I'm ready to make big decisions this week - Jones

Mar 31 2008 by Steve Tucker, Western Mail

BLUEBIRDS boss Dave Jones admits he and West Brom counterpart Tony Mowbray have some big decisions to make ahead of tomorrow’s Championship clash at Ninian Park.

Both clubs find themselves just days away from FA Cup semi-final ties at Wembley, with the Baggies facing Portsmouth on Saturday and Cardiff meeting Barnsley the next day.

But Jones said there will be no quarter given in the league from his perspective and it will be business as usual as far as he is concerned tomorrow night.

“Me and Tony have got big decisions to make because a few days later we’ve probably got the biggest games in the two clubs’ histories for a long, long time,” said Jones.

“My job is a little easier because I have not got the squad he has. So I basically know what we will play, it is just down to what Tony decides to do on the day.

“If I had 25 or 30 players sat at my disposal, maybe you could look at changing it, but I don’t think there are many teams in this division who can do that.

“You might do it if you were Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea, but I don’t think at our level you have the quality of squad to do that.

“Anyway I have always believed that when you try to save players it does not work out, so what you have got to do is go full pelt every game. Just worry about the next one and our next game is West Brom and that is the one we are focused on now.

“After that we concentrate on the Barnsley one and so on and so on. I don’t know any other way to do it.”

Jones is hopeful full-back Kevin McNaughton will be fit to face the Baggies after a hamstring problem, but skipper Stephen McPhail could be a doubt after picking up a groin injury in the 1-0 win over Southampton.

It was a result which still gives City an outside chance of forcing their way into the play-off places and Jones insisted that while there is still a chance his side will be fighting all the way.

The Bluebirds boss was also delighted with his side’s showing against the relegation-haunted Saints.

“We have given ourselves a chance and while it is still possible you keep going,” he said.

“If you do not believe you can do something then that is the end for you.

“It was always going to be a battle against Southampton, we knew that. They were very tough to break down.

“They have good quality players, they are fighting for their lives and were never going to lie down. But I thought we had the clearer cut chances.

“It was a good win for us, an important win and a good three points.”

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