Rovers shoot themselves in the foot again

who had the clever idea to put a clause in his contract?! can't believe it, incredibly poor management

I agree with DARWENBELL on this, you have to see it in Footballing terms. When PJ agreed on a new deal there was the uncertainty around the club and no doubt his agent was making sure he had options. The main thing is if we're his club so he probably won't want to leave just yet unless we get such a big offer that the club can't refuse like with Andy Carroll in January.

Shooting ourselves in the foot or Masterstroke?, The figure is there for all to see, and its case of pay it, or the boy stays. If the shoe was on the other foot and we had £16 million to spend would we blow the whole budget on Jones? I very much doubt it, in fact the would be a serious uproar if we did. The question is, will any club be willing to pay so much for his potential, His clause valuation and other clubs valuations are reported to be miles apart. Football is all about opinions and I do not think he is worth anywhere near £16 million at present, there is far too many if's and buts, I also noticed when he played for the under 21's the other day that he was putting weight on and looked quite out of shape, Less composed on the ball than his defensive partner Smalling, who incidentally was the defender who stood out with his range of passing and his speed. if we can get that figure, which is a big IF, then its great business IMO, There has been too many so called the next big thing players appear on the scene and quickly disappear in years gone by for us all to get to disheartend by his potential exit. Remember Jeffers, Pennant, Delph, Agbonlahour, Bentley, Bendtnar, Macheda, Kightley, Martin Taylor,Cadamaateri, Vaughn, Michael Johnson, Ireland the list goes on of so called wonder boys who have either gone of the boil or just gone of the Map

I don't want Jones to leave but £16 million (as the lowest we would now be forced to accept) is a good amount for someone so young. I know that he has so much ability and potential, however, this potential needs to be fulfilled. I'm sure it will but if he was to leave this summer and we sold for £16 million it's not as bad as it could be really is it?? As it is I still feel that Jones will spend at least one more season with us.

The bottom line for me is that we have a local lad who has come through the ranks and is potentially (and yes of course right now ONLY potentially) one of the greatest Rovers of recent times, and I don't want to see him leave because he's can't be replaced. Not because of his ability, but because of what he means to the place. £16m is a lot of money, but it can't buy us players coming through the system.

£16.5 million is a lot for a 20 year old with very brief experience of the Premiership. Also, now sounds like you might be getting a lot more for him with the scousers moving with a £22 million bid - if you believe the papers. He is a good player and assuming he stays clear of injuries will thrive under the right manager - Dalgleish or The Dark Lord possibly. You have to accept he won't be staying but the question is how much can you recoup for a youth player who cost you nothing.

how can we be so stupid...venky is useless.