QOS can look to me for goals, say new boy
New Queen of the South signing Isaiah Jones believes he can be the man the Doonhamers turn to for goals in their fight for league survival.
The Palmerston Park outfit are currently without their injured top goalscorer Connor Shields, while veteran hitman Stephen Dobbie is slowly getting closer to full fitness.
And Jones, who arrived on loan from English Championship outfit Middlesbrough last month, has enjoyed a terrific start at Queens. He scored on his debut against Alloa and caused Hearts countless problems in a 1-1 draw at Dumfries on Friday night.
And the youngster is aiming to continue his fine run of form and help his new side climb the Championship table.
He said: “My mentality is that I always see myself as the best player on the pitch. Hopefully, I can step up and score more goals while Connor and Stephen are out injured and help the team in that department.
“My start at Queens has been good, but I know there’s more to come from myself and the team in the coming weeks. It was a good team performance against Hearts. We put in a shift and played our game plan to perfection.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t get the three points, but we can build on this and look to our next game against Inverness on Wednesday.”
Meanwhile, Palmerston gaffer Allan Johnston confirmed Shields – who suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury against Alloa last week – has been for a scan and the results are looking better than expected.
Johnston added: “Connor’s X-ray has come back good, so we’re quite happy with that.
“But we’re going to get a CT scan just to make sure that is everything is OK.
“We had to field a makeshift side against Hearts with Aidan Fitzpatrick isolating, Rhys Mccabe feeling his hamstring, Joe Mckee out for longer than we expected, and Dan Pybus had to go off in the first half as he pulled up, so we’ve got a lot of injuries at the moment.
“I thought the team were brilliant against a strong Hearts side. It was a shame we conceded a cheap late goal, but we can take confidence from the performance.”
Marcelo Bielsa has offered encouraging support to Mikel Arteta before their two sides clash in the Premier League today.
Bielsa’s Leeds head to the Emirates Stadium looking to inflict a third-straight league defeat on Arsenal.
Arteta has faced plenty of criticism in his first full season in charge, with some Gunners fans fearing they could be on course for their worst-ever Premier League finish, but Bielsa is impressed.
“I think he’s a great coach,” said the Argentinian, whose side are chasing their fourth win in five league games.
“His team have never lost their identity. They have different types of players for every position, which demands knowledge of the style.”
Arsenal were fortunate to leave Elland Road with a point when the two sides last met in November, but Leeds have a woeful record in the capital.
Their last win in London was in December 2017 at QPR and they have not won at any ground there in 14 matches since.
Bielsa could be without midfielder Kalvin Phillips, while Spain forward Rodrigo and Pablo Hernandez (both muscle strain) are among those who continue to miss out and the doubts over Phillips means Mateusz Klich should resume in the starting line-up.
Klich was dropped to the bench for last month’s wins at Newcastle and Leicester, but appeared to have recovered his zest after starting against Palace.
“It’s very difficult to maintain your level,” Bielsa said of the Poland midfielder. “Of course, players have highs and lows, which is natural. It’s true in the game against Crystal Palace, Klich looked more like the player he is.”
Patrick Bamford and summer signing Raphinha have been two of Leeds’ outstanding performers this season.
Bamford scored his 12th league goal of the season in the win over Palace and Bielsa said: “It’s praise that is deserved.
“In all the aspects of his game there’s been an evolution. From now on what’s important is to maintain consistency for what’s left of the season.”
Leeds fans will be hoping reports linking Brazilian winger Raphinha with a possible summer move to Liverpool prove wide of the mark. Bielsa added: “He’s a player with good physical attributes for the position.”