Jonny Evans - What do we think?

[REJE]

For some perspective -
Terry
Cahill
Agger
Skrtel
Jagielka
Mertesacker
Vermaelen
Koscielnly
Demichelis
Kompany

These players are from our direct rivals and all are better and more accomplished centre backs.

“Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it’s a better cow than the one you’ve got in your own field. It’s a fact. Right? And it never really works out that way.”

Sums up our fans perfectly.. Hear nothing but 'we need this player, he's better than our player' I'm sorry but we're the ones with the fecking best record in England. Even the thought of comparing average bin dipping defenders such as Skrtel & Agger to our own is absurd. You're just throwing names around of popular defenders, doesn't make them better than our own.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Why do people rate him higher than Smalling? Defensively he is certainly not.

 

[stevoc]

Demichelis was for most parts, one half of the centre back partnership which won the league, after a shaky start he was very good.

Evans just isn't rated outside of United and for a valid reason, he isn't that good. Like I said before our fans look for the positive in his play and want to ignore the blatantly obvious weakness he brings to us, because he is a humble, unassuming and nice enough bloke people the fans appreciate that.

When top strikers come up against Johnny Evans they probably look forward to it.

Come on mate Evans is crap because opposition fans don't rate him?

I couldn't give a feck how highly some other fans rate one of our players, half the knob heads i have discussed football with over the years will tell me Uniteds players & team are shit almost every year. Fans generally underrate other teams players we all do it, its because we don't watch them that often, with United its multiplied because most other fans also hate us.

I listened to a conversation in work a few months back where 6-7 fans of other clubs came to a general agreement that Scholes while being a good player was never anything special. According to them didn't score much, can't tackle, not fast, can't head, not that skillful. They begrudgingly admitted he was a 'good' passer but never in the same class as Gerrard or Lampard. So forgive me if i don't put too much stock into the opinions of some opposition fans.

Demichelis being part of a league winning side is meaningless, it doesn't prove he is better than Evans who has won 3.

The majority of our fans appreciate Evans because he is a top homegrown player not because hes seems like a nice bloke, we all bemoan his poor injury record and know he will never be as good as Ferdinand,Nesta etc. but when fit there are few better than him in england.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Come on mate Evans is crap because opposition fans don't rate him?

I couldn't give a feck how highly some other fans rate one of our players, half the knob heads i have discussed football with over the years will tell me Uniteds players & team are shit almost every year. Fans generally underrate other teams players we all do it, its because we don't watch them that often, with United its multiplied because most other fans also hate us.

I listened to a conversation in work a few months back where 6-7 fans of other clubs came to a general agreement that Scholes while being a good player was never anything special. According to them didn't score much, can't tackle, not fast, can't head, not that skillful. They begrudgingly admitted he was a 'good' passer but never in the same class as Gerrard or Lampard. So forgive me if i don't put too much stock into the opinions of some opposition fans.

Demichelis being part of a league winning side is meaningless, it doesn't prove he is better than Evans who has won 3.

The majority of our fans appreciate Evans because he is a top homegrown player not because hes seems like a nice bloke, we all bemoan his poor injury record and know he will never be as good as Ferdinand,Nesta etc. but when fit there are few better than him in england.

If LVG can make Ron Vlaar play like a world class CB(some of the time anyway) Then what will he do with Evans who's far more talented

 

[Keeps It tidy]

If LVG can make Ron Vlaar play like a world class CB(some of the time anyway) Then what will he do with Evans who's far more talented

That is one of the reasons why I am not worried about United signing a "World Class" defender.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

That is one of the reasons why I am not worried about United signing a "World Class" defender.

We have the talent, just need a coach who can make them believe they're world class

 

[stevoc]

If LVG can make Ron Vlaar play like a world class CB(some of the time anyway) Then what will he do with Evans who's far more talented

Exactly mate Evans is by no means a world beater or world class by most peoples definition. But he is a very good player, today i have read him described as average, mid-table, not that good etc. sorry im not having that he's so underrated by some United fans for some odd reason.

