Jones Hits Back At Rodgers' 'Mind Games'

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has hit back at Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers, claiming he's just playing 'mind games' ahead of tomorrow's South Wales derby.

Rodgers couldn't resist having a little dig at Cardiff City and the money they've been able to spend on transfer fees and wages despite being in lots of debt and being involved in a recent court case for an unpaid tax bill.

Swansea City have matched Cardiff City's League success spending nowhere near the amounts they have to reach the top of the Football League second tier.

Rodgers said the club has certain players with certain attitudes that money just can't buy:

"We have talent and we have players who are humble.

"They have not been distorted by football, by the money and the media attention and all the other stuff that surrounds big players.

"Money can`t buy what we`ve got in guys like Alan Tate and Garry Monk."

Dave Jones hit back at Rodgers' comments and said the Swans are just playing mind games:

"What`s their lack of resources? They`ve got a training ground, a new stadium, players,"

"I don`t know what their finances are.

"They paid half a million for a striker. They are always the paupers as they keep trying to make out, but I think a lot of it is just mind games at the end of the day.

"You`ve got it at Forest with Billy (Davies), they are always bemoaning their luck and then he seems to sign players and everything else.

"Do I get involved in it? Not really, it`s down to everyone else."

As he quite rightly says, he doesn't know our finances but he should certainly have an idea that we haven't got the funds to be paying the ridiculous wages our arch rivals pay out every week. Sticking to a budget that ensures we're not in financial trouble, which is more than could be said about the Bluebirds.

Jones also added:

"I don`t think it matters where both teams are in the league, derbies are always going to be feisty games,"

"They are always going to be billed as the biggest games of the season.

"Both teams are doing well and both teams want to continue to do well. We are still up there.

"Is the division going to be defined by this result? No. Is it going to dictate where we are going to finish? It will help where you want to be.

"We want to win it, they want to win it and it`s important not to lose ground on those you are chasing down.

"On top of that you have the derby atmosphere, bragging rights and everything else that goes with it.

"I don`t know what it was like in Swansea when they lost to us last year, but we know the taste doesn`t go away for a long time.

"We know how important the game is, nobody plays it down. A derby game is for the fans.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.