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Jones: Mersey derby is the biggest game of all
Roberto Martinez's № 2 is preparing for his fourth all-Mersey clash when Blue meets red tomorrow afternoon and he says that nothing could prepare him for his first derby 18 months ago.
“I certainly feel a better assistant manager sitting here going into my fourth derby game than I did as a naà¯ve assistant manager going into the first," he says, "because I don't think anyone can ever give you any indication or any guidelines of what a Merseyside derby is until you have experienced it.
“It's like no other football match I have been involved in and we have done FA Cup finals, Survival Sundays and big, big matches — but the Merseyside derby is bigger than them all.”
Jones is all too aware of how easily the occasion can get to the players and he says that the management are going to do their best to keep Everton focused and disciplined as they seek a first win over Liverpool since 2010.
“We know how much it means to the fans and in many ways we have to stay away from that emotion,” he continues. “We need to be calculated and we need to be professional.
“We need to remember at key moments not to get involved in the hysteria and the rivalry. We need to do our jobs and the basics well. On top of the natural ability the players have, we want to put them in a position mentally for them to perform. That's how sensitive it is."
Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo
Reader Comments (14)
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2 Posted 06/02/2015 at 19:39:23
3 Posted 06/02/2015 at 20:14:21
Make a change from Round and his clipboard anyway – speaking of which, what did happen to Round?
4 Posted 06/02/2015 at 20:48:11
7 Posted 07/02/2015 at 01:45:35
8 Posted 07/02/2015 at 02:04:17
9 Posted 07/02/2015 at 05:26:59
"On 4 July 2008, Round became the new assistant manager to David Moyes at Everton to implement the hoof ball tactic" - brilliant.
10 Posted 07/02/2015 at 05:46:09
11 Posted 07/02/2015 at 06:49:41
After scanning the media I got the impression that Gerrard was would be leading a Red triumphal parade around Goodison after first of all walking over Everton players prostrate bodies.
12 Posted 07/02/2015 at 08:55:37
13 Posted 07/02/2015 at 14:43:26
These are the same false fuckers who go on about it being our cup final?
Get wise to it Graeme Jones. ItÂ’s just another game mate, and itÂ’s about time we beat these red nosed delusional bastards!
14 Posted 07/02/2015 at 14:55:38
There is an ideological, robotic aspect to him – bit like Roberto without the smooth charm.
I actually find him a bit scary.
15 Posted 07/02/2015 at 15:10:36
I know it's his last opportunity to referee a Merseyside Derby, but could the real referee please stand up and be counted. Apply the laws of the game fairly and consistently to both sides, you don't owe them and him anything. The most helpfully refereed team in England over the last 40 years don't need any more help today thank you.
I want to be celebrating tonight, I want my fellow blues to be celebrating. Make us proud boys.
16 Posted 07/02/2015 at 15:45:29
David, if our captain Jags or any other of our players was gonna deal with the last merseyside derby, would there be focus on it in the media? I hope we've progressed well at that time, nevermind as long as we know it's one of our owns last game. Speaking of it, it's Distins last game, so if he gets to play, hopefully he will well motivated!
Most of our players are probably motivated to give Gerrard a proper game, ourselves as well, let's get behind them, COYB.
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1 Posted 06/02/2015 at 19:14:10