Pogue is a keen admirer of Evans.
35
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 17
- Clean sheets
- 9
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 1
Pogue is a keen admirer of Evans.
Is he?
I swear this is one of those Emperor's clothes things, everyone talks about his great distribution and how bad Smalling's is, so this season when its reversed people make a big song and dance about it being reversed.
I can't remember the last time Evans distribution was actually good, but I can remember a hell of a lot of misplaced passes brushed under the carpet because he's 'usually' good. It just doesn't rally with reality, I'm sure.
His passing range at least was the best among our CB's, up until this season anyway. Seems to have left him when his confidence went.
He's very comfortable on the ball, does that make him a good distributor too, maybe, maybe not. I wouldnt champion his distribution either. Its probably a case of people making both categories out to be the same and choosing to be positive about his short comings.
I think his passing out from the back has noticeably regressed this last couple of seasons. Doesn't look as assured as he once did.
Try to remember last season. That'll do it.
I try to mentally block out last season.
Evans' distribution and ability on the ball is only 'good' compared to our other CHs. Compared to the very best defenders its pretty average in all honesty.
He's had strong composure, not necessarily distribution and technique. Whilst the terms aren't mutually exclusive, they are often put together as one by fans, incorrectly in my eye.
Better performance by him, bit more confident when he's in the lineup. Still dont think he'll come out as the winner in the battle between Smalling:Jones:Rojo:Evans
I actually feel that time is running out for him. He's had plenty of awkward defensive moments and he's also becoming increasingly poor in his passing.
fair enough.Have a look at this thread, from February 2014. Lots of praise for his distribution but, more importantly, no criticism about it either. He's a player that divides opinion with loads of caftards quick to highlight any weakness in the game. The absence of comments about poor passing pretty much confirms it wasn't in evidence last season.
The consensus of the thread from Evans fans and doubters alike would have him as the best of all our central defenders in terms of ability on the ball.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/jonny-evans-what-do-we-think.385437/
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This. Smalling and Rojo have been our best pairing, and Jones has been better than Evans as well.
They're the only two who've played as a pair.
They've been our best CBs IMO. So in a back three with everyone fit I assume they'd get the nod. I'd have Jones down as the third.
Have a look at this thread, from February 2014. Lots of praise for his distribution but, more importantly, no criticism about it either. He's a player that divides opinion with loads of caftards quick to highlight any weakness in the game. The absence of comments about poor passing pretty much confirms it wasn't in evidence last season.
The consensus of the thread from Evans fans and doubters alike would have him as the best of all our central defenders in terms of ability on the ball.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/jonny-evans-what-do-we-think.385437/
In fairness, I didn't say his distribution was bad last season; its just that it didn't strike me as good. And I stand by that, I think a lot of the time when he did miss pass the ball we'd get a lot of comments along the lines of 'brainfart by Evans' rather than critiquing it for what it is, a misplaced pass. I feel like he's been living off the reputation from the time when it was a bit more impressive by not being overtly bad without people really noticing there's been a dip. Obviously this season has been a lot worse and I completely agree that rustiness is a likely explanation for why its so bad; I just can't remember a time, post Ferguson, where I've ever been left with the impression that Evans had a particularly outstanding game on the ball.
I feel like its one of those things where when a player clearly lacks one attribute to their game they tend to get others praised to conform to the mould. So as Evans does tend to lack physicality people will wax lyrical about his technical attributes to compensate,
leading to the over-emphasis of Evans ability to pass the ball becoming as accepted as myths such as Rooney's lack of speed, Rafael's recklessness, and Fellaini's lack of technical ability. All things that are just repeated ad-nauseum on here until the community basically accepts it as a fact. Its the same hive mind mentality that saw people take genuine offence at the term 'Man Utd' on here for absolutely years before someone did some research and realised it wasn't actually offensive in the slightest.
I have no real evidence to support this claim, and realise I'm not going to convince anyone of it without it, but just a brief check of Evans' stats from last season does nothing to dissuade my argument. Taking into account the obvious flaws with using passing stats as the basis for any argument he nevertheless had a worse completion percentage last season than any of Terry, Cahill, Demichelis, Kompany, Agger, Skrtel, Koscielny, and Mertesacker. Most of that list you wouldn't claim had excellent distribution, yet Evans still sits upon the bottom of it. As I said, pass completion stats provide nothing definitive, but its nonetheless food for thought.
They have been our best CBs. Just pointing out that the fact they're also our only CBs to play as a pair might be more than just coincidence.
He's awful on the ball and goes almost immediately into panic and hoof mode as soon as an opponent comes within 50 feet of him.
He's improved every match I think. Distribution needs to get better though. For some reason he just bugs me, but I try not to let that interfere when I assess him. It does seem like some on here are looking for him to fail though.
Why was he taken off? Not another injury again?
He did motion to the bench a few minutes earlier.
I thought he had picked up a knock. Wouldn't surprise me if he misses the Stoke match. Didn't look to be serious though if he did get something.
A decent squad man, but greatness will forever elude Jonny.
Jonny reached greatness the moment his studs met Drogba's chest. Forever in our hearts.
Really?
I thought it was more to do with Spurs starting to press the defence and him electing to just kick it away as hard as he could every time they came near him. He'd given us a couple of minor scares just before he came off.
