Athleticism and bottle

It has been interesting to see the team’s that Nathan Jones has picked so far.

Derby tomorrow will be his fifth game since taking over as manager and only four players have started every game. They are Harry Isted, Lloyd Jones, Terell Thomas and Tennai Watson.

The new boss knew Isted and Lloyd Jones and put trust in them to represent what were the minimum standards that he demanded. The other two would not have appeared on many supporter lists if asked who the ever-presents until now would be prior to Reading.

It is not surprising that he has attempted to keep the defence consistent. We will miss Lloyd Jones these next two games because he has been fantastic since the new gaffer came in, but so has Thomas. Not earth shattering good, but simple straightforward and virtuous.

Watson (T) may not have played as much if Kanye Ramsey could’ve lasted longer than 80 minutes, but although I don’t expect for a minute that Jones sees him as a wing back that is going to win us promotion, he does see in him a player that has done a job admirably and has put in real shifts.

Nathan Jones has a multi-faceted plan with many stages of progression for the club, but plan A is to get us out of this mess and for that he wants players who listen, can carry out a plan, have heart and can run all day.

I have not rated Bakinson at all from watching Charlton TV, but a couple of mates who were at The Valley on Saturday both said that it is what he does off the ball that appeals to Jones. Again, I expect and hope for better in the future but for now the loanee can be relied upon by Jones to provide another layer of defence, cover spaces and get up and down the pitch quickly.

Jones wants athletes, and this is a side under previous incumbents that has lacked fitness, physicality, co-ordination, pace and bottle. Many other things besides.

Two youngsters have epitomized every characteristic of a Nathan Jones’ team so far. Karoy Anderson and Daniel Kanu bely their age but are working their asses off and carrying out a plan.

Others had been bounced in and out of the team and it would not surprise me if Coventry and Ladapo both start again tomorrow. Whatever our plight man management and clear communication are leadership qualities that we have severely lacked.

Lloyd Jones of course can’t play tomorrow or Saturday as he picked up his tenth yellow of the season. Hector might start to bring experience, which is okay as long as he doesn’t bring his lapses in concentration. Otherwise I assume it will be Gillesphey.

Jones has an unwieldily large and unbalanced squad (wonderous recruiting again) but I can see that he has the ability to bring people together and garner a siege mentality allegiance.

Anyone and every player in the squad can have a part to play in our battle against relegation but only if they are prepared to run through walls and are able to carry out instructions.