Managers ahead of Wolves v City

Last updated : 10 March 2006 By Michael Morris
The man who took Wolves to the Premiership returns to Molineux as manager of Cardiff City. He's hoping to follow the success he enjoyed as Wolves boss by repeating it with City.

Speaking ahead of the massive clash on Saturday Jones said of his return

“It’ll be a strange experience. We had some great times but I’m simply trying to get three points off a team who want to be where we want to be.

“Glenn’s got a job to do and he knows just how big it is because of the expectation and history of the club. Now, after having been in the Premiership, they want more of the same. The parachute payment runs out this year, so the finances of the club will be affected and they need to get back to the top flight.”

Pre match Jones is sure to get a warm reception from the fans. He was the man to get them up from the Championship after nearly two decades of trying. Once the game kicks off though the home fans will only have a home win on their minds. They booed their team off on Tuesday after a goalless draw with Stoke. Cardiff have to frustrate the crowd and turn them against their own players.

When asked about his Cardiff City side Jones said

“I wouldn’t say we’ve over-achieved because you don’t know how far some of these players can go. The criteria was to stabilise and stay in this division while the business plan was passed to get the new stadium built. People who know me, though, realise that wouldn’t be enough for me. Now we’ve got an opportunity, we’ve got to go for it.”

Glenn Hoddle in the meantime is hoping he can win the crowd back

"We performed poorly on Tuesday and the fans let us know," said Hoddle. "But we are big boys, we can look after ourselves. We have to show a lot of character to go out and play in front of the same crowd again but I am sure if we play well they will get behind us.

"People talk about a black cloud around this place - well if there is what we need is for everyone to move it because it doesn't help if that cloud becomes magnified.

"We need to do that with results, but people outside the camp who don't think we have a chance should be thankful that inside we are still very much focused on getting into the play-offs."

On Jones' return he said

"Getting three points is what we are focusing on, not Dave coming back. But we'll have a chat and a beer after the game."