Isaiah Jones — stick or flog?

Expat Smoggie

Expat Smoggie

Well-known member
I think it’s fair to say (this season) Jones has been one of our better performers without pulling up any trees.. He probably ranks as (in championship terms) a decent performer (7.0) over the past few seasons but those stats have probably declined from his performances in 2022, when he was outstanding.

The question is for the club now has Jonesie run his course with the Boro? With a year left on his contract I’m sure he’ll command a sizable pay rise with his next contract. But is he worth giving another contract when his performances this season have been borderline average? Maybe flog him for £5m+ would be good business for a player who probably needs a new outlook to take him to the next level?

Isiah is 25 this year so he probably has another 3-4 years left in the tank to compete at this level or maybe higher. Personally I think he’s been too inconsistent this season and while his defensive game has improved I think his output on crossing and passing have not improved (perhaps declined) so I don’t see any EPL teams taking a risk on him.

Based on what I saw today I even thought that Swansea’s Brazilian winger Ronald looked more suited to our style of play and would probably give us a better edge up front to support Latte or any decent striker.

It’s a bit of a dilemma for the club on what path to take with Isaiah, especially as he recently stated he’s settled on Teesside, so it would be a jolt to Jones’ to have to move on.

Definitely a good discussion point for the summer silly season.
 
I believe the club has a policy now of flogging a player in his final year. That is of course if they have no intention of signing a new deal.

It makes sense. We've most so many multi million pound players on frees. Especially the dross Monk and Pulis bought. Simply nobody could afford them due to the ridiculous fees paid and contracts they were on.

I would definitely keep him. That is of course if he wants to stay. We are a better side with him playing on the right. Yes his final ball can be frustrating. Yet if it wasn't he'd probably be with a 'better' club.

I think we massively missed him when he was injured. He's a genuinely quick player. We only have Latte Lath who offers a similar threat.

So I'd keep him. Again if he wants to stay (London lad). If not then get the best price possible. Although with a year left it's not going to be mega money.

He's not the only one. The likes of Mcgree / Forss and Clarke are in exactly the same contract position. I would keep all of them. Yet very doubtful they will all be here come August.
 
He works hard is and is very mobile with high agility, but his crossing sometimes is dissapointing i can understand why he prefers to take to ball to the byline if possible and hit low crosses

But i suppose it all comes down to Data, i.e assists and goals and what the team ultimately needs from the 3 behind the striker to provide enough goal contributions to take the team up

Interesting the comparison behind him and his 'like for like' competitors in the squad who play off the flanks either as wingers or inside forwards cutting inside

Jones (30 matches 6 goals 2 assists) - this is very similiar to last season where is had also 8 goal contributions in the same number of games, in the 21/22 season in 42 games he had 1 goal but 9 assists
Forrs ( 21 matches 7 goals 2 assists)
McGree ( 22 matches goals 4 assists 1)
Greenwood (35 matches 5 goals 3 assists)

Interesting is the low number of assists from the wide areas, even Lukas Engel has 3 assist this season and Ayling i think 4 now for the club from full back positions

Hence why we need to use full backs who have a purpose going forward as our style of play tends to favour them overlapping
 
As it stands he's scored one less league goal than Stuani managed in the championship in a promotion winning side side (he might well match or better that yet).

his all round game in that position is better than Stuani's and hes not had a consistent right back behind him either.

so yeah, he's good enough and we should be getting him tied up with a new deal.
 
Keep without hesitation.

Plenty of other positions in the summer that will need improving that are a priority.

Jones has shown he can be a threat against any team at this level, so I wouldn’t be worried about him.

Instead I would work on his weaknesses over the summer, first time finishes/ shooting. In the last 2 or 3 games alone he has skied a few opportunities all of a similar nature, coming in at the back post onto a cross, so I think that’s where MC needs to help Jones.
 
One of our most important players, we have been a far worse team when he hasn’t played. Get him signed up. It’s not a surprise our defence has improved massively since he came back as well. How much better does Ayling look with him infront and helping and closing from the front? If we had another Jones on the left all the criticisms of Engel and Thomas would likely not be happening.
 
I think the answer to what he does next lies with him.

The club will have already offered him a contract, there's absolutely no doubt about that, but as yet he has not signed.

So he either thinks he may get a bigger club, a better deal, or he wants to run his contract down.

Hopefully they can agree a deal over the summer and he'll be here for a few seasons yet.
 
When Jordan Hugill shoved him in the back and he did his hamstring, I think most of us thought our hopes at Chelsea, indeed our hopes of promotion, had pretty much died. Without him, since we sold Crooks and Rodgers, and before Lath's spurt of form, we simply don't look like we're going to score. Frustrating as some of his traits are, he always carries a threat and works really hard defensively when needed also.

If he won't sign of course, then like McGree he'll be gone. Hope we keep both, as both have skill and personality.
 
He was very poor yesterday and bang average against Sheff Wed. He seems to play differently depending on who is behind him but overall I would keep. Could be a good impact player so therefore a good squad player.
 
Our squad depth isn’t good enough to consider a player like Jones just a nice squad player.
 
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