Buddies rough and tumble teaches loan ace Alfie what it’s all about
ST MIRREN defender Alfie Jones hopes the rough and tumble of Scottish football will help toughen him up for a crack at the Premier League.
The on-loan Southampton centre-half admits the pace and physicality of the game in Scotland has been an eye-opener after playing academy football down south.
Jones has come up against strikers like Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos and Kenny Miller of Dundee in recent games and will be tested again by Hearts’ forward line this afternoon.
The 21-year-old hopes his season-long spell in Paisley will help further his ambition of eventually making the first team at Southampton upon his return. He said: “It’s definitely been tougher up here than I expected. Coming from academy football where it is all on the floor and you try to play football it’s been a lot more direct and more physical.
“You are playing against men who know how to use their body. In that sense it has been different but it has been a good experience. You learn how to use your body in different situations, so it has definitely toughened me up as a centre-half.
“The pace of the game is so quick, it’s end to end. It was a good experience playing against guys like Miller and Morelos. They’ve proven themselves in this league and they have a lot of experience, so it is only going to help my development.
“There is a bubble at academy level and some people are comfortable at doing that but I’ve always wanted to get out and get that experience.”
Southampton have been monitoring his progress closely during his loan spell and Jones hopes they’ve been impressed with what they’ve seen so far.
He added: “They are always in touch to see how I’m getting on and if I’m playing. They watch my clips back and give me tips about how I can develop. I want to play at the highest level possible and being at Southampton is the aim.”
Jones is grateful to Anton Ferdinand for his calming influence alongside him in the centre of the St Mirren defence.
“It’s been massive for me coming into a first-team environment for the first time having Anton next to me day in and day out,” he added. “Watching him day in and day out has given me little tips and helped improve my game all round.”
St Mirren have yet to win under new manager Oran Kearney but Jones believes there have been signs of progression. He hopes today can be a turning point.
“Our performances have been improving each week so now it’s just that little final touch and we are close to getting the results now,” he said.