With a top coach like LVG and a proper midfield in front of him i have absolutely no worries about having him in the team. If we sign a top midfielder to play in front of him Evans will shine in my opinion.

 

[Raoul]

I have high hopes for Evans, Jones, and Smalling under LvG.

 

[Still ill]

Proper midfield, settled set-up, Jonny will be great.

 

[stevoc]

Why do people rate him higher than Smalling? Defensively he is certainly not.

I rate Evans as our best all round defender, Smalling is definitely better as a pure defender but his distribution and passing is not great in my opinion. Evans on the other hand is very comfortable on the ball and has a decent range of passing while still being a good defender.

I rate Smalling and im hoping LVG can do something to improve his distribution, if he can we will have some defender on our hands because he can be a beast defensively.

 

[Decotron]

Proper midfield, settled set-up, Jonny will be great.

This! Some retarded comments in here. You'd swear he hasn't "done it" for us already at the highest level. He played a huge role in our record breaking defensive run a few years back.

 

[Suus]

Evans shouldve been a full starter with Vidic two years ago. I'm not sentimental when it comes to football, and if it'd been me, I'd thrown Rio out on his arse after 2012.

Pique is 27 years, Evans is 26, yet Evans, who was kept, and Pique sold, hasnt played a full season as a centreback, bcos Fergie has been too sentimental about Rio. Jonny is a great professional, and a leader in our defense - we often see him going at our own players for failing in their duties, and that just makes him worth alot more.

He should start, heck I'd pick him as my 3rd pick behind David and Robin.

 

[Decotron]

Yes because I've been proven wrong on so many occasions. Oh wait....

Your hate for him always amuses me.....

Idiot. An obvious weak link. Always has been.

He really doesn't do headers. Liability. End of

He's good with the ball at his feet. Decision making is average, heading is poor and positioning isn't much better. There is no coincidence that our defensive record when a team presses has gone out of the window when he starts.

Whenever he plays we leak soft goals. That can't be over looked. Worst CB I've ever seem get regular games for united.

Are you joking, Cahill and co are light years ahead of him at defending. If we
are under pressure, he looses all positional sense. Awful defender.

He's never had the talent when the team is under pressure. Not ever.

Granted its difficult to see if you've not played the game but just watch the goals we've conceded over the last couple of seasons when he's played, he will have gone AWOL. He runs to the ball and leaves his man, he jumps to early or not at all when defending in the air and seems to confuse the other 3 members of the defence.

 

[All 3 United]

Your hate for him always amuses me.....

I will add to this for you dicktron.

There's no question Evans can bring the ball out of defence and when we're not under pressure he looks decent.

However when we are pressed and under pressure he makes mistakes. He's a defender! No I don't hate the lad but also I don't rate him as a united defender.

I am so sorry I don't post what you want to read but I happen to have an opinion and tbh that's what a forum is supposed to be about. People like you and others on the Caf don't seem to like it but you know what, tough luck.

 

[thegregster]

Evans shouldve been a full starter with Vidic two years ago. I'm not sentimental when it comes to football, and if it'd been me, I'd thrown Rio out on his arse after 2012.

Pique is 27 years, Evans is 26, yet Evans, who was kept, and Pique sold, hasnt played a full season as a centreback, bcos Fergie has been too sentimental about Rio. Jonny is a great professional, and a leader in our defense - we often see him going at our own players for failing in their duties, and that just makes him worth alot more.

He should start, heck I'd pick him as my 3rd pick behind David and Robin.

He did make PFA team of the year in 2012-13. He should have left in summer 2013 at the top.

 

[Suus]

He did make PFA team of the year in 2012-13. He should have left in summer 2013 at the top.

And thats excellent, however, he still stood in the way of Evans whose always been an exciting talent. I'm just glad we're over the sentimentality of Ferguson.

