Kenwyne Jones says there's not enough belief!

Veteran striker Kenwyne Jones admits there's not enough belief in Cardiff City's dressing room

Having signed for the Bluebirds just before the transfer window closed, debut goal scorer Kenwyne Jones says his teammates need more self belief.
Kenwyne Jones is determined to add far more than physical presence and goals for Cardiff City in their remaining 14 Premier League matches this season.

The experienced Trinidad and Tobago international believes he has spotted a Bluebirds weakness he can help put right.

“An early observation for me is that the players in our dressing room don’t give themselves enough credit,” says Jones. “There isn’t enough belief in themselves and each other.

“But with new faces in and a win against Norwich City that side of things will improve.

“There are young, quality players in our dressing room and those with more experience, including myself, must do their bit to lift those around us.

“There is character in this team and that was clear against Norwich when we pulled together and earned our win. With a little more belief we can make solid progress.

“This is not every man for himself. We all need each other in our aim to climb the table.”

Jones includes supporters in that, having felt the tension around the stadium after Norwich went ahead.

“The players were nervous, the fans were nervous and that can spread,” he said.

“After Norwich scored it was always going to be tense. But when we scored our goals the atmosphere lifted and helped all of the home players.

“That’s what happens - and the whole stadium was behind us during the second half.”

“I’ve played against Wilf and know what he can do,” says Jones.

“He has been given the chance to showcase his talent and will enjoy that.

“He can be a lynchpin for the team as we work to climb. I’m happy for him.

“Our role is to feed him the ball and give him the chance to show what he can do. Wilf is an amazing player.”

Jones led the Bluebirds’ attack with power and tenacity against Norwich, while he also dropped back to help out in defence at set pieces and won a series of crucial headers.

“That’s what I need to do for the team,” he says. “Every player has to help the team in whatever way they can. We are fighting for our lives and every moment counts. We all have to do what we can for the team.”

Now Jones and his new Bluebirds team-mates are preparing for Saturday’s South Wales derby at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

The 6ft 2ins centre-forward from Point Fortin in Trinidad knows all about derby matches, having played in Sunderland v Newcastle fixtures three times plus Sunderland v Middlesbrough and Southampton v Portsmouth.

And his advice for City players is to focus on the match and not the occasion.

“Of course it’s special because it’s a derby and we understand that,” says Jones. “It’s huge for the fans, but we have to approach it as a regular game, keep our heads and do all we can to win.

“The most important factor is to earn three points. We are working on a game plan and won’t be spending too much time looking at Swansea.

“We will analyse their team, see where we can penetrate and where we feel they have a weakness. But that’s what happens for every match.”

Cardiff are off the bottom thanks to that 2-1 win against Norwich, when Craig Bellamy and Jones were the scorers, and they now play two matches in four days. The trip to Swansea is followed by a home clash with Aston Villa next Tuesday.

And Jones makes it clear he is relishing the challenge ahead for the Bluebirds, saying: “I made the decision to sign for Cardiff because I want to play football. It was nothing to do with money or status. I wanted to play and wasn’t getting a chance (at Stoke).

“At my age I am supposed to be enjoying my football. When the chance came along to sign for Cardiff I made a decision to come down.

“Cardiff still have to play just about everybody in the bottom half of the table. It’s crucial to build confidence and that will help when we meet those teams around us.”

Jones arrived in South Wales after a straight swap deal with Peter Odemwingie was agreed with Stoke.

Stoke paid Southampton £8m for Jones in 2010, but manager Mark Hughes fell out with the striker when Jones said he was unavailable to play against Liverpool and was fined two weeks wages.

Jones didn’t play for Stoke, but says: “Nobody from the club (Stoke City) can say I was miscreant, disrespectful or even on strike as they would like to put it.

“The main reason (for my stand) was for my voice to be heard because they didn’t want to pay attention to me. That’s all I needed.

“I didn’t want to disrupt the squad disrespect the manager (Mark Hughes) or anything.

“Clubs have to come out, say what they have to and keep fans onside. I have no problem with that. My thing is I am happy. In the end I got heard and I am here in Cardiff now.”

Jones and Fraizer Campbell, who played together for Sunderland, are now Cardiff City’s main men in attack now and both are certain to be in the squad against Swansea City on Saturday.

The impact made by Jones against Norwich was just what the Bluebirds needed and now he has the Swans in his sights as Cardiff aim to earn successive Premier League wins for the first time this season.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ts-6672353

It doesn't help when we have idiots of fans getting on club legends backs and giving them grief. We've gone from a club who used to sing 'don't worry about a thing...cause every little thing is gonna be alright' to a club that now thinks its fine to boo club legends and call hometown hero's like Bellamy names for standing by his fellow player.

The players belief will come if the fans get behind them properly. Belief grows within when those externally believe in you.

Agree with above ^^^

Booing individuals is not only unacceptable - but if Kenwyn is right then it will have a detrimental effect on future results

Atmosphere was poor on saturday - nothing to spur the team on.

This wont be the case on saturday due to the Derby - as with all our away games to be fair as our travelling fans always give fantastic support - but we have to make sure as a stadium we produce as much noise and support as possible for the rest of the home games this season

It doesn't help when we have idiots of fans getting on club legends backs and giving them grief. We've gone from a club who used to sing 'don't worry about a thing...cause every little thing is gonna be alright' to a club that now thinks its fine to boo club legends and call hometown hero's like Bellamy names for standing by his fellow player.

