Steve Claridge's appraisal of Dave Jones

From the Guardian

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/20..._jones_de.html

Scouting report: David Jones, Derby County
Billy Davies reckons he conned Man Utd out of £3-4m for this 22-year-old midfielder. Not many people have managed that.

There are times in a season, particularly these days with the way the transfer system is set up, when a manager really does have to come into his own. It might not be only when his team is struggling, but also when they've done well yet cracks are starting to appear and he realises reinforcements are needed. One or two additions to a squad that has just hit a bit of a dip can give a side the lift they need and, in recruiting David Jones for Derby County, Billy Davies has done just that.

The midfielder had already played on loan under Davies at Preston North End last season but, with County labouring, the manager returned to Manchester United to sign the player temporarily again in November. The 22-year-old obviously impressed in those two months as, on January 4, he signed a three-and-a-half year contract much to the delight of Davies who, in securing his arrival for £1m, reckons he conned United out of £3-4m. Not many people have managed that.

This England Youth and Under-21 international, who was capped in the 2-2 draw with Sweden in 2004, is also eligible for Wales at full international level. While I'm not sure he'd break into that England midfield, he'd make a welcome addition to Welsh ranks. I like the simple things he does on the pitch, always brought on by an awareness of what is around him. This is a player who has a little look up before receiving his pass and, having clocked the situation, knows exactly what space is available for him to exploit.

It is an awareness that is second to none. Easy to read as a forward, he hooked the ball on in tight situations but with real quality, turning his opponents' defence and giving his forward something to chase. That's not to say he didn't also get the ball down and play, which he does with great gusto. His first thought is always to look forward and probe openings whenever possible. As with all left-footers, he looked the part. In a side who rarely lose when they go ahead, he offered the balance that is so vital, even from the central area, with that lovely left foot of his.

Jones is a fantastic judge of the long ball played from defence which bypasses his fellow midfielders to arrive straight with the lads up front. He is quick to determine whether or not to support the forward if the ball is not the best, or to break past him if his team-mate can get good control. While he did his defensive duties, I'd like to see him really break his neck to get back rather because he has to do it. A recent calf injury might have something to do with that.

He's deceptively strong and rarely loses possession. Indeed, he breaks forward well, rarely wasting energy, and should have scored late on in the game against Leicester on Good Friday with a header. But we'll forgive him his miss as he's scored four goals in his last six games. At this stage of the season, he's certainly a player for the big occasion. At 22, and with Derby doing so well in the Championship, there promises to be many more of those in the years ahead.

Age 22

Born Southport

Position Midfielder

Height 5ft 11in

Weight 10st 5lb

From Manchester United

How he rates

Awareness 9/10

Pace 8/10

Attitude 7/10

Tackling 8/10

Passing 9/10

Shooting 8/10

Team responsibility 7/10

Valuation £1.5m

Utter joke he was never given a chance whilst Richardson & O'Shea get game after game in midfield

i was just droning on about jones on another thread.

it's not that he didn't make it, it's that he was never given the chance to directly compete for a place with...ah.


sorry. sudden attack of depression.

I must admit, I was shocked when he was sold. Another loan spell, fair enough, but surely he was worth taking a punt on? It wouldn't have risked more than half a mill.

Originally Posted by borsuk

i was just droning on about jones on another thread.

it's not that he didn't make it, it's that he was never given the chance to directly compete for a place with...ah.


sorry. sudden attack of depression.

Beat me to it

i was chatting to a derby fan the other week in prague. he still couldn't believe we let him go. and what will we have on the bench tonight in terms of young players for the future?

eagles? dong?

ridiculous. surely it's not too much to ask for one place on the bench to be filled by a player who we can look at as a potential future success.

What annoys me even more is that of the players on the bench Eagles will leave in the Summer, Dong will be loaned out and Richardson's Utd career is probably over. None of them have long term futures yet they're currently here to make up the numbers. Blody daft IMO.

Originally Posted by Whalefish

What annoys me even more is that of the players on the bench Eagles will leave in the Summer, Dong will be loaned out and Richardson's Utd career is probably over. None of them have long term futures yet they're currently here to make up the numbers. Blody daft IMO.

every cloud, eh