Above posters are saying we have other options if Jones is out for the long haul, but I have to wonder is this optimism, or sheer deniability? Although Shipley has been impressive, could he remain consistent for the rest of the season? It cannot be denied that he offers us something we've missed in previous seasons from his skill on the dead ball. But does he offer the same creativity as Jones - to state the obvious no he doesn't. The only other option is to alter the formation, but once again it leaves us with the same problem - little creativity.
Over the last few months I've constantly said we need a knew striker to the point I myself thought I sounded like a broken record. But, in reality we're in desperate need of creative players rather than yet another striker.
In the last few games chances have been coming thick and fast, a pleasant change from our form in the first few months of the season where scoring looked about as likely as us conceding. Like the majority on this forum I attribute this largely to the Andreu injury. But with Jones gone I fear once again we'll slip back into that same habit as there's no one that can create goals out of nothing.
The only option is to hold fast until January. But then again this could also quality as either optimise or sheer deniability. Who says we even have the capital to spend? Like previous seasons the only possibility of new faces coming in is down to old ones being shown the exit door. Who will this be? Vincenti, Maycock (loan), K. Thomas (extension of loan)....
I don't want to sound negative although I'm sure I've done a job of it, but it is concerning when a player who's been involved in the most goals at the club (5 goals, 4 assists) could have played his last game of the season when we're barely halfway through.