Planet Swans ArchivesThe Cardiff City manager comes face to face with Swansea City for the second time this season lookimg to secure the victory that could move his team four points ahead of his hosts.
The two teams go head to head at 11.15am on Sunday at the Liberty and Jones insists that despite his team’s supporters being outnumbered 10 to 1 by the Jacks, he hold no fears about the level of noise that will surely grace the Liberty.
“Less than six months ago, we played in front of 100,000 people (in the FA Cup final). I don’t think the atmosphere will intimidate the players,” he told the Evening Post.
“We’ve played in front of many big crowds — 100,000 people, 20,000, 40,000, 50,000.
“I think the atmosphere will enhance the players because you want to play in full houses with lots of noise.
“I’ve played in a Liverpool-Everton derby when there was 50,000 people there. And I was at the Swansea one where there was 16,000 or 17,000.
“Atmosphere-wise there was a lot more noise in the Liverpool, Everton derby because there were a lot more people there.
“Discipline in these kind of games is important,” said Jones.
“Players were flying in and making silly decisions last time because they got carried away. You still have to be controlled, no matter what the game.
“It’s a local game with a lot of passion and everything else. We’ve just got to make sure we play the game and not the occasion.
“We know we didn’t play well last time, so we want to make that right.
“All derby games are about bragging rights and the players know what it means to the fans.
“I’m sure if you miss the players you count on week in week out it’s a loss, but it’s always someone else’s chance
“That’s why you have squads. I’m sure Roberto will have someone to replace him (Bodde) unless he’s going to play with 10.
“We know it will be tough. Swansea are a point behind us in the league, they’re doing just as well as us so it’s an important game for everybody.
“We know we didn’t play well last time. Roberto’s side did and that’s why they got the win.
“The last time we were on TV (against Plymouth) we didn’t perform, but if you’d watched the (Reading) game the other night, first half we were outstanding.
“Hopefully it’ll be more of that rather than how we did against Plymouth or Swansea the last time.”
