Topic: Curtis Jones

[MBL?]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Endo has done really well and been vital to our season. For me Jones and Szobo are a level above in terms of technical ability and above all athleticism.

I'd agree with that other than Endo is the most defensive of the above. In big games he will play everytime he's available along with Mac because it just works. I may be wrong here but that's how I see it.

[RedG13]

Yeah, his ball retention is elite. That then gives us so much control. He is reminiscent of Gini but with more to his attacking game.

Gini was a very good 3rd man runner to score goals(if he was allowed to do that) But Curtis is much better at Ball progression passing.

[Knight]

I'd agree with that other than Endo is the most defensive of the above. In big games he will play everytime he's available along with Mac because it just works. I may be wrong here but that's how I see it.

I think there's a really good argument that Mac, Jones and Szoboslai is the most defensively strong trio. Not least because we're most vulnerable in transition and that's the most athletic midfield we have.

[farawayred]

Soooooooooo glad to have him back!

[Eeyore]

I think there's a really good argument that Mac, Jones and Szoboslai is the most defensively strong trio. Not least because we're most vulnerable in transition and that's the most athletic midfield we have.

Especially with the way we set up on the right with Bradley playing almost as a right winger and Mo allowed to cheat defensively. For me Szobozslai is the option to give us defensive stability on the right because of his athleticism. Jones is the best option on the left because he is capable of giving us more width than Macca. So for me the best option is Macca, Jones and Szobo with either of the 8's dropping in alongside the inverted full back in possession to allow Macca to push on at times.

[elbow]

Great to see Curtis back.

There's no-one I want on that field more than him when we need to keep the ball.

[stockdam]

Had a great game tonight and ran his socks off. He holds the ball so well and rarely looks under pressure. For me he starts on Sunday.

[Garlic Red]

I wonder if the manager would have experimented with different formations and systems if he’d had everyone available a bit longer than he has.

I’ve said in the Mac Allister thread a few weeks ago, he was brilliant in his spell as a 10 for Brighton, he did a bit of what Bobby did for us at times, that rhythmic style, absorbing pressure, holding onto the ball and releasing to constantly moving teammates around him. Would he have tried a 442 diamond of sorts? Or would he have tried the 4222 style it felt like he wanted to move towards about 2 years ago with Mac and Endo as two 6s and Jones/Dom as those wide 8/10s? We’re so used to having such an attacking system but maybe there’s a slightly more defensive version of this team waiting to be unlocked once the full array of players are fit or potentially under a new manager?

It’s obviously too late to try anything now and I really don’t think we have a first choice 11 at the moment, it varies on opposition and being a sub is just as valuable as being a starter in this side.

I still think the best version off this system requires the athletic 8s but it really does depend on who we’re playing.

[andy07]

Had a great game tonight and ran his socks off. He holds the ball so well and rarely looks under pressure. For me he starts on Sunday.

Think he will be a very effective option of the bench when the Mancs are chasing the game in the second half.

[duvva 💅]

I think whether he starts on Sunday is down to fitness. He’s been out quite a while. If he’s ready for 60 mins though he should start. I suspect we’ll go more cautious though. Sooner he’s back in the team the better for us

[MinnyRed]

Didn’t look a bit off the pace. Such a good player.

[Persephone]

So happy to see him back, we looked a lot more fluid in midfield once he came on. Ball retention and recycling was much better. Hopefully he can kick on now and end the season on a high.

[smutchin]

I have a Bananarama earworm this morning…

Curtis Jooooones, you’ve been gone too loooong…
https://youtu.be/iSSpPkMlb98?si=6oViutWl30zihBZf

So so good to have him back. Our second best midfielder.

Stay fit, Curtis, we really need you for the run in.

[Buster Gonad]

Our form has been so good I almost forgot how great he is. He's an unreal talent. Like a Gini clone with the ball ot his feet. Compliments our defence and attack in equal measures.  Such a major boost.

[phil236849]

So reassuring to see him back.  He is our secret talent - it feels very much like the non-lfc footballing world does not understand how good he is. 

If we can keep endo, macca, dom and Curtis fit, we will be able to rotate three out of four for the run in.  If we have Harvey also on the bench, midfield options will be looking very encouraging

[TepidT2O]

I think whether he starts on Sunday is down to fitness. He’s been out quite a while. If he’s ready for 60 mins though he should start. I suspect we’ll go more cautious though. Sooner he’s back in the team the better for us

To me, he looked like he was tired at the end of the match.  His football was good, he’s a really good footballer and he’s one that always does what he does and doesn’t really need to find rhythm.
I was keeping an eye on him off the ball, my guess is that he’s still feeling the injury a bit, reckon he’s a starter against Atalanta maybe?

