Jones will use G-Force to be a star
30 October 2005
By Andy Rose, Wales on Sunday
HE'S
an athletic box-to-box midfielder with a powerful engine, excellent
distribution, playing in red and with an eye for spectacular long-range goals.
Remind you of anyone?
Well he may not exactly be Steven Gerrard but Wrexham's very own midfield dynamo
Mark Jones is finally showing the sort of consistent form that could and should
push him into the frame for John Toshack's next Wales squad.
The 22-year-old bears more than a passing physical resemblance to the England
superstar, plying his trade up the road on Merseyside - and that even stretches
to a similar style of play on the pitch.
Jones has overcome the inconsistencies which plagued his game last season to
become a vital cog in the heart of the Dragons midfield - a role he also hopes
to one day fulfil for his country.
How far off his big chance is remains to be seen but Toshack's stated intention
is to blood his youngsters between now and the start of the next qualifying
campaign in 11 months time.
Up until now he has had to content himself with a handful of appearances for the
under-21s and a spot on the substitutes bench for the senior friendly against
Slovenia in August.
But Wales youth boss Brian Flynn certainly believes his former Wrexham protégé
is ready to make the step.
"I have known the kid since he was 12 but he is really starting to blossom now,"
said Flynn who oversaw Jones' development while manager at the Racecourse and
now again at under-21 level.
"John Toshack likes good footballers and Mark is certainly one of those.
"He has lots going for him. He is good in his link up play and can get you a
goal. Defensively, he has to improve and become more aware of his
responsibilities but that type of thing can be picked up easily enough.
"The good thing for Mark is that he is now a permanent fixture in the Wrexham
side and I have no doubt he will learn plenty from that.
"He is not going to be the Welsh Steven Gerrard but I can certainly see
similarities in some of their attributes.
"I hope that Tosh uses him as soon as possible. The more youngsters that get in
his squad, the merrier."
Jones has already netted seven times this season and was only denied another at
Bristol Rovers last weekend by a lick of paint on the post.
His progress is being noted by a number of higher league clubs with even
Premiership Blackburn said to be monitoring the Rhos-born youngster.
Former Liverpool boss Roy Evans has dealt with plenty of talented youngsters
during his 30 years at Anfield, with Gerrard chief among them.
Now working as Toshack's right-hand man, Evans believes Jones' first senior cap
could be just around the corner.
"I don't think you should compare players and say that so and so is going to be
the next Kenny Dalglish, or whoever," he said.
"Everyone is different and will develop into their own player but he is
progressing well at the moment. Mark has a lot of talent and caught our eye
during a get-together we had in San Sebastian earlier this year.
"But he has a lot to prove still, just like a lot of the other youngsters."