No doubt he started to struggle but that doesn't mean he wasn't feeling something but the subs did seem planned. To be able to give Rafael, Shaw and Smalling minutes.
IMO- Of our three center backs from the SAF era, he looks most likely to get the boot if we get a new defender in.
Had a good game defensively though. Bad at distribution, but then when the center backs were being pressed in the second half, Carrick should have dropped back a little more to receive the ball
Had a good game defensively though. Bad at distribution, but then when the center backs were being pressed in the second half, Carrick should have dropped back a little more to receive the ball
In all the talk about the way Spurs pressed our back 3 in the second half, have they been given any praise? Or has it all been about our defenders not being good enough and midfielders being cowards in not wanting the ball?
Yeh, taking the piss a little but point stands.
Yeh, taking the piss a little but point stands.
I think he came off because he was tired, not because of an injury.
I'm not getting into rehashing old debates, basically we need to bring in a top quality CB and you can't just keep buying, you have to move some players on to make room, of the 4 senior CB's Evans is the one I would sell and who I think will be sold.
I'm not getting into rehashing old debates, basically we need to bring in a top quality CB and you can't just keep buying, you have to move some players on to make room, of the 4 senior CB's Evans is the one I would sell and who I think will be sold.
Thought he was competent enough, better than McNair.
I was a bit disappointed with his play. I think I'd have him as 4th choice among CB's behind Smalling, Jones and Rojo at this point.
Starting to think he'll be starting at CB for Newcastle, Villa, West Ham (Reid would be a good partner for him) or replacing Distin in Everton's injury-based rotation of CB's.
Starting to think he'll be starting at CB for Newcastle, Villa, West Ham (Reid would be a good partner for him) or replacing Distin in Everton's injury-based rotation of CB's.
2 very encouraging performances against Newcastle and Spurs. Although his distribution was wayward at times yesterday, he is looking a lot better on the ball for me - looking confident in possession. I'm not worried about his play on the ball as it is clearly a confidence thing which will improve alongside his defensive displays.
The criticism he was getting was probably fair but he was just coming back from injury so was off the pace. I would like to see a Jones -- Smalling -- Evans back 3 if we are to stick with 3 at the back.
The criticism he was getting was probably fair but he was just coming back from injury so was off the pace. I would like to see a Jones -- Smalling -- Evans back 3 if we are to stick with 3 at the back.
I thought his defensive work was sound throughout but he still doesn't look comfortable playing it out from the back in this formation.
He has proved his distribution is good enough long time ago, I don’t think it’s debatable. However, he seems to hoof it quite a lot those days, not sure if it’s the instructions or he’s low on confidence (could be both). I actually liked Rojo distribution from the back (kept it on the ground), seemed more confident to travel forward with the ball too.
Jones – Smalling- Evans will be interesting, and about twice as good as it was without Chris.
Jones – Smalling- Evans will be interesting, and about twice as good as it was without Chris.
I thought there was a few times in the last two matches where when he was on the ball and was looking for someone to play it too that there was a serious lack of options or movement going on ahead of him. He does seem to be getting into the swing of things now though, he looks a lot more comfortable in himself and looking like a lad that's gaining confidence by the game. Long may it continue.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
While Evans has been on the pitch in the following games:
Villa
Newcastle
Tottenham
we have conceded only 2 goals (1 of which was a penalty, for whom Jones was directly responsible).
Have I got this right?
While Evans has been on the pitch in the following games:
Villa
Newcastle
Tottenham
we have conceded only 2 goals (1 of which was a penalty, for whom Jones was directly responsible).
Have I got this right?
We all know he's world class defender but people just being afraid to admit it.
Yeah but that's thanks to the other 10 players on the pitch working harder to make up for Evan's mistakes.
Am I doing this right?
Unfortunately I think that's the case. Just watched the Spurs game and lost count of the number of times he failed to spot the quick pass - instead he shuffled forward aimlessly until all passing lanes were blocked then booted the ball upfield to nobody. (In my view, shuffling forward with the ball is a sign of indecision not composure. Obviously a lot of posters disagree with me on this.)
In that case, what you are doing is criticising a defender, for not having creative vision.
Once Blind is back, if in doubt, the defenders can pass to him and he will find a creative pass (to our attacking midfielders). That's what he is there for.
When I judge a defender, its on his ability to defend and looking at the stats, opposing strikers have not done well against our defence, since Evans has been playing.
Let the defence ensure that the ball doesnt go in the back of our net.
Let the attackers ensure that the ball does end up in the back the opposition's net.
If you are looking for a ball playing (intelligent/confident) defender, it may take a while for Evans to get there...if ever.
Fletcher is a lost cause. But I think that Evans still has a job to do at the club.
Once Blind is back, if in doubt, the defenders can pass to him and he will find a creative pass (to our attacking midfielders). That's what he is there for.
When I judge a defender, its on his ability to defend and looking at the stats, opposing strikers have not done well against our defence, since Evans has been playing.
Let the defence ensure that the ball doesnt go in the back of our net.
Let the attackers ensure that the ball does end up in the back the opposition's net.
If you are looking for a ball playing (intelligent/confident) defender, it may take a while for Evans to get there...if ever.
Fletcher is a lost cause. But I think that Evans still has a job to do at the club.