[Archived] Phil Jones

[Exiled_Rover]

I think some are getting ahead of themselves with Jones. Yes he looks very promising, but we need to bring him along slowly. You can't throw an 18 year old to the wolves at this level, it does long term damage (as Owen). He's not grown into his body yet.

He does look VERY assured for someone his age, and with Allardyce in charge he'll definitely improve as a defender, but I wouldn't pencil him in for a starting role next season just yet.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Nice to see one of the collumists in one of the Sunday rags give Jones a mention, saying who looks a diamond. But for us not to enjoy it because a big side will come in for him soon.

Yeh thats just what the lad needs, to be sat on man u, chelsea or citys ###### bench.

[The Rover of Finland]

Rovers sites doesn´t mention what kind of conract he has. Anyone? New deal must be done soon anyway. He earns decent wages already and he must all we can to keep him here for years to come.

[American]

Hughsey can tell you how much he makes now.

[modes98]

2 year deal signed at the start of this season

[Kelbo]

2 year deal signed at the start of this season

Thanks for that, at his age we are certain to get decent cash for him even if out of contract, \I feel if he starts next season well, that contract will be extended with a nice pay rise!!

[JAL]

The great thing now is seeing young lads like Phil JoNES who can gain some valuable experience against your Uniteds and Arsenals without any fear.

Would like to think that Rovers can now start to look at next season with big Sam looking to improving the quality and effectiveness of Rovers forward play.

[slough_rover]

I know its too early to judge but he looks a lot more composed than Chris Smalling who cost Man U approx 7 million or so.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Smalling plays like Knight and 'Tiny', all the size in the world and no idea how to use it to his advantage.

Now in the first team, SA needs to stick by him, even if he does do a cock up, dropping him would undo or the good work done so far.

[Kelbo]

Smalling plays like Knight and 'Tiny', all the size in the world and no idea how to use it to his advantage.

Now in the first team, SA needs to stick by him, even if he does do a cock up, dropping him would undo or the good work done so far.

I disagree, Sam needs to bring the lad on carefully, at 18, his body is not neccessarily equipped to play 2 games per week at a high intensity, maybe our resident Scientist Majiball would comment on that, but I always believe, for the players sake and help his career, they need leaving out to be rested, keep them fresh.

As long as Sam explains to the player why, which I am sure he will do.

[Shabani]

Yeah but we're not playing two games a week

We might as well keep playing him until the end of the season, just to see if he has a weakness that we can then work on over pre-season

[The Rover of Finland]

Yeah but we're not playing two games a week

We might as well keep playing him until the end of the season, just to see if he has a weakness that we can then work on over pre-season

We should give Nelsen few games too. After all, he is going to play WC and needs to play after the injury. Maybe Jones could play RB a match or two.

[LeChuck]

We should give Nelsen few games too. After all, he is going to play WC and needs to play after the injury. Maybe Jones could play RB a match or two.

What?! That is a potentially damaging to Jones' career, what if he as a nightmare at full back? All so Nelsen can get match practise in for an international tournament? Madness.

Nelsen can play his way into the team on his own merit, the world cup has no relevance to us at all.

[The Rover of Finland]

What?! That is a potentially damaging to Jones' career, what if he as a nightmare at full back? All so Nelsen can get match practise in for an international tournament? Madness.

Nelsen can play his way into the team on his own merit, the world cup has no relevance to us at all.

Jones is used to play both CD and RB. Nothing to wonder here.

[LeChuck]

I just don't understand gambling his future to allow Nelsen practise for the world cup, what's the reward? It's not like we're short of right backs, and Jones doesn't really seem to have any of the attributes you would associate with modern full backs.

[Seggie]

Jones is used to play both CD and RB. Nothing to wonder here.

He may have played RB in the youth team and reserve team but hes playing at the Top Level in English football which is considered to be one of the most demanding leagues in the World. He looks a fantastic prospect as a CB why change that or encourage versitillity. When managers start making players play out of position because they are versitile then they don't develop to the best they can in their best position. The best players have one position they can play versitile players play a range of positions because they aint generally good enough to play in one position week in week out.

[SergioPeter89]

Why not give Ryan Nelsen a run out on RB?

[Blue n White Rover]

Why not give Ryan Nelsen a run out on RB?

He can just about play in the centre of defence. He'd be a calamity at RB! No pace left in him whatsoever.

[MeanGreenMachine]

Why do we need Nelsen and his passing 'talent' back in the side, when quite clearly, we are doing better without him?

[Hughesy]

What?! That is a potentially damaging to Jones' career, what if he as a nightmare at full back? All so Nelsen can get match practise in for an international tournament? Madness.

Nelsen can play his way into the team on his own merit, the world cup has no relevance to us at all.

Agree totally - if he wants the place then he should earn it....for me based on form he is currently behind Samba, Givet & Jones in choices for the centre.

As for the world cup - Not our problem

Why not give Ryan Nelsen a run out on RB?

Why not leave Ryan Nelsen on the bench until/ IF we need him.

[Majiball]

I disagree, Sam needs to bring the lad on carefully, at 18, his body is not neccessarily equipped to play 2 games per week at a high intensity, maybe our resident Scientist Majiball would comment on that, but I always believe, for the players sake and help his career, they need leaving out to be rested, keep them fresh.

As long as Sam explains to the player why, which I am sure he will do.

18 is the minimum age we work with, so there aren't really any real reasons why he shouldn't be able to cope, once he's adapted. I would expect his training to be harder/more intense and he should be able to adapt within 4-8 weeks, dependent on how the training is being done. 2-3 games a week is hard for any player, with the intensity of the premiership what it is these days. Personally its a tricky one, as always with the kids, but he's done very well I think I'd keep him in the team as subbing centre backs is not always the best idea in game.

I love the way people are saying play him or Nelsen at RB, we already enough for our own museum we don't need anymore right-backs.

[tony gale's mic]

Better than Maldini?

[John]

Another awesome performance.

[Steve Moss]

Another awesome performance.

The ManU commentators don't seem to think we'll hold on to him very long.

[67splitscreen]

Everything we have seen of Jones to date points to a future star and dare I say an England CB/captain.

Credit to the lad and all who have coached him to this level.

Could be Ronnie Clayton incarnated.