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He's turning into a bit of a leader isn't he. Very impressed. He looks quite quiet and timid with his face like a bowl of cold mash potato but when he needs to be he can be fired up, especially when he scores.
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.
I'm just not seeing the potential that everyone else sees in Jones at the moment. I hope to god I'm wrong and that given the opportunity he'll develop into the player everyone says he can be.
Regarding our top 4 centre halves and add Jones we are set for a decade providing injuries don't prove to be a problem and that we get some youth coming up to provide cover when Rio and Vidic finish up.
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.
In what way? Big overstatement I feel. Smalling is very good on the ball and will only get better. Evans is very good don't get me wrong but to say he is different class is off beat.
Pique and perhaps even Hummels are maybe different class right now. Hummels' distribution is fecking exceptional.
In what way? Big overstatement I feel. Smalling is very good on the ball and will only get better. Evans is very good don't get me wrong but to say he is different class is off beat.
Pique and perhaps even Hummels are maybe different class right now. Hummels' distribution is fecking exceptional.
I prefer to see Smalling in central defence over Evans, when Smalling comes in the team he dominates aerially in the box, a part of Evans game that is lacking IMO. I don't think that the disparity in passing ability is that great either. I would already choose Smalling over Evans and Smalling has a great deal of improving to do still.
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.
Despite Rio's continuing class, I think his loss of pace and the quality of Evans and Smalling means he won't be first choice next season, injuries-permitting. I don't know what the situation with Vidic is going to be, but I'd be perfectly happy with those two as a first-choice partnership at the back next season. Actually, I'd be quite excited by it.
Vidic - has to prove his fitness - he's not going to be the same player after being out for combined full season.
Rio - he should remain on a yearly contract as back up as we have a tendency to have at least one centreback premanently crocked.
Smalling and Evans should be the basis of our centre defence unless Fergie spots a real talent.
I think Jones will end up leaving United - I just don't think he is as amazing as so many think on here. He is just a more rapid version of Terry but without Terry reading of the game and composure (yes young JT was a hell of a defender before his injuries)
Smalling's the one most likely to give the ball away out of perhaps all of our centre backs. Likewise for his passing technique - it's the least refined by quite a distance. I've forgotten what Jones is like as a passer to be honest. He gets loads of credit for doing this fancy, largely pointless turns and roulettes and whatnot but when it comes down to the key ball-playing qualities in a defender he's a way behind Evans, IMO. His long passing's a particular weak point. Wonderful composure on the ball but still very raw in his use of it. Unsurprising given how long he spent at Maidstone and he's definitely got huge upside in that sense, but it is a part of his game that doesn't really get as much criticism as you'd expect (and the opposite has been true of Evans up until a few months ago).
Smalling is very underrated on the ball it seems. He used to carry the ball out from the back very well. He looks good enough on the ball when at full-back too.
I seem to recall many United fans calling him 'Smallingbaur', of course as an indication of his ability on the ball.
Agreed. Smalling drove up the flank and whipped in quite a few sensational crosses while he was on assignment at right back. Questions regarding his ability on the ball are ridiculous.
I agree that if people think Evans is a better ball-player than Rio then they've forgotten just how good Rio is or they've gotten well ahead of themselves with the Evans praise. Rio's lost that mobility and become far more reserved and focussed on his defending for a long while now but at his peak Evans isn't in the same league. And then I think Hummels is the next step up. He's playing a different game to every other centre back, he's not a ball-playing defender he's a playmaker from the back. He's not the new Beckenbauer or anything close but no-one gets near him from the current crop.
I agree that if people think Evans is a better ball-player than Rio then they've forgotten just how good Rio is or they've gotten well ahead of themselves with the Evans praise. Rio's lost that mobility and become far more reserved and focussed on his defending for a long while now but at his peak Evans isn't in the same league. And then I think Hummels is the next step up. He's playing a different game to every other centre back, he's not a ball-playing defender he's a playmaker from the back. He's not the new Beckenbauer or anything close but no-one gets near him from the current crop.
A slightly related note, in our very last match against QPR there was a moment when the ball was coming down from up high and Rio was under pressure, and he just trapped it with the coolest first touch and played it out. It was sensational.
Smalling is very underrated on the ball it seems. He used to carry the ball out from the back very well. He looks good enough on the ball when at full-back too.
I seem to recall many United fans calling him 'Smallingbaur', of course as an indication of his ability on the ball.
Rio at his peak was better than Evans with close control but long passing?
I cant remember Rio surginf forward with the ball. Anyone got clips?
A slightly related note, in our very last match against QPR there was a moment when the ball was coming down from up high and Rio was under pressure, and he just trapped it with the coolest first touch and played it out. It was sensational.
Not to mention the moment when he ran from defence, beat a man with a stepover, played a one-two followed by a through ball into the box. Was sexy!
Yes, that's when people massively overreacted because of his composure on the ball. He's a very good ball-carrier (though much more likely to stumble, trip over the ball and gift the opposition a chance than Evans) but his passing has always left a lot to be desired. This thread is probably worth a read if you can cope with the bar charts and stuff (I couldn't)...
https://www.redcafe.net/f6/manchester-united-central-defenders-numbers-331828/
He did one of those "Smallingbauer" half-roulette's too. He just decided in that second half that he's going to remind everyone he's a ridiculously good footballer for some reason. Someone made the point that Fletcher started sitting back in almost on top of the centre backs after 60 minutes and I reckon that must be it - Fletch was wrecked so Evans and Rio took turns doing his job while he dropped into centre back. Can't remember the last time Rio played like that.