Friday 22 April 2016 19:14, UK
Ahead of Burnley’s trip to Preston on Friday, Adam Bate caught up with Clarets midfielder David Jones to find out what the return to his old club means to him and why he’s on course for a fourth promotion to the Premier League…
What makes someone an expert in promotion? Ian Holloway and Mick McCarthy have each taken teams to the Premier League on two occasions. Neil Warnock has led three clubs to the top flight. But there's a player who can beat that record. David Jones is looking to win his fourth promotion to the Premier League.
The Burnley midfielder isn't about to trumpet his case. He has not masterminded the club's campaign, that honour belongs to manager Sean Dyche. But the 31-year-old is clearly doing something right. He knows what a promotion-winning team looks like and fortunately for fans of the Clarets, he recognises a lot of those qualities in the Burnley dressing room.
"The more experienced you are helps," Jones tells Sky Sports. "I've just been lucky to play for some good managers and some good teams. There's no secret but the common theme I've experienced in good teams in the Championship is the spirit in the dressing room. It counts for so much and is probably one of the most important ingredients in this league."
That spirit was in evidence on Tuesday when the top two met at Turf Moor. With Burnley on the brink of a damaging defeat to Middlesbrough, Michael Keane forced home a late equaliser. The draw means Burnley remain within two points of the leaders but are now level on points with third-placed Brighton. With just three games to go, it was not a game to lose.
"After Middlesbrough scored, we put them under lots of pressure and luckily managed to put one away," says Jones. "They're one of our rivals at the top so it was important not to let them gain any more ground on us," The goal means Burnley still haven't lost in the league since Boxing Day. "It was important to keep our unbeaten run going too," he adds.
Jones was on the bench against Boro, only the fourth Championship game he's missed all season. "I'd have much rather been out on the pitch, but the manager changed a couple of things," he says. "I'm just looking forward to the next big game because they come around very quickly." Particularly given that the next game is on Friday night against Preston.
This is the club at which Jones made his league debut on loan from Manchester United in 2005. From training with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes, he was thrust into a battle for points under the management of Billy Davies and alongside experienced Championship performers such as Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti.
"I can remember really wanting to go out on loan because you could stagnate a bit in the reserves and not get the first-team experience you need to become savvy as a professional," says Jones. "You need to learn how to play winning football in a business where results mean everything. Preston gave me the chance to do that.
"It was a really enjoyable time and I've got very fond memories of the fans and the people there. You learn a lot at a club like United when you're coming through the ranks about how to become a professional. But I also learnt a lot at Preston under Billy Davies. There were also a lot of experienced players in that dressing room and you had to learn quickly.
"A lot is expected from players who arrive from Manchester United in terms of their talent and ability and you have to demonstrate that. You come in from the comfort zone at United to a different style of play and a new way of playing. It was different to what I was used to so it was about trying to be effective. Whatever the style, you have to affect the game."
Jones has been doing that this season. He's provided six assists and thanks to his role as a dead-ball specialist has created more chances (53) than any other Burnley player. A pass completion rate of 84.4 per cent - also a Burnley best - reflects the importance of his sensible use of the ball in midfield.
It's a responsibility he relishes, but the entire team has had to embrace the increased responsibility that comes with expectation. When Burnley were promoted in 2013/14 it was regarded as an unlikely success. Back in the Championship with a bigger budget, the demands are greater. "It is different," admits Jones. "We've evolved as a club.
"There are a lot of things going on off the pitch that are moving the club forward. For example, the new training ground. The expectations from the fans and the town have increased and with the outside factors such as the media, there's more expected of us now. That brings different pressures and a different challenge."
But for all the change, some things remain. Burnley retained Dyche in the wake of relegation from the Premier League and the decision has been justified. "You can see in the way the club operates that it's a reflection of our manager's personality," says Jones. "It's taken time to develop that but he's managed to stamp that all over the team and all over the club."
Dyche has got the big decisions right. The signing of Joey Barton might have been perceived as a gamble but it's been one that has paid off. Meanwhile, replacing top scorer Danny Ings was always likely to be crucial but the signing of Andre Gray has been a triumph - as shown by his 22 goals, culminating in the Championship player of the year award.
"Andre has done fantastically well," says Jones. "He's scored goals wherever he's been and he's been vitally important for us. We needed to replace Danny Ings and while they're different players - they're not like for like - it's still been effective in the way that we play."
Now it's just about finishing the job and Jones reluctantly admits that they are well aware that Middlesbrough and Brighton must play each other on the final day of the season. It means that three more wins will guarantee promotion.
"It is hard not to look at other teams," he says. "But as players we can only really focus on our performances. If we can take care of that then I'm sure it'll be positive for us at the end of the season. There are three big cup finals for us to concentrate on now."
And what would it mean to Jones? "It'd be fantastic to do it again. That's the aim. We all want to challenge ourselves at that level again. That's what the club is geared towards this season." With promotion number four in reach, clearly it's what David Jones is geared towards too.
