'One of the best in 20 years'

Last updated : 26 August 2003 By Site Staff
The Alex played excellent pass and move Brazil style football and played Walsall off the park for most of the match.

Dario told crewealex.net that the performance was magnificant:

"It was a terrific game of football by two excellent sides, who played the game in a skillful and clever way and who possess great ability.

"They played well but I thought we deservedly won the gamebecause we created the better chances. We hit the post and had some other good opportunities and I thought we were magnificent and everybody played well.

"We have never played successfully like we did against three at the back before but we do so tonight because we have intelligent flank players who can defend. We all know Kenny is an excellent player but Ben Rix was fantastic for us tonight and I think he's having an excellent season.

"We didn't go man-to-man on Merson and I thought we handled him very well."

On Jonah's winning goal --

"Steve had worked really hard and he was in the right place at the right time. It was a good shot from Kenny, because we have said to him that maybe he is being too clever around the penalty area and to shoot more against a small keeper, and he did that and hit the bar. I don't know if Jonah got the final touch or not but I don't care really.

"Deano was magnificent as well. He should have scored when he hit the post but considering he was so poor at the weekend it was a remarkable transformation tonight.

"If he continues to play like that then he'll be on his way because he will become a real player. He worked hard tonight and was still running after 90 minutes.

"I thought our performance was excellent and it's one of the best since I came here and one of the best games as well. I shall stay up long into the night watching the video!!"


Meanwhile Steve Jones, who scored the winning goal, has told the team to step up a gear as the season gets under way;

"We know there are no easy games against anyone in this division. We know that we must step up a gear at home this year. We really need to improve on last's season home form and pick up as many points in front of our fans as we can.

"If somebody had told me when I was at Leigh that I'd be playing First Division football and international football I wouldn't have believed it. This is a dream come true and I'm determined to be successful this year. I was delighted with the goal."