The players belief will come if the fans get behind them properly. Belief grows within when those externally believe in you.

We have too many wankers among our support. True fans stick by their team no matter what. People were saying they booed Whitts cos he is lazy and there was a lack of effort. I watched the game back and don't think that is true. He wasn't having a good game but no way can anyone can say he wasn't trying. I'd rather it if those fans didn't bother turning up. We need to stick together and support the team.

Just too many "plastics" who don't know what they're talking about. Bet most of them wouldn't recognise Whitts if they passed him on the street.

I vote the club puts on a church service every Sunday at the ground.

That should sort out the non believers

I vote the club puts on a church service every Sunday at the ground.

That should sort out the non believers

Amen

i hate to come back to it, but i believe part of the negativity around the place is down to Malkys safety first tactics.

Absolutely no body was given free reign to express themselves on a football pitch

i hate to come back to it, but i believe part of the negativity around the place is down to Malkys safety first tactics.

Absolutely no body was given free reign to express themselves on a football pitch

You've done it now Paul....Willy Wonka is going to be on your case as soon as he reads this.

He is infatuated with Malky and Gavin Henson.

I think he is spot on. I believe some of our players who were under MM were limited to do what they wanted. I felt like Campbell weren't allowed to press high up the pitch and put pressure on defenders. Whittingham weren't allowed in the final 3rd really unless it was a set piece.

I think players like John can look at Fabio and Zaha in terms of the way they attack. I think John has the ability to beat players, I don't blame for trying to play safe and be consistent in his job because he pushes forward then comes back, being thrown into the Premier League isn't easy but he is thriving and learning.

I think players like Noone and Bellamy under Ole have been brilliant especially going forward, always looking to push the team forward.

Also some of our players have great ability to carry the team, Mutch with his Yaya Toure alike approach to the game, Noone who is not afraid to pick the ball up and run at the team. Medel who on times can be exceptional on his day spreading the ball into Noone, Mutch, Whittingham.

Whittingham also has brilliant ability and the fans need to remember his ability and how he has been used under MM which has changed him.

I think he is spot on. I believe some of our players who were under MM were limited to do what they wanted. I felt like Campbell weren't allowed to press high up the pitch and put pressure on defenders. Whittingham weren't allowed in the final 3rd really unless it was a set piece.

So true. Whitts needs to be playing off Kenwyne Alex. Then he will be back to his best spreading the play to Zaha and Noone and getting on the edge of the box for cut backs to rifle home shots from the edge of the box where he has the ability to do so.

Whitts is a great player but even players of his quality cant shine when oppressed and forced to sit in front of their own box like he has and mask the defence. He's an attacking minded player, not a defensive one, yet some of our clueless fans think players should be able to adapt overnight like puzzle pieces who just slot in which is laughable...

It doesn't help when we have idiots of fans getting on club legends backs and giving them grief. We've gone from a club who used to sing 'don't worry about a thing...cause every little thing is gonna be alright' to a club that now thinks its fine to boo club legends and call hometown hero's like Bellamy names for standing by his fellow player.

The players belief will come if the fans get behind them properly. Belief grows within when those externally believe in you.

Agree with the sentiment, but I wouldn't call Whittingham a club legend, personally.

I think players like John can look at Fabio and Zaha in terms of the way they attack. I think John has the ability to beat players, I don't blame for trying to play safe and be consistent in his job because he pushes forward then comes back, being thrown into the Premier League isn't easy but he is thriving and learning.
him.

i think John is a perfect example of the type of thing i was talking about. Looks to me to have a heck of a lot of potential but really seems nervous to take people on. he gets forward a lot, but through general play, when 1-on-1 with a full back he always looks reluctant. Hopefully Ole can stamp that out of him

Everythings gonna change now with our exciting new team sweeping away the old guard in a blaze of glory, playing fabulous football, keeping us up, thrilling the fans and generating wonderful support.

Instead of bitching we should all get together and look forward to a brighter future at the club (except for the red shite, but I'm even getting optimistic its only a fad and won't last too long)

I think players like John can look at Fabio and Zaha in terms of the way they attack. I think John has the ability to beat players, I don't blame for trying to play safe and be consistent in his job because he pushes forward then comes back, being thrown into the Premier League isn't easy but he is thriving and learning.
him.

i think John is a perfect example of the type of thing i was talking about. Looks to me to have a heck of a lot of potential but really seems nervous to take people on. he gets forward a lot, but through general play, when 1-on-1 with a full back he always looks reluctant. Hopefully Ole can stamp that out of him

Spot on, I think a few people have noticed. He has the pace and speed, needs to believe in himself. I think Ole may pick up on it and teach him. I think players like Fabio being here are ones he can look at for examples. But then again it plays a part being a home grown player and getting into the team in the PL which he really wants to keep his place and be consistent, but he is allowed to take risks going forward which we haven't seen much of, seen glimpses of it from other players Saturday though.

Also Barnett I agree, people think he is playing is natural position, look at how many shots he has at goal in open play, barely any because he is being played wrong.

i hate to come back to it, but i believe part of the negativity around the place is down to Malkys safety first tactics.

Absolutely no body was given free reign to express themselves on a football pitch

Spot on.