Article: Chris Nokes

With Cardiff flying high in fifth position in the Coca-Cola Championship ahead of the promotion clash with Sheffield United at Ninian Park on Sunday, Dave Jones has told the press he has been delighted with the player's level of performances over the season but has now asked for one more thing - to do it again but better! Dave was speaking to the press in an interview that can be seen in full on Cardiff City World.

"I've said many times that I don't set the standards at the club, the players do." Dave insisted. "The problem is now I expect more of the same and better. It means I know the team can play very well and I don't want that for just forty five minutes or an hour, I want it for the full ninety. But there is an excellent work ethic here, one of the best I've ever experienced, and they push each other to the limit which is fantastic".

The last Cardiff result was another positive one for the Bluebirds boss with a late Ross McCormack penalty sealing victory for the home team over Watford at Ninian Park. Dave was full of praise for his Cardiff team on the night who were playing against a full strength Hornets side who were on a good run of form heading into the game.

"The game was tough, we were playing a team who have been playing very well over the past ten games or so," Jones continued. "They got their two key player back in Jay DeMerit and Tommy Smith and that was probably their strongest possible line up. But we defended well and Stuart Taylor in goal didn't have much to do. We then had chances to win the game and got the break in the end with the penalty."

In the second of Cardiff's run of four home games on the bounce, the Bluebirds will be visited by Kevin Blackwell's Sheffield United who sit one place above the Bluebirds although both teams share the points total and goal difference. Although the game is sure to be close, Dave was not willing to talk about the game as a "must win".

"Will the result decide the season?" Dave asked. "No, so it's not a must win game. It's something we want to get something from and we'll prepare as we normally do. They've probably got one of the best away records in the division, while we have got a good record at home so something will have to give."

Ahead of the game, Dave was also able to give the press an update on the now, thankfully, decreasing injuries list in the Bluebirds squad, saying, "It's just the three goalkeepers now, I mean there are the usual knocks and bruises but that's normal. I would think that the goalkeepers should back after the international break."

The international break Dave mentioned will take place the week after the Bluebirds face Sheffield on Sunday and Dave saw the rest period as having a positive effect on the Cardiff squad.

"It'll be a good chance for players that haven't played much recently to get some games, like at Merthyr, and good training, whilst we'll have Joe Ledley, Darcy Blake, Ross McCormack, Gavin Rae, Eddie Johnson and Gabor Gyepes away with their respective nations" said Jones.

Watch the whole interview at Cardiff City World now and hear what Dave had to say on tiredness, squad rotation and Jay Bothroyd.