Jamie Jones has spoken to www.rochdaleafc.co.uk after joining Dale on loan until the end of the season…
The 26-year-old goalkeeper recognises there is competition for places with Josh Lillis and Johny Diba already at the club, but says his aim is to push for the spot between the sticks.
“I’m not one to sit in the stands or on the bench, so as soon as I wasn’t playing after 20 games [at Preston North End] I wanted to get out play football. Coventry provided that for me and now Rochdale are doing the same, so I’m just going to go out there and do my best. Hopefully performances will give the Gaffer no choice but to pick me.”
He continued: “I know a few of the lads in the team – Calvin Andrew, Stephen Dawson and Ian Henderson. I’ve also played against Rochdale three times this season and had a win against them in the cup with Preston, as well as a draw against them with Coventry just a couple of weeks ago, so I know the club well and I’ve played against a lot of them [the players] for a number of years now. I just can’t wait to get started.”
Jones was in net for Leyton Orient last season as they embarked on a journey to the League One play-off final.
With 16 games still to be played this season, he says momentum is key during the remainder of the campaign, if Dale are to continue pushing towards the top end of the table.
"Momentum is the main thing - you need momentum to take you into the play-offs and we’re only four points outside there at the moment with a game in hand. There are a lot of teams pushing for that sixth spot so I don’t see why we can’t get that with the players that we’ve got, the manager and his staff, and all the fans here. We can all push together between now and the season and get where we want to be.”
Jones is expected to meet up with his new team-mates on Friday, before travelling with the squad to Bristol for Saturday’s match at Ashton Gate, a venue where Preston North End claimed all three points while he was still at the club.
“I’ve already been there this season and won," said Jones. "Hopefully we can go there on Saturday and do the same. Bristol City are expected to push away with the league now and I want to stop that with Rochdale.”