Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:10 pm  

Something I was discussing with Super Magic Beetle on the VT.

Firstly I do like Josh Jones. But I do see him more long term as something of a second rower, possibly loose forward.

The magic beetle has pointed out his stats reflect quite well compared to Meli who also played centre last year.

So do you think Jones will settle in any one position or be caught between the backs and the pack?

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:30 pm  

Pack.

Closest thing to a Joynt / Gilmour that saints have.

Percival , Dawson and Turner for the two centre spots.

Wheeler at a pinch if he is still here or fit. Unlikely on both counts.

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Sun Dec 29, 2013 7:36 pm  

It would be difficult at this point in time to decide his best position. We are lucky to have a player like him who will play where selected and give 100% every time.

It's obvious from his squad number that the coach thinks his best position will be centre. I think that given a season at number 4. He will prove Brown to be correct.
Having said that, the last guy to play with a 4 on his back proved to be a star second row forward. Amen to that.

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:14 pm  

I see Jones becoming another Clough, steady and reliable. I hope he proves me wrong and becomes a star.

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:44 am  

I think Jones will end up pretty much exclusively in the pack in the next few years. He is a decent centre though and its great to have a player who we can use to help ease Percival into the first team (who I think will be a real star and is a natural centre).

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:17 am  

It's hard one with Jones. He's one of them players that doesn't seem to fit into a out and out position.

When he plays centre, I feel the winger won't get good ball. He plays with his head down which means he's more of a runner than a passer. I like my centres to be able to make breaks and then let it go to the winger but I don't think Josh knows when to pass and when to stick, like a good out and out centre should.

When he second row he does ok but at the moment I think he lacks size to play in the pack. He can do a job there but against the big physical packs I think he struggles. Will he get a game at second row with the likes of Manu, Sia, Flanaghan, Wilkin all in front of him.

I just don't know what's his best position but I'd start with him centre. Brown should work with him about playing centre and tell him he needs to think about when and when not to pass to his wing man. It would be a crying shame if swift was denied the ball because he doesn't know when to pass.

I just prey that we get the ball wide this year with Walsh in the halves. If we can get good ball to the likes of Manu and sia we could do some damage now we got some pace outside them.

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:06 am  

I see him more in the pack in the long term, he is still relatively young and size and bulk could be built up on that frame of his.

He can run a good line and those busting runs would be useful followed with a quick play the ball to get a bit of a roll on.

I think coaching a player to get a quick play the ball would be easier than that head up awareness, but then I have never been a coach. In a way if he can fill a roll in both areas without getting lost then he could very valuable to any team a bit like Lee Gilmore ( an excellent pack player, but providing good cover in the centre for injuries).

In terms , of value for money a player like that is great as it negates the need to have an extra cover player incase of injury in the centre's.

I think he will be a long term SL player just not sure at which position?

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:21 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

I see him more in the pack in the long term, he is still relatively young and size and bulk could be built up on that frame of his.

He can run a good line and those busting runs would be useful followed with a quick play the ball to get a bit of a roll on.

I think coaching a player to get a quick play the ball would be easier than that head up awareness, but then I have never been a coach. In a way if he can fill a roll in both areas without getting lost then he could very valuable to any team a bit like Lee Gilmore ( an excellent pack player, but providing good cover in the centre for injuries).

In terms , of value for money a player like that is great as it negates the need to have an extra cover player incase of injury in the centre's.

I think he will be a long term SL player just not sure at which position?

Would he get a game in our pack next year ?

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:49 am  

First off good call moving it here shadows the results of the poll are interesting.

I take the point about him playing with his head down. There have been a few times where you wish he would of released it and known if meli was at centre then we'd of been away. Equally when meli has been at centre I'd wished jones was as the opposition ran around him for a try (cough Leeds first try in the semi cough)

I definitely think he can be trained to look for the ball more, which would bring his game up to a very good level, and probably pushing for an England centre spot, but I think he will struggle to ever reach the attacking potential of some of the centres we've seen in the last decade (though we have been spoilt) I think he could emulate the playing style of willie talau long term which is something we've been desperate for!

It's very easy to forget the guys 20, so of course he's not going to be the perfect player yet, but I think were in a good position with it, as we can keep him in the centre for a few year, working in his deficiencies, and if it becomes abundantly clear he will never going to get over them (after 2/3 years of trying) bring Percival into the centres and use jones as the workhorse second row - no one can doubt jones workrate, and that is what makes me feel he's not going to do a clough

Re: Do you see Jones as a Centre or in the pack? : Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:53 am  

St pete wrote:

Would he get a game in our pack next year ?

I doubt it.

If we went with three proper back rowers then Soliola, Manu and Wilkin would be first choice.

If we played with a 3rd prop then I imagine we would go with Wilkin, Manu, LMS and Soliola on the bench.

In either scenario, Flanagan would be probably be next on the list ahead of Jones.

So for me, Jones will start the season at centre and provide back up to the pack to cover any injuries, with Percival covering Jones.

I really like Jones and like other people have said, let's not forget he is only 20. I really hope he kicks on and finds himself a regular spot and he continues to improve. I'd hate to see the same thing happen to him that seems to be happening with Clough.

I can't see Manu playing many more seasons so Jones may get his chance then, but if Andre Savelio fulfils his potential then he will overtake Jones and Flanagan pretty quickly and become our 1st choice left 2nd row in the next couple of years.