Luke Jones' questions and answers from the recent matchday programme

Q - What notable differences are there from being at Blackburn, to those at Shrewsbury?

A - The main difference was probably the level of facilities and the quality of the players. We have excellent facilities here but as Blackburn are a Premiership club they have a higher standard of facilities. In the terms of resources there were dietary coaches, specific weight coaches and those are something you wouldn't get at this level.

There wasn't much difference in the training, if you went to train with the first team it was a higher tempo but in terms of what you do in training there isn't much difference between Blackburn and here.

The decisions you make in games doesn't change it's just how people execute them. Premiership players think quicker and are much more adapted to that pace of football then players at this level.

In terms of what we've got at Shrewsbury it's something special with the new facilities and there isn't a massive difference.

Q - What is the best goal you have scored and why?

A - As I'm a centre back it's a difficult question to answer. I'd have to go for one when I played in the youth team at Blackburn. We played away at Man United on Carrington training ground. We needed to beat Man United to stay on track to win the lead and we were drawing 1-1. I've then gone up for a corner in the last minute, the balls come to the back stick and I've headed it right in the top corner. I've then got carried away with my celebration and done a lap of the pitch with the whole team following me.

I haven't scored yet for Shrewsbury but I hope I can do that and it can take over.

Q - What are your short and long-term ambitions for your career?

A - At the moment, I don't hold down a regular place in the Shrewsbury first team and that is my short term ambition. I'd like to get a number of games under my belt and prove that I deserve to play consistently in the team. Looking on from that I want to play at a higher level and being young I still think that I have a chance to do that.

Q - Has the constant stream of players coming in and going out had a demoralising effect in the dressing room?

A - I wouldn't say so no. You expect fairness and equality throughout the dressing room and at the moment we have quite a large squad. You expect the same standards across the board and when one player is taken out for a small mistake that has to be the same for every other player. So if another player makes a similar mistake in a game you expect the same to happen to them.

The players want that fairness and equality across the board and that can have an affect with the team and formation changing.

From your point about whether it affects us that is down to the manager as he's got to try and do something to get us winning. Often if you go on a bad run, like we have of late, you need to change something to come out of a bad run.

I don't feel it is demoralising, it can be different when you don't know what's going to happen but you learn that happens all the way through football and it's something you have to get on with.

Q - Who is your best mate in football?

A - It might sound a bit boring but I've got a few best mates. My brother is younger and me and still playing in the youth system at Blackburn and is one of my best mates. I've a number of mates who I used to be with at Blackburn, Joel Byrom whose now moved onto Northwich Victoria, Craig Barr whose now at Gretna. Down here I lived with Danny Hall, I also spend a lot of time with Steve Leslie and Darran Kempson.

Q - The Accrington Stanley game obviously didn't go well for you, what have you learned from the experiences of that game?

A - I'd agree that the game didn't go well for me for a number of reasons. I was taken off at half-time because the manager felt that I wasn't doing my job. I was marking Paul Mullin on the corner that he scored on, looking back at that just before the incident I was arguing with the ref about a free-kick on the edge of the box. They got a corner from that and I was still arguing with the ref and when the ball came in Paul Mullin has been able to steal a year on me. That was only noticeable when I've looked back at the DVDs and I've spoken to my dad and the manager about that.

I see Paul Mullin as one of the most difficult and experienced opponents in this League. In that game I felt that some of my mistakes were on part down to my inexperience. I've looked through the DVD of the game and spoken about it with the manager, my dad and other people who can help me learn from that.

Hopefully next time I go into the first team I will pick up things and I do feel that every time I play I do pick up things. I don't have a large amount of games under my belt but the more I play the more I will learn. It's not just about learning from games like Accrington but when I play well I learn about things that I should and shouldn't do.

Q - How did it fell when Andy Cooke's second goal went in at MK Dons and what sort of celebration did you do?

A - Its hard to find words to describe how I felt to be honest. When we were 1-0 up we were living on a cloud as we were the underdogs playing away at MK Dons in a difficult match.

They got back into it and had a lot of pressure in the second half and there was little bit of doubt starting to creep in. Then to see Cookey break away and put the ball away is a feeling that I can't describe to be honest. I felt like I had a new lease of energy, for the last 10-minutes it was backs against the wall but the adrenalin from Cookey's goal was going to help us hold on and I never thought for one moment I thought we were going to concede.

It was such a great goal and such a great feeling; you can't explain how good it felt.

Q - Are there any words to describe how you felt when you went down in the warm up at Wembley? You must have been absolutely gutted.

A - To begin with I was absolutely gutted, demoralised and was actually in tears. That game had built up to be the biggest game of my career to date and to go down and have it taken away from me minutes before kickoff was a sad day for me.

