[Zigsuk]

Not sure why some are saying Oldaker is being groomed as a replacement for Jones. He is a different kind of player. Oldaker might have some skill and sometimes decent performances but when he plays rather than Jones we have a soft centre.
Every successful team needs and usually has a player like Jones, even better if they have two! Yes maybe Oldaker should play this evening and rest Jones for Saturday, but as people have said we are an immensely stronger team when the old man plays. Maybe Oldaker will become a valuable asset but at present I am still far from convinced. We desperately need a real replacement for Jones. In the meantime I'd like him to play every game, although I know that's probably not feasible.

[danblue]

We look stronger with Jones as he gives protection to the back 4
Oldaker has more of the flair player tag but has been gradually doing a bit of the dirty work when called upon, but not constantly

[azul]

Zigsuk, on 12 March 2024 - 09:24 AM, said:

Not sure why some are saying Oldaker is being groomed as a replacement for Jones. He is a different kind of player. Oldaker might have some skill and sometimes decent performances but when he plays rather than Jones we have a soft centre.
Every successful team needs and usually has a player like Jones, even better if they have two! Yes maybe Oldaker should play this evening and rest Jones for Saturday, but as people have said we are an immensely stronger team when the old man plays. Maybe Oldaker will become a valuable asset but at present I am still far from convinced. We desperately need a real replacement for Jones. In the meantime I'd like him to play every game, although I know that's probably not feasible.

Who on earth said that?

[Carlisle_Spireite]

Zigsuk, on 12 March 2024 - 09:24 AM, said:

Not sure why some are saying Oldaker is being groomed as a replacement for Jones. He is a different kind of player. Oldaker might have some skill and sometimes decent performances but when he plays rather than Jones we have a soft centre.
Every successful team needs and usually has a player like Jones, even better if they have two! Yes maybe Oldaker should play this evening and rest Jones for Saturday, but as people have said we are an immensely stronger team when the old man plays. Maybe Oldaker will become a valuable asset but at present I am still far from convinced. We desperately need a real replacement for Jones. In the meantime I'd like him to play every game, although I know that's probably not feasible.

Oldaker is more of a traditional CM, not a defensive mid as Jones is. Oldaker is better as a playmaker rather than a defensive shield for the back 4.

[Goku]

Carlisle_Spireite, on 12 March 2024 - 09:55 AM, said:

Oldaker is more of a traditional CM, not a defensive mid as Jones is. Oldaker is better as a playmaker rather than a defensive shield for the back 4.

Indeed. I was fully on the Oldaker bandwagon a few games ago but then he fell off form-wise, stopped dominating games (which seemed to coincide with Naylor getting forward more?) and Jones has been the perfect player to replace him and steady the ship. I think most fans feel more confident with Jones in the team and there's a good reason for that, but Oldaker is still a capable player who has played a huge part in our season, some of his passing is excellent and he can dictate games but he's obviously not the most physical player and his languid style probably doesn't endear him to some fans as it's in contrast to Jones' hustle and bustle. Both good players, both important to our team. A younger Mike Jones is the no. 1 player we should be after in the transfer window, imo.

[Zigsuk]

Goku, on 12 March 2024 - 10:03 AM, said:

Indeed. I was fully on the Oldaker bandwagon a few games ago but then he fell off form-wise, stopped dominating games (which seemed to coincide with Naylor getting forward more?) and Jones has been the perfect player to replace him and steady the ship. I think most fans feel more confident with Jones in the team and there's a good reason for that, but Oldaker is still a capable player who has played a huge part in our season, some of his passing is excellent and he can dictate games but he's obviously not the most physical player and his languid style probably doesn't endear him to some fans as it's in contrast to Jones' hustle and bustle. Both good players, both important to our team. A younger Mike Jones is the no. 1 player we should be after in the transfer window, imo.

Your description of their contrasting styles is spot on. When you describe Oldaker's style as 'languid' I was reminded of Phil Bonnyman who was a marmite player with many complaining he didn't get his shorts dirty. I was actually one of those who rated Bonnyman and reckoned those who didn't didn't know football. Oldaker does remind me of him, although Bonnyman was several levels above him.

This post has been edited by Zigsuk: 12 March 2024 - 10:39 AM

[hilly81]

I like Oldaker but he seems wildly inconsistent from what I have seen this season. He is either an 8 or 9 out of 10 or a 3 or 4. There doesn't seem much inbetween. I'm not sure that he can be a longterm Cook player who you can rely on to be at least a 7 week in, week out.

