As Thomas Tuchel's side prepare to face Argentina tonight for a place in the World Cup final, Jones' assessment of England's tournament has proved remarkably accurate.
Rather than judging England on their early performances, the experienced former Premier League manager argued that major tournaments are about timing your run.
Speaking exclusively to Football Presse earlier in the competition, Jones urged supporters to remain patient.
"You don't win the World Cup in the first three games," he said. "It's about qualifying, and I think we need to get qualified and then slowly start to build."
That is exactly what England have done.
After negotiating the group stage without reaching top gear, Tuchel's side have grown stronger with every knockout match and now stand just one victory away from Sunday's final.
For Jones, that gradual improvement was always more important than making an early statement.
"You can play three brilliant games and still not win the World Cup," he said. "I think it's been a steady start, and it's something to grow on."
England's progress has not come without criticism. Tuchel's team selection, tactical approach and attacking balance have all been questioned at various stages of the tournament. Jones understands why supporters always have opinions, but believes those inside the camp deserve trust.
"We're all good England managers because we pick it after the events rather than before," he said. "I think he missed maybe, certainly the other night, someone with a bit of what we would say has the key to the door.
"A little bit of a maverick player. Maybe a Foden or a Palmer we missed."
Even so, Jones insisted the debate should not distract from the bigger picture.
"He's picked his squad and we have to go with that. It's easy to pick the side when you don't have to pick the team."
England's place in the last four suggests Tuchel's long-term thinking has paid off. Jones believes tournament football demands conviction from both players and coaches, particularly when outside noise grows louder.
"We have three million England managers over here at the moment," he said. "But he's got a plan.
"We have to give him that opportunity to complete that plan."
That plan now faces its toughest examination against an Argentina side looking to defend the World Cup they won four years ago. Victory would also set up a final against Spain, who booked their place with an impressive semi-final win over France on Wednesday night and underlined why many now regard them as the team to beat.
Jones believes one of the defining features of this World Cup has been how difficult every game has become, regardless of reputation.
"Teams aren't going to make it easy for anybody," he said. "I think that's been shown in this World Cup. A lot of the new teams that have broken in have done really well."
While Jones admitted France had been the side to impress him most earlier in the tournament because "the front players they have are world-class", Spain's victory has changed the complexion of the competition entirely.
England, however, cannot afford to think about Sunday's final until they overcome one of football's greatest rivals. For Jones, the message remains exactly the same as it was at the start of the tournament.
Trust the process.
Keep building.
And give the manager the chance to finish what he started.
"They've got a plan," Jones reasons. "Now they have to complete it."