But its a good testament to the character of Rio for 12-13.

 

[Decotron]

I will add to this for you dicktron.

There's no question Evans can bring the ball out of defence and when we're not under pressure he looks decent.

However when we are pressed and under pressure he makes mistakes. He's a defender! No I don't hate the lad but also I don't rate him as a united defender.

I am so sorry I don't post what you want to read but I happen to have an opinion and tbh that's what a forum is supposed to be about. People like you and others on the Caf don't seem to like it but you know what, tough luck.

 

[All 3 United]

And thats excellent, however, he still stood in the way of Evans whose always been an exciting talent. I'm just glad we're over the sentimentality of Ferguson.

But its a good testament to the character of Rio for 12-13.

Rio stood in the way of Evans. Do we honestly think this would have happened with Pique? This place. Lol.

 

[All 3 United]

Loving this.

 

[roseguy64]

Evans played a lot in 2012-13 and people were suggesting him for the team of the year IIRC. Rio didn't stand in his way. Evans, Rafael, RVP, Carrick and Rio were quality that season. De Gea as well.

 

[LR7]

I love Evans. I don't know what some people see. Maybe it's just fashionable to underrate our players atm. I think we miss something when Evans isn't in the team. Our ability to play out from the back is hampered because it's something he does effortlessly. I think he will relish being the most senior CB and I think it'll elevate him to that next level. I think he will be another one to flourish under LvG and without Rio/Vidić here. I think we are one CM away from having a midfield that won't leave the back 4 open to the opposition running at them totally unchallenged, which didn't happen all of the time but definitely happened far more than it should.

 

[Red Dreams]

he went though a period when he lost his confidence.....then came back solid.

The only problem since then has been his various injuries.

I like the way he plays his way out of trouble instead of just hoffing it....like a sweeper. If he stays injury free, it should be Evans and Smalling as our first choice pairing. They are different and would provide a great combination.

 

[Suus]

Rio stood in the way of Evans. Do we honestly think this would have happened with Pique? This place. Lol.

Then leave.

Pique wouldve seen just as little playing time, due to who and what Rio & Vidic was at one point. Pique was sold as Fergie saw more value in Evans than him, yet he still held Evans back except when injury occured. That's my point. Evans should right now be at the top of his game and van Gaal should figure out who to partner him, not figure out if Evans is good enough as a 3rd/4th.

 

[All 3 United]

Then leave.

Pique wouldve seen just as little playing time, due to who and what Rio & Vidic was at one point. Pique was sold as Fergie saw more value in Evans than him, yet he still held Evans back except when injury occured. That's my point. Evans should right now be at the top of his game and van Gaal should figure out who to partner him, not figure out if Evans is good enough as a 3rd/4th.

Either SAF got it wrong regarding Evans being better than Pique or Pique forced his hand.

Either way you do make a valid point, regarding me leaving the thread (sorry it won't be the Caf!) There's no point going on and on responding to posts and essentially, bashing a player, I don't rate him and I have tried to highlight the weaknesses I see in his game, most on here don't agree.

There's so much to be positive about going into the new season and we are after all routing for the same team.

 

[ottosec]

If we don't sign any CBs, he will be one of the first names on LVGs team. he's our best defender and very comfortable on the ball, I'm convinced he will start most of our games.

 

[Gannicus]

I have high hopes for Evans, Jones, and Smalling under LvG.

Spot on. Louis can work wonders with good players. And if he steel up our midfield all the better to put less pressure on those three.

Evans is very good, but not yet great. Now that Rio and Vidic are gone, it's time for him to step up.

 

[RuudTom83]

Evans is a top defender.

This is a top post.

done!

 

[Ekeke]

He's not a top defender, but he is a good one and hopefully he can get his form back next season. He is also lightyears ahead of our other CBs in terms of playing the ball out of the back. Theres an argument that just the defending matters, but LVG wont think so. Expect him to play, passing the ball out of the back even if Smalling and Jones are defending better than he is.

