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Skinner's Re-View Thursday 20th April 2006 by Simon Skinner
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First up in March was a game against Jones’ former club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Having already made a couple of decent saves in the game he produced stunning double effort in the last ten minutes to earn Rangers a point. His first save from Aliadiere was special but the way he sprang up to deny Cort was astounding. I gave him my Man of the Match award on the strength of that alone. Next was a trip to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday and Jones was at it again. Yet another double save and a string of equally spectacular efforts again secured a point and again saw him get the Man of the Match award. Brighton were next up and Rangers should have won the game comfortably against a terrible side. Jones hadn’t had anything to do until Bignot inexplicably headed the ball past him leaving him helpless to intervene. The visit to Cardiff City was another easy day for Jones as the Bluebirds attack didn’t manage to test him seriously throughout the ninety minutes thanks to some solid defending. The same could not be said for the following game at home to Stoke City when the defence had a nightmare. Jones was once again forced to fly all over the place in an effort to prevent us getting absolutely creamed. As it was he wasn’t able to stop Stoke scoring twice, once from the spot, and Rangers succumbed to a very poor defeat. For his sterling work he picked up his third Man of the Match award in five games. Jones has been a terrific signing for Gary Waddock and whilst he hasn’t been able to mould the rest of the side as he would have hoped he must be chuffed to bits with the veteran keeper. Had it not been for him the fans could have been even more sceptical about his full time appointment. I have no doubt that if Jones still had the power in his legs to kick the ball a long way he would still be a Premiership keeper as he has lost none of his shot stopping ability or reflexes. Well done Jonah.
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