Feature Interviews, Features
The Midweek Interview with Sarah Jones
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on August 31, 2011
Sarah Jones is one of the larger than life characters in the Gills Ladies dressing room.
In her short time with the Gills she has turned in some impressive performances, been ridiculed about her dress sense and won rave reviews with a video diary. What is clear is she has a great sense of humour and is a massive asset on and off the pitch for the team.
Looking back at the start of the season last weekend, Jonesy said: “It was really surreal in the changing rooms before the QPR game, to think that all the hard work put in pre-season was all for that opening fixture and it was finally upon us. I’m not normally one for nerves but I’m not going to lie, I was feeling it a little.
“Obviously going 1-0 down wasn’t what we’d anticipated, but we all dug in to turn it around and take all three points (with a little help from Deanna Cooper LOL!).
“We went into the Brighton game full of confidence, but either they got off to a good start, or we were just slow to start!
“Luckily the weather was windy so Farms scored a fluke from a corner haha but it was disappointing that we let two set pieces cost us the game. A game which should’ve ended a draw as a fair result in my opinion.”
It is something of a concern for the coaching staff and something that Jonesy can’t work out either just why the Gills concede so many goals from set plays.
She added: “I can’t put my finger on why we struggle to clear our lines on set pieces, nobody likes heading a ball (not exactly what you want to hear from your centre half!) But I think we just need to make sure we’re organised, know our roles and make sure we do everything possible to get a touch on the ball or make it hard for an opponent to get a clear shot at goal.
“It’s a positive that teams aren’t breaking us down in open play; I think the bottom line is if we can limit the number of set pieces conceded we wouldn’t have to worry about the recurring problem of successfully defending them!”
In the first two games of the season Jonesy has played with Deanna Cooper and Laura East in the middle of the defence, not that she minds who she plays with.
She added: “No it doesn’t affect me to be honest because they all know what they’re doing and I tend to concentrate on my own game, making sure I’m in the right positions etc I try and command from the back and give information to people if I feel it’s going to be a constructive comment, but I’d do that regardless of the personnel around me.”
The Gills are won one, lost one heading into this weekend’s game against Colchester a position Jonesy thinks the Gills can build from.
The 20-year-old said: “We’re sitting in a good position in the table, it’s unrealistic to have expectations of winning every game in the League, it was inevitable that sooner or later we we’re going to drop points.
“It’s not ideal that’s occurred two games in but hopefully we can use today’s defeat constructively in the build up to next weekend to try and get back to winning ways.
“Colchester is a massive game next weekend. We must look to get a positive result especially as it’s at home, we need to utilise how large the Chatham pitch is to our advantage by keeping the ball and sustained possession, making it hard for our opponents to settle and get in the game.
“If we can have a good week’s training I believe we will put on a good performance after today’s disappointment.”
Jonesy became somewhat of an overnight sensation following her video diary debut, so would she fancy a career as a presenter one day?
“HAHAHA I’d actually love to be a radio DJ, but if there was a presenting job on offer and the price was right I’d consider. Although I’ve still got a year at uni, there’s no guarantee I’ll a) pass and b) find myself a job afterwards!!!”
