Graeme Jones will not underestimate Michael O’Neill as he believes his old team-mate is ‘the perfect man’ to mastermind a Stoke survival mission – he just hopes his old friend starts after tomorrow night’s relegation six-pointer.
The Hatters boss also admits his men are “not out of the woods at all, in any way shape or form,” despite Saturday’s remarkable late comeback victory against fellow Championship strugglers Wigan, lifting them four points above the drop zone.
The Potters, however, have been mired in the relegation places all season, which is why they sacked former Luton boss Nathan Jones last month.
They experienced an initial bump in fortunes when O’Neill took over the Potters’ hotseat, winning his first two games, but they’re now on a three-game losing streak and sit seven points behind the Hatters, second from bottom.
The two managers played together at Wigan and St Johnstone in Scotland and Jones said: “I wouldn’t underestimate that character, at all, because I know Mick and he’s a fighter and a really, really intelligent boy.
“I consider Michael O’Neill a friend. He’s someone I played with at Wigan and St Johnstone. He’s somebody I really respect and someone who’s company I really love. I hope I enjoy his company tomorrow night after a positive result for Luton Town.”
A month ago, Stoke tempted O’Neill away from a hugely successful period as Northern Ireland boss and Jones knows that international experience will benefit the Potters.
“He’s used to being the underdog, because Northern Ireland were,” the Hatters chief said, adding: “He’s used to competing against better international teams than the players he had and he’s used to getting football results.
“So, where Stoke are in the league, it’s December 9 and they’re down the bottom and they’re in trouble. They need to fight to get out of their situation and, for me, they’ve got the perfect man for that, who understands that.”
But Jones is concentrating on getting another performance like against Wigan and Charlton.
He said: “The boys know all about Stoke City Football Club because we’ve had a meeting today, and I’ve got absolute respect for Michael and Stoke, but I’m interested in us.
“It’s not about who we’re playing tomorrow, it’s about us performing. If we perform we’ll get a positive result, I’m absolutely certain of it, so it’s a little bit of us-v-us again.
“Our standard is high and we want us to be ourselves, the way we played at the weekend, under difficult circumstances, so that’s where I’ll be measuring our performances tomorrow.”
Jones will wait until the 11th hour to assess left back Dan Potts who hobbled off after 20 minutes against Wigan with a groin injury.
“We’re still assessing him,” Jones said, adding: “He’s a little bit sore down there so we’ll have to see where he is tomorrow, so hopefully he’ll make the game.”
However, Town will be without the services of Martin Cranie as Jones said: “He’s looking out for a bit longer than we first thought, which is a bit disappointing because he’s a key player, Martin. It’s how it is but you’ve just got to get on with it.”
