Andy_W
Well-known member
Oh I agree, Traore was a different kettle of fish, but he was in his 5th season or so of pro football, and his third season with us, playing at a level lower than the level we signed him for.I really hope you’re right Andy but Traore was a different beast.
I was praising Traore from day one and maintained that before Pulis used him properly when lots of people were saying he shouldn't be playing. Loads we still slagging him off when his ratings were the best in the league, and I was defending him week in week out. Was funny mind, as when we came to sell him, those who were slagging him off were saying we should have got more money or he should have stayed Or they were saying his buy out clasue should have been higher, but why would it have been higher if they didn't rate him? It was clear he had massive potential and was always going to have a reasonable buy out so he could step up, as soon as that chance came. He went to the wrong club though, and Wolves shackled him with defensive duties and made him waste his energy on defending, when they should have let him sit on the halfway line conserving energy until the other players got the ball back.
Jones just needs time, and to play in a position which suits. Carrick doesn't really have time, and doesn't need to play Jones, and changing the formation/ style to suit him is not worth it, as evidenced by our great league results. He'll be working on him in the background though, no doubt about that and he will probably feature more and better later in the year. If he does he'll be good next year in this league, and maybe even the one above if we get there. Or we may loan him out to develop more, or he'll be on the bench behind an established player.