Please try to keep this constructive, as I can see the possible negativity from discussing Dan Jones but if people can refrain from being fair on Ross Fitzsimons surely the same can be done for Jones?

I prefer Cedric Evina as a defender, he looks solid and at the back and good going forward.

I feel his debut was acceptable, the first half would have had him in contention for me as the man of the match. He just slowed down and became a little out of it in the second half. I do think he will improve but I wonder how consistent he can be?

Does this leave Jones as the back up for the left back?

Would he suit best in a squad rotation role?

Or does his future seem destined to be moved into midfield or a centre back role? He's fast and has the height, he can win and defend. His weaknesses for me comes from the lack of cover and committing to attack.

I wouldn't play Jones in midfield.

If he could used on rotation or maybe move to the right, I think this would be the way to go. I can't see him playing in a centre back roll. Too many natural centre backs at the club but at least Duffy is down the pecking order now.

I think Dan Jones is better attacking but Cedric Evina does look comfortable doing both attacking and defending.

I would just rotate them and choose wisely when to do so.

I wonder if Evina could play on the right with Jones on the left.

Then Ward and Turley in the centre, as I feel this would be the best of both worlds. Defensively three players can handle threats if the centre midfielders pull back to cover. Jones is excellent going forward but questionable at the back at times.

I prefer Evina offers a different style of football and can do everything DJ can but head the ball better. Dj will struggle to even get a looking now.

I like Dan Jones, I feel he's always being singled out for the odd mistake which makes people discredit his whole performance. It's weird because Richard Duffy is prone to making a lot more mistakes and his ability to defend is shocking, Jones attacks and defends - he links play and he generally works hard. Something not often said about others, plus right now I find it bizarre how Ross Fitzsimons continuously gets backed but those who put in effort get criticised.

Jones isn't a bad player, I defended him leading into the playoffs game - he played very well and people came on side.

Now look? Has anyone ever wondered why certain players get the slack but others draw the short straw? It's weird.

I prefer Cedric Evina but I still believe Jones has a big part to play.

1 hour ago, samwatto2008 said:

Dj will struggle to even get a looking now.

I'm not sure, I think Evina may struggle for fitness and consistency.

Jones is incredibly fit, by far one of the fittest in the team and I feel this signing will lift him. He seems the time who pushes himself to be better, so this would be a good thing.

1 minute ago, TheSkipper said:

I'm not sure, I think Evina may struggle for fitness and consistency.

Jones is incredibly fit, by far one of the fittest in the team and I feel this signing will lift him. He seems the time who pushes himself to be better, so this would be a good thing.

Either way it is healthy competition.

Competition is good, and I see no reason why it won't be a good thing for both players.

I didn’t mind Jones last season, I think the real difference with this season for him is the recruitment of the players in front of him, who are more like wingers with limited defensive ability. This causes him to have very little protection especially with Thomas or Enzio playing on the left, is debatably Enzios best position as he seems to look more dangerous having the option of cutting inside.

It also limits Jones best attribute of being able to get down the wing and putting in crosses. Do we really need a player with that ability with Enzio playing in front of him, I would say not. Think if Allesandra was permanently on the left it would work better for him, but as Saturday showed we looked much more dangerous with Enzio on the left and Allesandra on the right whether that’s always the case will have to see. 

I think he, like a few other players would actually benefit from a change in formation notably to a 5-3-2 with wing backs, which would suit many more of his attributes. 

On the bench or in the stand

23 hours ago, GetSmart said:

I didn’t mind Jones last season, I think the real difference with this season for him is the recruitment of the players in front of him, who are more like wingers with limited defensive ability. This causes him to have very little protection especially with Thomas or Enzio playing on the left, is debatably Enzios best position as he seems to look more dangerous having the option of cutting inside.

It also limits Jones best attribute of being able to get down the wing and putting in crosses. Do we really need a player with that ability with Enzio playing in front of him, I would say not. Think if Allesandra was permanently on the left it would work better for him, but as Saturday showed we looked much more dangerous with Enzio on the left and Allesandra on the right whether that’s always the case will have to see. 

I think he, like a few other players would actually benefit from a change in formation notably to a 5-3-2 with wing backs, which would suit many more of his attributes. 

this is a fantastic post.

i agree with the comments about how the new recruits are not very defensive minded, it makes it harder but i also feel that jones is forced to go further in an attempt to support who ever is on the wing.

the defending duties should be handled by the team, so if either left or right back get caught out of position the other three defenders should handle it.

im not sure about the formation as such for me but it could work.

23 hours ago, ARLukomski said:

On the bench or in the stand

Harsh, he's a good player and it's more a failure of Notts to get the best out of him.

He could be a player that made a huge difference and I think he will secure the left back position again.

Dan Jones is consistently inconsistent. There's a good player in there but he gets caught out of position way too much for me and after the red card I think Kewells already decided he's not going to be first choice..

Think the addition of Evina is healthy competition for the position players / managers always say its good to have it , I believe it is and the team could benefit from it , but as above really it’s a team game , defend or attack as a unit a team , something we have lacked in consistently this season so far . 

4 hours ago, Fozzy1994 said:

Dan Jones is consistently inconsistent. There's a good player in there but he gets caught out of position way too much for me and after the red card I think Kewells already decided he's not going to be first choice..

Yeah, the thing is he's never had someone pressing on his toes to start ahead of him and how Kevin Nolan played Dickinson ahead of him his beyond me.

How some Notts fans would have rather kept him over Jones is beyond me too.

Jones will force his way back into the team.

It will do Jones some good to sit a few games out, especially after the challenges that saw him suspended. It will make him work harder to do things right, this desire and attitude could help strengthen the defence.

I like Dan Jones but he is never a full back for me.... best suited to a wing back but I would never have him as a last resort defender. 

I like dan jones he has one more game to serve on his ban. I think everthing will be ok for Jones it could be a rotation thing keep the team on there toes especially the defence I’m sure he could play cr tee back. 

Two capable left backs, this will allow Andy Kellett and Rob Milsom to play further up.

People are writing Dan Jones off, I think he will come back into the squad. As I say it makes sense to have two different players in this position, so there's no harm. Let them battle it out.

9 minutes ago, CTID PIE said:

Two capable left backs, this will allow Andy Kellett and Rob Milsom to play further up.

People are writing Dan Jones off, I think he will come back into the squad. As I say it makes sense to have two different players in this position, so there's no harm. Let them battle it out.

Got to agree with that  mate great point buddy ????????