Jonny Evans | 2011/12 Performances

It was a penalty because of Evans' poor footwork and positioning. Plus Evans had a poor match before it I thought: allowed a header that almost scored, but went off the post; let a ball roll through which would have been a goal if a Braga player had gotten forward. Fergie had good reason to pull him off.

There may be another reason however, and it may have been planned before the match to bring Rio on for a little alongside Smalling. I believe Smalling usually plays in the right centre-back position. When he was paired with Phil Jones, I believe Phil Jones played at left centre-back. I think Smalling will play from now on because he brings the size, power and defensive headers that United have needed in central defense. That means it will be Evans or Rio partnering him, and maybe Rio will play to his left in the position he was in today. Maybe Fergie wanted to give Rio and Smalling a run out ahead of the weekend's match in which Evans will be sitting on the bench.
 
Bloody hell - saying Evans was poor for allowing the header that hit the post, attacker did brilliantly to get to it, it wasn't a case of poor defending.

As for penalty, Evans did seem to protest but, he's not one to go screaming around once the ref makes the call - it's not like if he protested that it would have got reversed.

As for being taken off - there was mention of a groin issue with Evans, he wasn't removed due to having a poor game.

Also, don't get the "definite penalty" - as quite a few people have pointed out they don't feel it was for their reasons but, can see why it was given but, it wasn't a definite
 
Smalling was off the pitch receiving treatment when Braga hit the post. Think it would be harsh to put all the blame on Evans. There was a lack of organisation at that point.
 
Evans is a doubt for tomorrow with groin strain. Typical of our luck. Smalling comes back and Evans get injured.
 
We can't be having more then two centrebacks fit at any given time! That would be madness...
 
A dubious penalty against him and a groin strain. Wednesday wasn't a good day for Jonny.
 
It might be too early for Smalling to play 180 minutes in four days, so expect him to get another injury.

But don't worry, if Evans a doubt for Villa Park, he's going to be fine next weekend...
 
It was a strange pen... either he had the guts to attack the ball or stood ground...
 
Thisistheone said:
Evans is a doubt for tomorrow with groin strain. Typical of our luck. Smalling comes back and Evans get injured.
Click to expand...

I think hes been playing through injury due to our shortage of CBs. Remember one game he suffered a bad ankle knock and was limping for the rest of the game. He still continued to be picked and I started to wonder if he was fully healthy.

Hes been fantastic this season and a shame if he has to miss extended time due to injury.
 
samabachan said:
It was such a clear pen, can't understand the discussion around it :wenger:

He stuck his leg out to try and get the ball, missed the ball, took down his man. Really struggling as to on what planet that constitutes anything other than a stonewall penalty.
Click to expand...

On planet earth. Even the commentators said there was nothing he could do. As other's have pointed out, it wasn't Evans leg that the player went fell over - it was his bloody chest.

Can see why it was given but, also easy enough to see that ref could have decided the attacker was the one that was at fault.
 
Shimo said:
He was good - penalty was a bit soft and am still seething at the commentary of Warren Barton and more so from that c**t Wynalda - the latter who seems to take pleasure from disparaging United or the players.
Click to expand...

Wynalda was about ready to stroke off on his Evans bile. FFS.
 
Such a brilliant performance in second half. Acted like a leader. Nice goal too.
 
He played well and I like his willingness to breakforward from defence, said before that after getting his first goal i'd expect him to get a fair few now, always gets in the right areas. Hopefully with him and Smalling/Jones fit we can give Rafael a rest for a game or so now.
 
I thought he was huge today. Great hunger for the goal, defended really well and as usual carried the ball magnificently and ran into great attacking space only to be ignored time and time again by our midfielders.
 
Irwinwastheking said:
I thought he was huge today. Great hunger for the goal, defended really well and as usual carried the ball magnificently and ran into great attacking space only to be ignored time and time again by our midfielders.
Click to expand...

This.
 
When Rio made that excellent burst forward today near the end I thought it reminded me of Evans. That's the highest compliment I can pay someone!
 
Love watching him pick up the ball and take it forward. Just seems so calm when he does it. Good to see him pick up another goal as well.
 
marjen said:
He's oozing class.

Quitely eradicated almost all his mistakes.
Click to expand...

I thought he's looked pretty good recently. However, our defence has been very shaky lately. I don't know if it's him or anyone else. I can see him and everyone having a stinker against City - Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko.... ughh :nervous:
 
I've always been a big supporter of his but he still makes too many positional mistakes for my liking.

That said, he's proving to be a real asset at the other end showing great determination to get on the end of things.
 
Sadly all these class performances will be overlooked soon as he has one one lapse that costs us.

The boy is class and I think Jones/Smalling will be fighting between themselves to play along side him in the future. Biggest thing I wonder about is will Fergie play him with Vida when all are fit or will it become the Vida/Rio axis pairing in the important games. Personally I think it should be Evans/Vida - though Rio is still class as well. Evans is a lot less slow on the ball. I found myself scream at Rio to get a fecking move on when he had the ball against QPR.
 
I think Evans is great but I reckon once Smalling gets fully fit he'll probably get the nod ahead of him on most occasions.
 
I dont know if that will happen but I'd like it to. While Evans has proven himself and has runs of solid performances, you can count on one hand the amount of mistakes Smalling has made in a United shirt. I would say Evans is better bringing the ball out of defence but I think the most important part is not making individual errors defensively.
 
Brwned said:
I think Evans is great but I reckon once Smalling gets fully fit he'll probably get the nod ahead of him on most occasions.
Click to expand...

There's no doubt about that in my mind. There's a lot to like in Jonny's game but Smalling edges out Evans in almost every facet of play.

For me, the more interesting question is whether Jones will edge out Jonny or whether Jones will be molded into a defensive midfielder. Only time will tell.
 
Ruud10 said:
There's no doubt about that in my mind. There's a lot to like in Jonny's game but Smalling edges out Evans in almost every facet of play.

For me, the more interesting question is whether Jones will edge out Jonny or whether Jones will be molded into a defensive midfielder. Only time will tell.
Click to expand...

This is the more likely scenario. Can see Evans in the centre-half spot for the foreseeable future.
 
Brwned said:
I think Evans is great but I reckon once Smalling gets fully fit he'll probably get the nod ahead of him on most occasions.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. I rate Smalling as a better player, but Fergie wierdly seems to disagreei think. After Smalling's debut season, where he was outstanding and ahead of Evans, the following season, Vidic and Rio picked up injuries, and Evans was simply played ahead of Smalling all season. Probably the whole experience thing the manager loves!
 
Rozay said:
I'm not sure. I rate Smalling as a better player, but Fergie wierdly seems to disagreei think. After Smalling's debut season, where he was outstanding and ahead of Evans, the following season, Vidic and Rio picked up injuries, and Evans was simply played ahead of Smalling all season. Probably the whole experience thing the manager loves!
Click to expand...

Probably because Smalling has been quite injury prone so far. Also Evans has generally been very good over the last year or so. If he keeps Smalling out of team it's because of his performances rather than experience.
 
Evans is different class to Smalling on the ball.

Furthermore, I feel Evans has really developed the physical side of his game. Smalling's a beast, but I don't think it's much between them as of now. Right now I'd rate Evans as the better CB, but Smalling's got potential through the roof. We're lucky to have them both as well as Jones.

The interesting question is when Evans/Smalling/Jones should jump ahead of Rio/Vida in the pecking order. For me, Evans for example has performed better than Rio for the last year. But Rio's still so composed in the big matches it's almost always worth it to have him in the side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.