[dart in the crossbar]

Jones is a leader on the pitch; Oldaker isn't. Jones reads the game well and takes responsibility for helping defensively; Oldaker often doesn't read the game or act on what's needed defensively. Jones often looks forwards and sidewards to move the ball and our play forward; Oldaker often looks backwards and sidewards to give the ball back across our back line.

Oldaker has his strengths. When we are on top, don't need to move the ball forwards and they aren't threatening our defence, Oldaker is a real asset; when they are putting us under pressure Jones is the better option by some way. IMHO.

[Fit as a Nelson]

Both good players with different strengths

[sophocles]

Agree about the importance of Jones in our team; he gives us a really strong, solid presence just in front of the defence, which is absolutely essential. He carries out the same role as one of my favourite ever CFC players, Sam Morsy, and wouldn’t it be great if he came back and teamed up with Cooky again? Just checked, and he’s still only 32, so he’ll no doubt still be ok at Championship level for a few years. Maybe we could dream of a reunion with him in a couple of years time if PC gets back to back promotions with us!

[Exharboroughspireite]

Oldaker needs to take a couple of leaves out of Jones book - one far more of a disruptive presence and two, moving the ball forward quicker and with more purpose. He has a habit of slowing play down which gives opponents time to reset.

[Bluenosey]

Jones is a talker on the pitch, he's forever telling the younger players we're they need to be, very noticeable on Saturday with Horton, maybe Oldaker or young Hobson should be picking his brains while they can

[Valley Blues]

I think we need to remember the most significant difference between the two players.

Mike Jones has played 500 games in the EFL.
Darren Oldaker is 25 years old and played 20 ish.

Different players, yes. But there’s a reason for the career appearances and I’d suggest consistency of performance, or maybe lack of, is a major contributing factor.

Bluenosey, on 12 March 2024 - 12:30 PM, said:

Jones is a talker on the pitch, he's forever telling the younger players we're they need to be, very noticeable on Saturday with Horton, maybe Oldaker or young Hobson should be picking his brains while they can

I think in a recent interview Oldaker singled out Jones as being the player he’s trying to learn from.

This post has been edited by Valley Blues: 12 March 2024 - 12:36 PM

[Bluenosey]

He'd be a wise man to do so 🤔

[HaslandBlue58]

Valley Blues, on 12 March 2024 - 12:36 PM, said:

I think we need to remember the most significant difference between the two players.

Mike Jones has played 500 games in the EFL.
Darren Oldaker is 25 years old and played 20 ish.

Different players, yes. But there’s a reason for the career appearances and I’d suggest consistency of performance, or maybe lack of, is a major contributing factor.


I think in a recent interview Oldaker singled out Jones as being the player he’s trying to learn from.

I believe he also said Mike Jones was one of the fittest players in the squad,and that he really looked up to him as a role model.

[Lincs Spireite]

Valley Blues, on 12 March 2024 - 12:36 PM, said:

I think we need to remember the most significant difference between the two players.

Mike Jones has played 500 games in the EFL.
Darren Oldaker is 25 years old and played 20 ish.

Different players, yes. But there’s a reason for the career appearances and I’d suggest consistency of performance, or maybe lack of, is a major contributing factor.


I think in a recent interview Oldaker singled out Jones as being the player he’s trying to learn from.

Correct, in fact I am sure he said he didn't know how Jones knew where to stand every time and was in awe of his skill.
Whether Oldaker can reach those levels remains to be seen, as others said some weeks he is really good, others not so good.

[DIFH]

Oldaker does have a presence, invariably it’s a one touch pass and move way of playing. Jones does put a tackle in whereas that’s not Oldakers strongest play.

[RN Blue]

DIFH, on 14 March 2024 - 02:02 PM, said:

Oldaker does have a presence, invariably it’s a one touch pass and move way of playing. Jones does put a tackle in whereas that’s not Oldakers strongest play.

His presence is akin to a limbo dancer having had some of the 'oly erb'. Talented, undoubtedly, puts himself about, runs his heart out like Jones, not in a million years. He's far too laid back for me.

[Ladybrook Spire]

Oldaker is what I call a tip toe sort of player who's too laid back for my liking and slows the play down. I agree with Zigsuk that he's very much like Bonnyman who was a Marmite sort if player. For me it's no coincidence that our most successful season was with midfielders who could mix it, Ryan and Morsy. Danny Wilson was the same. Arguably 3 of of best midfielders.Jones can mix it,albeit a
different level. Just a personal preference.