Isaiah Jones - played centrally?

MidlandsBoroFan

MidlandsBoroFan

Well-known member
Ok, just thinking out loud here, so I’m prepared to be ridiculed…!

I’m a big fan of Jones. Obviously hasn’t progressed like we were hoping after that incredible season he had. But I think most on here think we are a better team with him on the pitch.

He’s quick, direct, can beat a player, and his finishing isn’t too bad. His biggest weakness for me, since that season, is his crossing. Can’t ever seem to beat the 1st man. So can we take that away from him?

Could he potentially play centrally behind the striker? Not saying he’ll be this season’s Akpom, but I’m thinking it would play to his strengths. I haven’t seen enough from anyone else yet in that position - surely worth a try?

Latte/Coburn

McGree Jones Forss

Howson Hackney

Looks decent to me. They can obviously interchange at times as well, but I think Jones could cause havoc running at centre backs.
 
Definately not. The season before last he was our best player, playing as a right wing-back - which is exactly where he should be starting at tomorrow, with McNair reinstated into a three-man central defence.

Trying to recreate last seasons formation with inferior players is a pipe-dream of the deluded.
 
would be interesting to see what he could do dropping deep and finding pockets of space - could worry defenders certainly
 
since1970 said:
Definately not. The season before last he was our best player, playing as a right wing-back - which is exactly where he should be starting at tomorrow, with McNair reinstated into a three-man central defence.

Trying to recreate last seasons formation with inferior players is a pipe-dream of the deluded.
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Jones McNair Fry Lenihan Bangura
Howson Hackney O'Brien
Coburn Lath

Pretty solid that side, and just what we need 5-3-2 to pick up some points. All our best players on the pitch. The front 2 could be rotated with Forss/ Greenwood etc and Crooks can be first swap in midfield 👍
 
lostinyorkshire said:
I dont see it. We need less square pegs not more.

Play the best available in their proper positions and if they arnt good enough recruit better.

Thus recruit some bloody full backs that are footballers
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Fair enough. I just think he’s a square peg at the moment. A wide player who can’t cross. But I really want him on the pitch.
 
There was a game this season i think it was west brom where he played more centrally for a period when he came on and did quite well. Im open to anything at the minute. although "and his finishing isn’t too bad" i dont agree i think he should score more goals.
 
This is a terrible idea. When you play with 1 striker you need your 10 to be a 2nd striker, not a 5th midfielder. Even if he was suited to playing centrally, which he isn't, it wouldn't be good for the team anyway.
 
To be fair to Carrick I'm not sure he got enough (or any) credit for his tactical switch at HT on Tues which I think was to play Jones in the Giles role at RB? I wonder if we will see that again today.
 
MidlandsBoroFan said:
Fair enough. I just think he’s a square peg at the moment. A wide player who can’t cross. But I really want him on the pitch.
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I also want him on the pitch its ridiculous that he doesnt start every week. Not everything will come off for him but every full back in the league would prefer not to play jones when they play boro
 
lostinyorkshire said:
I also want him on the pitch its ridiculous that he doesnt start every week. Not everything will come off for him but every full back in the league would prefer not to play jones when they play boro
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Agree, while he is worrying them, it takes the pressure of us, madness not to play Jones.
 
since1970 said:
Definately not. The season before last he was our best player, playing as a right wing-back - which is exactly where he should be starting at tomorrow, with McNair reinstated into a three-man central defence.

Trying to recreate last seasons formation with inferior players is a pipe-dream of the deluded.
Click to expand...
I'd rather see VDB in a back 3 instead of McNair.
 
You need an intelligent footballer to play as a 10. I really like Jones, he has a lot of qualities.... but unfortunately, I don't think footballing intelligence is high up on his list.
 
His first 10 minutes of the Championship, sub versus Fulham, he went from right to left and, after some trickery fed Bola for the equalizer. Set him free, and put the mask back on.
 
I don’t think you can pigeonhole players as positions in the modern game anymore.

As it’s all about attributes and versatility now gone are the days of say a Dennis Irwin known for playing one role and mastering it now you expect a full back to be both creative as well as defensive. Full back one week wing back the next event centre half the week after.

So I think as with tav, jones could certainly provide cover in the middle if needed.
 
Nano said:
This is a terrible idea. When you play with 1 striker you need your 10 to be a 2nd striker, not a 5th midfielder. Even if he was suited to playing centrally, which he isn't, it wouldn't be good for the team anyway.
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Disagree with this.

Until Alvarez started getting games, Man City played 4-2-3-1 - Haaland with 3 midfielders behind (eg Bernardo Silva, KDB, Foden). Even back in the Aguero days, David Silva would be playing the no 10 role.

England - same system - Kane with Saka, Bellingham, Rashford behind.

Obviously Jones isn’t a KDB or a Bellingham! But the system works with the right players. I think it’s worth giving it a try, maybe against Bolton? Might be a disaster - might actually work.
 
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