I still feel to this day it has hampered my progress for this season. I missed a large chunk of the pre-season and the early part of this season and I feel that it has just held me back. If I'd had that pre-season under my belt then I think I would have been able to progress more this season in terms of getting into and staying in the team.

The manager spoke to me about it and said I should never forget that day. I don't think at the moment that I can ever forget it but in years to come I may look back and smile about it.

At this moment it is still a sad memory as all my family came to watch me and they were gutted for me. On the day I was in the changing room and they were trying all sorts to unlock my knee but it wasn't shifting and I knew I wouldn't be playing and I couldn't hold back the emotion of how I felt.

Q - I and many others believe you to be the best footballing centre back at the club. Given this and the fact that you played really well when you came into the team - How disappointed were you to be left out??

A - I'd like to say thanks for those comments and kind words, the fans have been behind me when I had a run in the team like and I'd like to thank them. It's difficult when you first come into a team where you're not known and to have the fans behind you is a big boost.

Like any of the lads who aren't in the team I'm disappointed not to be playing. The worst time is when you are not playing or not being picked , as you're not deemed to be good enough to play in the team.

It's difficult and frustrating, after my run in the team last season and the run I recently had I thought I did well in the side. Then, the not so good game at Accrington which the manager spoke to me about , some of the things I did in that game were down to my inexperience. At the moment he wants to go with people with more experience and have games under their belts and that is understandable.

It is frustrating for me but it happens in football and I will wait for my chance again and take it.

Q - Do you prefer 3-5-2 or a flat back four?

A - To be honest I like playing both of the formations. Obviously when we play 3-5-2, there more positions up for grabs as we often play with three centre-backs in the 3-5-2, rather than when you play 4-4-2 where there is only the two positions.

The most natural to me is 4-4-2 which I've played the most but I'm equally as confident playing in the 3-5-2. I've also played at right-back in the 4-4-2 so there are a number of ways I'm used to playing and I don't mind any of them as long as I'm playing in the team.

Q - Have you always played in your current position?

A - I've played in two positions all the way from when I came through at Blackburn and through my time at Shrewsbury. I've played right-back at the tail end of last season and also at centre-back, other than that I haven't really ventured forward. I have quite a defensive mind about me and that's why I play in those two positions.

Q - Who are your footballing heroes?

A - Currently it is John Terry. I often like to try and emulate the way he plays; he is a ball winning centre-back, is tough but can also play and pass when he needs to.

Q - What team did you support as a kid?

A - When I was growing up I used to support Liverpool, I was brought up to support them as my dad is a Liverpool supporter. As I grew up I never went to matches and grew out of supporting them. Now I don't really support anyone. I come from Blackburn and after being with them I watch some of the games and follow their results but I don't really support anyone now.

Q - What was the first gig you went to, who it was and where was it

A - I'm not too happy to admit to this but it was Ronan Keating. The reason I went to that was because I went with my girlfriend. It was a few years back at Manchester MEN and she dragged me to it but I did actually enjoy it.

Q - What are the best and worst grounds that you've played at?

A - I think one of the best due to the memories I had there was MK Dons away. We got a good result in a draw at home but to going away to MK Dons and winning was superb. The National Hockey Stadium is nothing to write home about but just from the memories I'll have from now on mean I can never forget and for that reason it's one of the best grounds I've played at.
As for the worst it has to be Accrington Stanley and that's a shame as its right by my house. It's not because of the game just gone but just the facilities they have there and the pitch means you have to get your head round it and your head right before you go to play there as it really is a leveller.

Decisions, Decisions.

Sun or Mirror? - Sun.
Indian or Chinese? - Indian.
Sugababes or Girls Aloud? - Girls Aloud.
Corrie or EastEnders? - None of them as they are both poor.
BMW M5 or BMW X5? - X5.
McClaren or Sven? - As national manager neither, but Sven's doing a good job now but he didn't for England.
Simpsons or Family Guy? - Simpsons.
Magners or Guinness? - I don't like either.
Christina or Beyonce? - Christina.
Parky or Jonathan Ross? - Jonathon Ross, I love him as he's quality.
X Box 360 or PS3? - I don't have neither so prefer playing on my PSP.
KFC or McDonalds? - I like them both equally as they are nice, although I shouldn't.
Holidays with lads or girlfriend/wife? - I have to say my girlfriend.
Match of the Day or The Championship - MOTD unless I've played then I like to have a cheeky look at the Championship.
Cats or Dogs? - I've got both so like them both.
Rolex or Tag? - Rolex, but I can't afford one.
Tiger Woods or Roger Federer? - Roger Federer is a legend, but
Tiger also is.
Cinema or Home DVD? - Cinema.
Reebok or Nike? - Nike.
Cloughie or Jose? - Jose.
X Factor or Come Dancing? - Come Dancing.
Sauna or Jacuzzi? - Jacuzzi.
Ralph Lauren or Giorgio Armani? - Giorgio Armani.