Title bid still on - JJ

Last updated : 26 August 2003 By Martyn Elliott

The youngster, who has yet to start for the first team this season, insists that there is no need to panic just yet and is confident that our form will improve.

"It's just two games into the season,” JJ told The Journal.

"We've lost a big game and that is a blow but it's too early to start talking about championships.

"We've still got to go to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, the season has only just begun. We've got the opportunities to get these three points back.
 

“We're still a good side, even if we haven't done ourselves justice on Saturday.”

But he then added something worrying about Saturday’s defeat: "We looked tired in the second-half, which is strange. We worked hard and it was a hot day, but we didn't look ourselves."

How can the players be feeling tired after just two Premiership games, if they prepared correctly for the season?

But unfortunately JJ’s observation was spot on with Gary Speed (who had travelled to Serbia for a crucial international in midweek) and Lee Bowyer off the pace, and substitute Hugo Viana looking like he isn’t currently fit enough to play at the top level.