[farawayred]

To me, he looked like he was tired at the end of the match.  His football was good, he’s a really good footballer and he’s one that always does what he does and doesn’t really need to find rhythm.
I was keeping an eye on him off the ball, my guess is that he’s still feeling the injury a bit, reckon he’s a starter against Atalanta maybe?

I think you're right. Half an hour against the Mancs and staring against Atalanta.

[CHOPPER]

He didn’t look happy with his brief appearance last night.

[Sonofthewind]

So reassuring to see him back.  He is our secret talent - it feels very much like the non-lfc footballing world does not understand how good he is. 

If we can keep endo, macca, dom and Curtis fit, we will be able to rotate three out of four for the run in.  If we have Harvey also on the bench, midfield options will be looking very encouraging

Yep. I think he was pretty pivotal early on in the season. Dare I say one of our best players. Certainly felt like one of the most important. Far superior to Gallagher, or Mainoo or some other players who will take plaudits this year. I think he’s been a massive miss in how we control games

[newterp]

Yep. I think he was pretty pivotal early on in the season. Dare I say one of our best players. Certainly felt like one of the most important. Far superior to Gallagher, or Mainoo or some other players who will take plaudits this year. I think he’s been a massive miss in how we control games

Wash your mouth out with soap. Blasphemy.

[na fir dearg]

Thought he was great when he came on, we're getting players back at precisely the right time

[jepovic]

Rubbish cameo unfortunately

[TepidT2O]

Rubbish cameo unfortunately

Looked rusty, gave it away a couple of times as a result . But I thought his calmness helped us

[RedEire]

Took an age to get up when he won a foul in added time, was injured, just not sharp, zero urgency in him today when he came on.

[Studgotelli]

He’s always had the issue of dwelling too long on the ball.

[Dree]

He’s always had the issue of dwelling too long on the ball.

He got caught a couple of times late on but I think Jones coming on turned the game back towards us late on. He’s the remedy to Szobo and before him Henderson in giving the ball away too quickly under pressure.

[JonnyCigarettes®]

Shame he didn’t get on the pitch against United, what with him being the best footballer ever.

[Knight]

He has very few weaknesses but one is a preference to dribble first rather than play forward quickly.

[farawayred]

This wasn't the Curtis I saw in the previous game...

[RedDeadRejection]

He’s always had the issue of dwelling too long on the ball.

It's infuriating when you know he's got the ability to release early in him.

(On reflection this sounds sexual)

[jillcwhomever]

Jeez, he's coming back from an injury. How coming new signings get excuses when they're returning but the local boy gets criticism straight away?

[duvva 💅]

Shame he didn’t get on the pitch against United, what with him being the best footballer ever.

Good post. Well done

[Coolie High]

He’s just coming back from injury, can’t really blame him for a shaky cameo.

[Coolie High]

He’s always had the issue of dwelling too long on the ball.

Ironically I don’t think that’s ever stopped anyone from being a top player, you could say a lot of the greatest players of all time actually shared this ‘issue’ in common, holding onto the ball too long..

[killer-heels]

He’s just coming back from injury, can’t really blame him for a shaky cameo.

Word of warning that with people think Jota, Trent, Alisson all come in and are at their best.

[Draex]

Ironically I don’t think that’s ever stopped anyone from being a top player, you could say a lot of the greatest players of all time actually shared this ‘issue’ in common, holding onto the ball too long..

Much rather he did this than give it away in dangerous positions. Ironic I know after he did the same today but usually he’s totally secure.

[Studgotelli]

Ironically I don’t think that’s ever stopped anyone from being a top player, you could say a lot of the greatest players of all time actually shared this ‘issue’ in common, holding onto the ball too long..

Nah most top players know when to release the ball. Klopp has mentioned it to him before. Noones saying he’s shit but he does dwell on the ball way too long at times when playing quicker would be the better option. 

[jillcwhomever]

Word of warning that with people think Jota, Trent, Alisson all come in and are at their best.

Well lets see if they actually manage that first.

[killer-heels]

Well lets see if they actually manage that first.

What you mean they might not return this season?

[Coolie High]

Nah most top players know when to release the ball. Klopp has mentioned it to him before. Noones saying he’s shit but he does dwell on the ball way too long at times when playing quicker would be the better option.

I can think of a few players who would dwell and almost make love to the ball who were generational players, I can’t think of many who treated it like a hot potato and are remembered in the same way. Sometimes I find some of our other midfielders can play too quick, I think Jones has found the right balance this season.