 

[Glanville95]

If we don't sign any CBs, he will be one of the first names on LVGs team. he's our best defender and very comfortable on the ball, I'm convinced he will start most of our games.

I think Smalling is our most inherently talented defender due to his superior positioning, pace, athleticism and reading of the game, but obviously his major downside is his technique and distribution from the back.

However, despite being prone to silly errors and arguably not as good defensively as Smalling - for me anyway - Evans is easily our best distributor in defence and carries the ball forward very well also and van Gaal might appreciate those traits over Smalling and Evans. A ball-playing centre back is certainly key in his sides defence.

 

[ottosec]

I think Smalling is our most inherently talented defender due to his superior positioning, pace, athleticism and reading of the game, but obviously his major downside is his technique and distribution from the back.

However, despite being prone to silly errors and arguably not as good defensively as Smalling - for me anyway - Evans is easily our best distributor in defence and carries the ball forward very well also and van Gaal might appreciate those traits over Smalling and Evans. A ball-playing centre back is certainly key in his sides defence.

I don't really agree with you. I feel Evans is our most solid centerback at this time. He's definitely not "prone to silly errors". He's been our best performing Cb for 2 years now.

 

[Glanville95]

I don't really agree with you. I feel Evans is our most solid centerback at this time. He's definitely not "prone to silly errors". He's been our best performing Cb for 2 years now.

He's quite solid, but he does make some poor mistakes quite a bit. Anyway, Smalling for me has far more capacity to improve his current level and has more to his defensive game than Evans.

Agree to disagree. Anyway, Evans should be a regular feature in van Gaal's team for the reasons stated in my initial post.

 

[ottosec]

He's quite solid, but he does make some poor mistakes quite a bit. Anyway, Smalling for me has far more capacity to improve his current level and has more to his defensive game than Evans.

Agree to disagree. Anyway, Evans should be a regular feature in van Gaal's team for the reasons stated in my initial post.

When is the last time he made a stupid mistake?

 

[Glanville95]

When is the last time he made a stupid mistake?

Chelsea and Hull are games that immediately spring to mind and that was around January/February I believe. He missed large parts of the season due to injury anyway.

 

[buckooo1978]

He just strikes me as an ideal backup CB

Lacks the presence of a Vidic or Stam nor the class of Rio

I don't see him reaching that kind of level but maybe he'll be a late developer - Gary Cahill for example really came on last year

 

[Eugenius]

I open this thread and I'm being told that fecking Martin Srktel and Phil Jagielka are better centre halves? Bollocks. Jagielka's only experience of top-level football came at the WC and he was shown as being below par. Rodgers is actively trying to ship Srktel out, and he's lucky not to give away a penalty a game.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Only in the CAF people rate Evans, such a poor defender IMO. Defensively he is nowhere near the required level, he is good on the ball tho.

 

[justboy68]

Never understood why some people think he is crap, Evans is a very good centre back. I think he will be the leader of the back line if we don't bring in another top class defender. Evans as the mainstay and Jones/Smalling/Keane(?) coming in depending on opponents/form.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Never understood why some people think he is crap, Evans is a very good centre back. I think he will be the leader of the back line if we don't bring in another top class defender. Evans as the mainstay and Jones/Smalling/Keane(?) coming in depending on opponents/form.

Evans very good? It is oke to rate him but very good? If he is very good what is Cahill? Perfect?

Seriously thinking this lad is rated pure because he is from our academy, Clev and Welbz are also too highly rated in the CAF.

 

[justboy68]

We'll see how it goes when he becomes the main man. I think LVG will like him a lot for his quality on the ball as well as defensively. Cahill only really came into his own last season after having a long run now as a first choice centre back. Evans could well be the same when he gets that privilege, it is true though that now is the time he really needs to step up.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Hope he can stay fit next season. I expect him and Smalling to be our centre back partnership, with Jones and whoever we bring in, rotating with them.