

Bellamy has vowed to be here next campaign and, as he has already proved, he is a man who keeps his word.

The future is always unknown and a little frightening, but I do believe Cardiff can step into it with real hope and with their dreams very much ready to rise again.

f**k me, actually agree with the fat tw*t for the first time ever! What the smeg is going on

Thought he summed up the jones era pretty well,without being vindictive.
Lets hope we see him writing about the end of the jones era soon.

for all tuckers faults that piece perfectly sums up the jones era.
the only thing left out is jones unexcusable attitude towards younger players with matthews as an example

Sh!t I agree with an article in the Western Mail, I'll be watching rugby next!!

Seriously, a pretty perfect assesment of Dave Jones' time in charge.

good article suprisingly, agreed with almost all of it

The fat one pays back with interest Nice one Tucker

I could not have written it better - absolutely spot on and written by Tucker as a CARDIFF CITY FAN IMO not as a journalist.

great article and i should imagine Tucker relished every word!! He, along with many others, was 100% right all along and i hope those who slammed him will finally see that! The one thing people constantly forget is, he is a journalist, not a CCFC propaganda machine! He is there to sell papers and to uncover things that are going wrong, and right!

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Superb piece and very truthfull

dont think davey boy can use that artical as a propaganda piece against him, i think tubbys given a good account and given praise where due.

good read, and true to life, sadly

Bit rich of an Echo "journalist" to call someone else a nearly man though

The only thing I like about Tucker is that he seemingly likes Morrissey.

Fair, balanced article on the outside, but is it really any different than a collage of all our opinions?

Fair, balanced article on the outside, but is it really any different than a collage of all our opinions?

That's all it is is a glorified messageboard post.

Fair, balanced article on the outside, but is it really any different than a collage of all our opinions?

That's all it is is a glorified messageboard post.

And a bloody good one

dont think promotion is on the cards next season with a new manager it will be a re building year to many players will have left but who am i bring it on oh yes please joneysy go now

but is it really any different than a collage of all our opinions?

No but he gets to write it and have his name and picture next to it.

I'd glady sit next to him on the train on the way to an away game or in the pub before the game as he is only saying, as you say, what we all are generally saying & written as a fan on this occasion.

At least the fat one and terry can expect to see invites to the press junkets now