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GEORGE Burley is not the only Championship manager who holds in-form Kenwyne Jones in high esteem.


For Ian Holloway, the boss of this afternoon's St Mary's visitors Plymouth, is a massive fan of the Trinidadian who has scored in each of his three starts for Saints this season, including the last two Championship games.

Indeed, when taking part in a Teletext Q & A session recently Holloway, right, picked out Jones as one player he would love to sign.

And as Argyle bid to protect their unbeaten away run against Jones and co, the former QPR manager spoke warmly about the player in his own, inimitable style.

Holloway, famous for his post-match interviews and hilarious quotes, said: "Big Kenwyne Jones is someone I have spoken very warmly about in the past.

"He has got pace and power and he's an old fashioned header of the ball.

"He's as hungry as the hungriest thing you have ever seen in your life.

"That's scary.

"If my dog is hungry and you have got something he can sniff then God help you ... and that's what that bloke (Jones) is like."

Burley also delivered praise to Jones, though in less colourful prose.

"Kenwyne is a lad that has only been a pro for a couple of seasons. He's still young but he's got great attributes," said the Saints manager.

"As far as in the air goes, he's second to none with his strength and aerial ability.

"Over the summer he's got stronger and very quick.

"He's still young and learning. There's areas we know he can improve on.

"He earned the right to start at Ipswich after the way he played against Yeovil and has shown the consistency you need as well."

Holloway, meanwhile, admitted the likes of Nathan Dyer and Bradley Wright-Phillips could be too fast for his side today.

"We are going to be up against it but I can't wait," he said. "We drew a game the other night (3-3 against Cardiff after being 0-3 down with 21 minutes left) and it felt like we won it.

"The spirit of everybody in the squad is absolutely terrific and quite rightly so. People write us off at their peril and if anybody wants to under-estimate us then God help them."

He added: "Player for player, at the minute, they (Southampton) have got a bit more pace in their squad than we have.

"They have got some flying machines, whereas some of ours are a bit older and wilier than them.

"If it was a running race we would probably lose it, so I have got be very careful."