Politics Or Good Management?

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 27/11/2003

PHIL Jevons has spoken out today about being left out of the first team. In seven reserve games he has scored 9 goals and feels he is ready to be given a chance to show what he can do. So far he has only played a total of 13 minutes, twice being brought on as a substitute.

In the Grimsby Telegraph today he said; "It's been frustrating because I've been waiting a long time. I feel like I'm flying. I don't know what it is, but I feel like I'm buzzing. Everything has been sorted out and I feel fitter and stronger with every game."

"I'm just waiting to get my break but there's nothing I can do. I'm doing all I can, and that's performing in the Reserves and getting goals. I just hope that I can get my chance and take that form into the first team. I want to produce the goods for them."

"I've been waiting for it for a long time and I feel I'm ready now."

"I haven't played in the first team for a long time and it's a couple of years since I was a regular. I can't say if I'm a better player now because it's been so long. I won't be saying stuff like that. But I feel I've developed more as a person. I think I'm a stronger character now." Jevons may be forced to reassess his future if he continues to be frozen out.

"That's a big concern of mine, being out of contract at the end of the season. If, come January or February, the situation is still the same then I'm going to have look at it. I've got to look after myself in the long run, but hopefully that's a decision that I won't have to take. Hopefully, I'll be in the first team by then. I want to prove myself and prove that I'm worthy of getting in and staying here long term."END

Billo says:

I personally haven't seen Jevons play except on video and I am mindful of the comments made by Paul Groves about the much lower standards in the reserve games, but one cannot help thinking that if we have a player capable of knocking them in, then he at least deserves a chance considering the performances some of our front men have displayed this season and if Boulding were to suffer an injury, we may suffer another long goal drought.

I might be thought a cynic but I cannot rule out the thought that the exclusion of Jevons is more politically motivated rather than based on his ability.

He would not be the first player that has been treated badly by the club.

Sitting on the bench and not being called upon is a waste of resources. If he is not going to play, Groves should leave him off the bench, put someone else on and let Jevons go on a free to pursue his career elsewhere.

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