Mansfield Town

The centre-half made the switch to One Call Stadium during the summer on the back of 39 appearances for the Aggborough outfit last term and believes now is the time to kick-start our season. 

“Each time we hear about our defensive record it makes us cringe,” said Jones. 

“We need to improve at the back very quickly. We have already conceded far too many sloppy goals at crucial times, which have put us on the back foot. 

---

“The best thing we can do at the moment is knuckle down, work hard and put the effort in. The sooner we can turn this around, the better for everyone. It hurts us as professionals when we lose football matches.” 

The 25-year-old has also revealed that there was a quiet and reflective mood on the team coach on the way from Tuesday night’s defeat at Gateshead. 

Jones continued: “We all felt dejected after the Gateshead game and didn’t talk much on the coach on the way home.  

“It was a very quiet journey back and we had the day off yesterday to reflect. I didn’t do much personally and I don’t think many of the other lads will have done either. 

“But now we’re back in training today, desperate to put things right and start doing things how we should be doing them.”

Jones, who scored our consolation goal at the International Stadium on Tuesday, is no stranger to the One Call Stadium having made 27 appearances for us during the 2009/10 campaign.  

He also believes the current squad of players are thoroughly capable of turning things around.

“We have a great set of lads at the club who work hard every single day in training. Now we must take that onto the pitch and show what we can do,” said Jones.

“During pre-season results went our way and things didn’t really go wrong, but now our resolve and spirit is being tested more because everything isn’t going our way like it was then. 

“My message for the supporters is to ask them to please stick with us. Nothing is won or lost after only two games and we are doing all we can to turn this around.” 

Our next game after Saturday’s trip to Kidderminster is on August 25 when we entertain Hyde at One Call Stadium.