Jevons Is Playing The Waiting Game

By: Richard Lord
Date: 24/03/2002

GRIMSBY Town striker Phil Jevons is having to wait patiently for a chance to start a first team game. The 22-year old revealed he has no complaints about being left out of the side, as Bradley Allen and Mick Boulding are pushing the Mariners to safety.

The former Evertonian has been sat on the substitutes bench for most of the time since the turn of the year. Speaking to the Sports Telegraph he said: "It's been hard to stomach, but if that's what it takes for the team to be winning then so be it.

"I was disappointed that I went from playing regularly to being a substitute, but the people that have come in have done very well so I can't have an argument." The last time the £250,000 summer signing scored was in the 3-1 win over Portsmouth.

But Jevons is determined to fight his way back into the side, but knows he'll just have to wait for his chance. "Every player wants to play in every game and I'm no different. The two lads, Mick and Brad, are playing well and I just have to bide my time.

"It's not a case of working harder in training because I give it 100 per cent every day - just like the other lads." I just have to get my confidence back and get the pressure off me. I feel really sharp in training again and my confidence has been restored."

Manager Paul Groves has seen signs that the eight-goal striker is nearing the form that he showed at the start of the season. Jevons continued: "Now I'm just waiting for my chance. I don't want to set myself any goal targets, I just have to work hard and hope to get back in and take my chance."

The last time Jevons played a large part of a game was in the 2-0 defeat to Watford, a low point in Town's season. "At the start of the season we were doing really well and I scored a couple of goals. But then everyone's form dipped, including mine, and we went through a bad spell."

"I'm made up that we're winning again and with it being my first season it has been up and down for me. Maybe being left out has done me good with not having too much experience of being in the position we're in," admitted Jevons.

"I just have to wait for the manager to put me back in and then it's down to me to cement my place in the side."

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