8th November 2000  

Jones for the chop?

GOALSCORING hero Paul Jones is fearing the axe for Athletic’s match at Stoke City this weekend. The 22-year-old defender is favourite to be left out when the influential Shaun Garnett returns from suspension. Jones was back in the team against Swansea on Saturday, playing his first game since being dropped for a loss of form six weeks ago. That was a rare setback for the Scouser, who had become a fixture in the squad since his free transfer from Leigh RMI this time last year. Jones celebrated his recall with a strong performance, plus the bonus goal which earned Athletic a point. It was his first strike of the season and the second of his career following last season’s winner at home to Wigan. But manager Andy Ritchie is a big fan of Garnett, who looks sure to go straight back into the side after his one-match ban for five yellow cards. Ritchie believes the 30-year-old brings organisation to his defence. 

And that, plus his experience, could be vital at the Britannia Stadium. Garnett is set to resume his partnership with Scott McNiven after the pair teamed up successfully in the win at Bristol Rovers. It was the only time they had played together at the heart of a back four - and the result was a first clean sheet away from home. McNiven is still playing on a week-to-week contract after turning down a permanent deal back in February. But he remains central to the plans of Ritchie, who believes he is too good a player to ignore, whether he is unsettled or not. Other than Jones, the only man whose place is at risk after the 1-1 draw with Swansea is striker Mark Allott. Craig Dudley is pushing Allott all the way, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench against seventh-placed Stoke. 

Stoke Sentinel

Gudjon Thordarson has vehemently defended his role in a controversial touchline tussle with opposite number Kevin Wilson during Stoke's clash at Northampton last night. The Stoke boss angrily grabbed Wilson and shoved him back towards his own dugout in a potentially-ugly flashpoint towards the end of a highly-charged 2-2 draw. Thordarson was furious with the referee for ignoring a challenge on Bjarni Gudjonsson and appeared to vent his anger on the bewildered Wilson. He later claimed he was keeping Wilson out of his designated area in front of the dugout, explaining: "My technical area is marked out and supposed to be for me and my staff, not the other team. "I put a complaint to the fourth official to handle it, but he didn't."

Wilson complained: "People will see he manhandled me. I don't take kindly to it and it would be nice to have an apology." But he said he wouldn't pursue the matter and later shook hands with Thordarson as they passed one another in the press box after the game. The City manager is already in possible hot water with the FA after being banished to the stands 11 days ago for arguing too vigorously with a fourth official. Thordarson, meanwhile, said he had no complaints with the 46th-minute dismissal of Wayne Thomas last night for a reckless tackle from behind when the score was already 2-2. City stepped up a gear thereafter and looked the likelier to win the game despite being a man short for so long. "I have mixed feelings," declared Thordarson. "I'm a bit disappointed we did not win, but relieved we got a point after being down to 10 men. "We were disciplined, kept our defensive shape, everyone worked hard and players were making themselves available for whoever was on the ball." He studiously avoided any public criticism of the referee except to say: "There were a lot of things on the pitch I wasn't happy about."