Jonah Plea
Tue, Nov 24 2009
Happy Days' favourite haircut Steve Jones is asking Nigel Worthington to give him another chance to prove his worth come the New Year.
Jonah, now with Walsall, is hoping Worthers will recall him from international exile following a plethora of goals for the midlands club.
The deft midfielder has scored six in Walsall's last eight games making him top scorer for the Saddlers. Having an unsuccessful period under Owen Coyle at Burnley, Jonah went on loan to Bradford City until the end of last season. Whether it was a dearth of arty hair boutiques or purely lack of opportunities, he was released by Burnley in June this year and left the Bantams to sign for Walsall.
Jonah has 29 caps for his country, with his only goal coming against St Kitts and Nevis in 2004. However, he has not played since 2007 and is keen for Nigel Worthington to recognise his current form and to perhaps consider him for the friendly in March.
"It's my next aim. It's disappointing people from the Irish leagues and lower leagues in Scotland are getting selected in front of me, but I can't do more than I'm doing now.
"Hopefully they will take note and I will be there for the next international. All I can do is keep scoring and get Walsall higher up the table.
"I'm consistent, scoring goals and it's all you can do,"he told the Walsall Express & Star.
Meanwhile Worthington has made no secret of the type of player he wants for the forthcoming European Championship qualifiers, assuming the IFA are renewing his contract which seems likely. Whilst labeling upcoming starlet Oliver Norwood as a "genius", he has been quick to single out players who he doesn't think meet the grade.
Celtic's Paddy McCourt has taken the flack this week with Worthington describing him as a "luxury player". Although acknowledging that playing McCourt wide perhaps does not get the best out of him, Worthington was clear that he needs high energy performances regardless.
"Paddy gives the impression of being laid back. Nothing seems to faze him - he likes to play at his own pace,", Worthington told the Sunday Life.
"Hopefully, he is taking on board what he is being told and we will see a different player in the future."
A player we can be sure to see in the future is Manchester United's Oliver Norwood.
"The lad is a genius,.. he is going to be a very good player. What he can do with the ball from free-kicks is remarkable," Worthers told the press.
"From the day I first worked with him, you could see his technique and ability were excellent. In fact, his quality at free-kick situations is amazing for his age."
"You always know that eight or nine times out of ten, he is going to score when he places the ball for a free. It is a great talent to have on top of his impressive general play."
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