Alfie Jones has started life at Gillingham in fine fashion following his summer loan move from Southampton.
The youngster had a temporary spell at St. Mirren last season and endeared himself to the Scottish club’s faithful.
Despite this, he couldn’t force his way into Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans for the 2019/20 campaign at Southampton. Therefore, he was loaned out to League One side Gillingham.
Jones has been playing regularly in the middle of the park and opened his account with a goal in his side’s 2-2 draw against Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.
These Gillingham fans are liking what they’re seeing from the Saints academy graduate…
Twitter: @TheGillsFC What a beautiful unit of a man (@Harriso62660051)
Twitter: @TheGillsFC Give him the keys to the town… (@AGraizevsky)
Meanwhile, praise has also come Jones’s way from back down south…
Twitter: @SouthamptonFC @ALFIEJONES97 He has been their beat player this season so far. Accomplished, strong and leading. Ba… https://t.co/3A2NvI6hz6 (@saintbannerman)
Read Southampton’s verdict
It’s always good to see our young players doing well, whether that’s away on loan or in the Under-23 setup.
Jones has often captained Saints’ youth sides, and as such, he is evidently held in high esteem by those at the club. So, with competition for places intensifying in the senior ranks under Hasenhuttl, he will be desperate to prove his worth.
Capable of operating in central defence or just ahead, Jones has been deployed as a holding midfielder by Steve Evans at Gillingham and appears to be at home in the position.
If he can maintain this level of form, perhaps he’ll be closer to a first-team bow at St Mary’s than first thought…
