Evans worst performance for us for a long, long time.
He refused to play football today... I have no idea why.
He refused to play football today... I have no idea why.
Jonny Evans | 2011/12 Performances
- Thread starter Sir Matt
- Start date
Struggled to deal with physical defenders. No surprise as its happened before. That and the fact he lacks match sharpness. Not confident at all and with SAF gone I wonder whether he will find it again? Nonetheless, Rio was the main culprit today and not everything can be blamed on Jonny.
Yeah he was stuffed between Rio and Buttner today. Nothing good could have come out of that
I thought he improved that part of his game massively last season. But right now he's not match sharp. I'd be inclined to give him a start ahead of Rio next time around to bring him along.
He was probably the worst partner for this season's Rio against a physical striker like Anichebe.
Rio was definitely worse, in fact Evans was probably our best defender, but he was still dire... And didn't really do anything to help himself. I was just getting incredibly frustrated by his refusal to move with the ball or play the ball any further then 5 yards, when we all know he is both quite good at taking the ball out of defence, and passing. There were times when he had about 10 yards worth of space in front of him, but he would call Carrick back so he could pass 5yards to him instead of going anywhere himself.
I don't blame him at all today. He should have partnered Smalling, not Rio.
If Vidic can't look like a good player next to Rio I'm not sure what chance Evans or anyone else is going to have.
There is a rather obvious solution to this problem but massaging Rio's ego seems to be considered more important than his performances on the pitch, for some unknown reason.
There is a rather obvious solution to this problem but massaging Rio's ego seems to be considered more important than his performances on the pitch, for some unknown reason.
You know noods... Every time I see Rio hurl yet another aimless long ball forward, I automatically take a moment to consider your feelings at that given point in time... You've conditioned me,
I can't think of a player who's played consistently as badly as him and kept being picked, and I'm being genuinely honest.
There isn't a single aspect of his game that's even close to being up to standard. Even simple things like heading the ball away under no pressure seem like a massive struggle and result in the team being put under unecessary pressure.
Just take him out of the line up for feck sake. You wouldn't keep playing a goalkeeper if he cost you a goal every single time he played.
There isn't a single aspect of his game that's even close to being up to standard. Even simple things like heading the ball away under no pressure seem like a massive struggle and result in the team being put under unecessary pressure.
Just take him out of the line up for feck sake. You wouldn't keep playing a goalkeeper if he cost you a goal every single time he played.
Looked great, nice to see him back, I hope he can stay in the starting XI from now on. Our distribution from the back is much better when he is playing(even though we as a team don't look creative from the back, we rely on just hoofing it these days),his diagonal passes with his weaker foot are ridiculous, most midfielders don't have that in their locker.
He doesn't have one. One of the best passers in the squad and better with the ball at his feet under pressure than most in the squad too.
Our CBs today were doing great job, I don't know who fecked up marking during the corner ( I've been crying about our set pieces this year for a long time now ) but I'd say that they were very, very solid. Evans' distribution today was fantastic.
Was great today, probably our best player. He's just so comfortable on the ball and we look so much better when he plays seeing as he can actually find a team mate with a forward pass. Really should be our first choice defender at the moment.
Yep, I remember him talking about training with his weaker foot because he played as LB for NI, so he feels really comfortable using it, and it's visible.
It's not just passing with his left, he can control the ball, shifts it naturally on his left. He's among the rare breed of players who are comfortable with either foot in almost every aspect of football, Cazorla and Forlan are two others I can think of.
Hes our biggest defensive talent. Never understood why people continuously rate SMalling or Jones as bigger CB talents.
That would be sensible. Thought he was impressive.
Thought he was fantastic last night. Dare I say it, the performance of a future captain. Really bossed the team around. He deserved a clean sheet by himself.
Love the way he brings the ball out of defence. Looks similar to Terry when he was genuinely decent.
The ability to play the crossfield pass from left to right gave us an extra element in our attack, especially since they defended so narrow.
He's so classy on the ball. Never panics, very good long distance passer as well.
Moyes likes this.
Ya he's a good passer is Johnny
He's more comfortable on the ball in midfield than some of our midfielders
True, may be it is because we signed them for big fees while we didn't have to in case of Evans. Some also have the tendency to think they have bigger potential merely because of the better physical attributes they have.
Evans is a future captain material for me.
Agree with this. It's not an overreaction from last nights performance but that match was the perfect example of his leadership qualities. He really looked a mature presence out there. He reads the game well, he is vocal, he loves the club and he is proving to be on of our strongest defenders.
It will be a hot topic at the end of the season with Vidic and Evra's futures up in the air and at the moment, Evans has my vote.
Certainly not based on last night's game because he has shown that quality throughout his career (at youth levels, Antwerp, Sunderland). As a youngster breaking through first team and playing next to names likes Rio and Vidic it was obviously harder to do that but it is finally coming through.
Both him and Jones were really good yesterday.
I still remember the first game I went to at Old Trafford, United v Celtic in the Champions League in 2008. Evans partnered Vidic and while there was no real threat from Celtic, I remember his performance and the way he just bullied anyone who came near him. I obviously took many memories from that night but I remember thinking just how bright his future was if he took his chance. He really has everything that the modern defender needs plus a little of the old school hardman which always helps a centre half.
I would really love to see him captain the club.
I would really love to see him captain the club.
Evans is a quality player! I don't know about him being particularly hard, but he's definitely not one to shy away from a tackle. He's more of a Rio type player than he is Vidic.
Well Vidic is an animal, so it's hard to compare him to Vidic but he does like a battle with his man and he never takes a backwards step.
As bad as it was, you can only admire him going and putting one on Drogba.
Hmm, I also like how he progressed a hell of a lot after the 6-1 defeat and I don't think he's been sent off for absolutely ages.
Which is why I think the partnership with Jones is a good one. Phil likes to get tight and try to win the ball, Evans is cleverer with his positioning and can play the covering CB. On top of that, they're both pretty comfortable on the ball for defenders, and both good in the air (Evans especially).
Ok, well we will be playing with 10 men in the Champions League this week, no doubt.
Evans is more Rio than Smalling ever was. I think its going to be tough for us (which is a good thing) when it comes to using those 3 as the preferred two, especially if they all develop into top class players. Smalling is probably in the middle of the two in terms of playing style.
I really think and have been pretty vocal about it, I really think we could play 3 at the back. Now I know the challenges it brings but hear me out. Evans, Jones and Smalling are all CB's, all good on the ball, Evans obviously the strongest. Rafael and I would opt for Fabio but any attacking LB (Baines?). I really think it would work, or at least worth a try. Something like this.
-De Gea-
-Jones- -Smalling- -Evans-
-Rafael------------------------------Fabio-
-Carrick- -Cleverley-
-Kagawa-
-Rooney- -RVP-
With this, you have 3 strong central defenders who can play. Two midfielders who can receive the ball and play out. You have width with the twins. When the ball is on our right, Fabio drops in and makes 4 at the back and the same goes the other side, if Fabio is pressing the ball on the left, Rafael comes in at RB.
It enables Kagawa to be used in his best position and keeps Rooney and RVP in the side.
Again, I know the issues that this system has but I think we have the players that could pull it off.