The renewal itself wasn't an issue, but the length of it was. Four years for a player as injury prone as Jones was madness, and I'll happily agree with that. It doesn't change the fact he was very much a first team player at the time of the renewal though.
I fully appreciate frustrations with the club for giving him that length of contract extension. I do not understand suggestions that Jones should have turned what was offered down and negotiated himself a worse deal.
Not from Barry, just live here. I'm a northern boy.
Yeah that's fair, to be honest I don't know why but it feels like a bit of a shock to me that he was getting regular games at the time of the renewal because thinking back (when the renewal was confirmed) I certainly don't remember it that way, but I'll take your word on it regarding appearances. The main concern wasn't his ability but fitness and hardly anybody expected him to be able to play much during this renewal.
On the bolded, I agree, of course. Nobody could logically expect anybody to turn down a renewal at United, especially when you know your injury prone and to get a renewal is a huge show of faith from the club, and I wouldn't expect him to turn it down or lower what they were offering, anybody suggesting that is being silly. As far as the clubs decision to renew though, I do have at least some room for understanding where fan frustration comes in.
I think from this point the best that could happen would be for Phil to get back to a semblance of reliable fitness, that has to be the goal, I can't see him getting much time on the pitch for United though in all honesty but I do, contrary to belief, wish him well.
Ah cool, I'm from Barry.