Jones unworried by Derby loss

Clough looking to future after Derby secure victory

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 2nd May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Jones unworried by Derby loss

Jones: No play-off concerns

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Cardiff manager Dave Jones believes his side's 2-0 loss at the hands of Derby will not affect preparations for their play-off semi-final date with Leicester.

City take on the Foxes after finishing the season in fourth and fifth place respectively, but the Welsh club slipped to a disappointing defeat at Pride Park.

Jones fielded a much-changed line-up to the one that has propelled the Bluebirds into promotion contention, with no fewer than nine changes made.

But the City chief defended the selection and refuted suggestions the setback would hamper his side's chances against Nigel Pearson's team.

He said: "We had 10 players out injured in the stands, but I thought we did okay for an hour. This was a nothing game really, it was just a matter of not picking up any more injuries. Thankfully we have managed to do that.

"One or two players had a run-out and that was important, but there is momentum with the football club and this result doesn't mean a thing.

"There is a confidence about the football club, but there is not an over confidence. We know what we have to do and we will be working hard to try to do it. In the play-offs it all comes down to if you deserve it."

Grounds for optimism

Derby manager Nigel Clough predicted a sunny outlook for his team as they rounded off the campaign on a high in front of a packed out Pride Park.

The result saw the Rams better last season's 18th-place finish and helped them end the campaign in 14th with 56 points.

And Clough was happy with the return offered by his team, who he feels are in a strong position to kick on up the Championship table next season.

He said: "It was a lovely way to end the season. Although there was nothing at stake, we played some decent football, scored a couple of good goals, got some youngsters on the pitch and finished with a win.

"It's an improvement on last season. We have a higher league position and more points, so it represents a little bit of progress.

"We have also managed to get a little more off the wage bill at the club and the average age of the squad is coming down as well, so there are small grounds for optimism.

"But we feel we are a better side than 14th and we will be looking to get in the top half of the table next season."

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