In the second part of our interview with Mike Jones he spoke first about the impressive partnership he built up with fellow midfielder Luke Joyce as the pair bossed the centre of the park through the first half of the last campaign.
“I really enjoyed the partnership I built up with Luke at the start of the season,” he confirmed. “People were saying it brought out the best in him, which was good to hear, and if it’s getting the best out of both of us it can only be good for the team.
“When you’ve got your two central midfielders at the top of their game it’s only going to benefit everyone. The first half of last season was great but it means nothing unfortunately. We haven’t got any medals to show for it, there isn’t anything to show for it, and we’re still in League Two.
“No one remembers half a season. People remember if you go up or you don’t. The start was great but it didn’t last and we need to make sure that collectively we sustain it next season. There were some highlights during last season but I think everyone will be able to tell with what I’m saying that I’m just generally disappointed with how the season ended up going. We should be playing in League One next season.”
“My end of season meeting with the gaffer was positive,” he told us. “He told me he just wants the same from me next season. He wants me to come back and give him the same level of performances, and that’s my plan too.
The first half of last season was great but it means nothing unfortunately ...
“We’re both on the same page so it’s up to me to come back with the same hunger, which I know I will. I’ll come back and do my job, I know what he’ll put around me and hopefully we’ll have an even stronger team.
“My main aim is obviously to play more games but I would like to add more goals as well. That was probably the thing that was missing last season, even though I was playing in a little bit of a deeper role. I thrived on that, I really enjoyed it, and I was helping the defence out more than I probably ever have.
“I’ve always scored goals at previous clubs so to only get one last season was disappointing. I’ll certainly be trying to improve on that next season.”
