Patrice Evra | 2012/13 Performances

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kouroux said:
You're saying you're using clichés to judge a player who has been better in recent weeks ? I mean Evra has done well in the last month or so.We should enjoy it and not resort to some judgement that was used to describe him last season
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my ONLY criticism of him has been his defence and that's it. I've been pointing it out for two or three seasons along with scores of others. as i said earlier his forward play has actually gotten better and scoring is an amazing plus.
 
gbgary said:
my ONLY criticism of him has been his defence and that's it. I've been pointing it out for two or three seasons along with scores of others. as i said earlier his forward play has actually gotten better and scoring is an amazing plus.
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I agree with you and even the current Evra at his best is still not the player we've come to know a few seasons ago.Players age and they lost their peak but they still can contribute, we should appreciate it
 
Some rest and playing with Welbeck and Young, two players who track back and help him out has made a difference. The left-side, which was the Achilles heel for much of last season, is much more secure.
 
He was excellent again, I really hope he keeps this form.
 
apotheosis said:
Possibly, but while i agree with the overall assessment of average, he had far less very good games than shockers! He had some real stinkers at times, and when your overall form isn't great then the stinkers are what people remember most.
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First of all: great discussion, mate!

The thing about shockers is that we remember them much more vividly than the good things. If a goalie makes ten saves, they are quickly forgotten if he makes one mistakes. The same goes for a defender, albeit the other way around for strikers and wingers - funny, innit? ;)


apotheosis said:
I would happily accept injury as a possible contributory factor, but imo it does not excuse the regular failing to fulfill basic defensive duties that we have seen so often. The bottom line was he was fit enough to rampage up and down the left wing for the vast majority of last season. So if he was fit enough to do that, then surely he was fit enough to defend far better generally, as we are seeing him do at present.
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Injury was clearly a contributing factor - remember when he was thoroughly outpaced by Lennon (which most would be), you could see him almost limping as he was running - same happened when he was skinned by god damn Mackie! No wonder he struggled getting back in defense. He was clearly instructed to contribute in attack, but because of his injuries or whatnot, he seemed to struggle to get back, that and the fact that he played too much coupled with him not getting younger.

Now he is rested a bit more, looks fitter and runs like a normal person, not one of those zombies that are so popular on the big screen.

apotheosis said:
I would also find it a huge coincidence that Evra's sudden return to form has not been the result of a sudden and serious threat to his place. He is now simply applying himself far better in all of his duties in my view. He is tracking back, closing down, covering his centre halves, denying wingers the opportunity to run at him, and as a result he is getting caught out far less.
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I don't see it as a coincidence if he is rid of his injuries - that would explain a sudden return to form, again coupled with him being rested a bit more. He played fifty matches in three (four?) seasons in a row - that's too much!

apotheosis said:
Maybe, but for me i think we were spoiled with a world class defence. Evra was obviously a part of that, but had he defended as he did last year, that defence would not have been as good so often. Seeing Evra defend over the past few games only cements my view that he had become too comfortable, and was not applying himself as well as he did at his best, or as well as he is currently.
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Here I think you are spot on. We had a world class defense with Rio, Vidic and Evra (always felt our right back situation was a bit more unstable). Vidic covered a lot for Evra, but Evra, with his blistering pace, covered for Vidic and his lack of pace. They worked really well together.

I also agree that Evra defends much better now. Could be because he is less complacent, but could also be because he has regained fitness and pace - against Chelsea he outpaced Ramirez - not many players do that, and last years Evra wouldn't have stood a chance.

apotheosis said:
Agree that if this form continues our full backs look very good, and with Smalling and Jones on the way back to take the pressure off Rio and evans, we look in very good shape.
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Indeed - we have a very strong squad, unlucky with unjuries for sure, but hopefully the defense will sort itself out now. Looked good against Arsenal except for that last moronic goal where everyone dozed off.
 
Rossa said:
First of all: great discussion, mate!

The thing about shockers is that we remember them much more vividly than the good things. If a goalie makes ten saves, they are quickly forgotten if he makes one mistakes. The same goes for a defender, albeit the other way around for strikers and wingers - funny, innit? ;)




Injury was clearly a contributing factor - remember when he was thoroughly outpaced by Lennon (which most would be), you could see him almost limping as he was running - same happened when he was skinned by god damn Mackie! No wonder he struggled getting back in defense. He was clearly instructed to contribute in attack, but because of his injuries or whatnot, he seemed to struggle to get back, that and the fact that he played too much coupled with him not getting younger.

Now he is rested a bit more, looks fitter and runs like a normal person, not one of those zombies that are so popular on the big screen.



I don't see it as a coincidence if he is rid of his injuries - that would explain a sudden return to form, again coupled with him being rested a bit more. He played fifty matches in three (four?) seasons in a row - that's too much!



Here I think you are spot on. We had a world class defense with Rio, Vidic and Evra (always felt our right back situation was a bit more unstable). Vidic covered a lot for Evra, but Evra, with his blistering pace, covered for Vidic and his lack of pace. They worked really well together.

I also agree that Evra defends much better now. Could be because he is less complacent, but could also be because he has regained fitness and pace - against Chelsea he outpaced Ramirez - not many players do that, and last years Evra wouldn't have stood a chance.



Indeed - we have a very strong squad, unlucky with unjuries for sure, but hopefully the defense will sort itself out now. Looked good against Arsenal except for that last moronic goal where everyone dozed off.
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Made some good points yourself Rossa, and i think we should conclude by suggesting that we may have summed it all up pretty well between us! :D
 
He's improved defensively off late. Maybe it's because teams don't seem to target him now. But it's great to see him doing well!
 
Haha if the Gooners could have picked two players they really didn't want to score today, it'd have been Evra and RvP. Classic.

Must agree with above posts, last couple of games Evra seems to be getting it together defensively a bit more - solid in the tackle, not too reckless with his runs forward, tracking back when necessary and not getting sucked into the CB position too easily. Concentration seems better too.

Whether that's because of him finally having to (vaguely) compete for his place, or someone has put a rocket up his arse - whatever it is, if it ends in Ashley Cole not ever playing for Utd, it makes me happy.
 
Man of the match for me. Brilliant for the 90.

If he can continue this form, he's back to being the best left back in the league. Cole seems to be struggling.
 
An argument that I have used with mates and in the newbs is;
Evra is accused of being out of position when we are defending, and is seldom the one trying to block the cross.

I don't think for a moment that SAF would not address such a recurrent absence of duty.
More likely, he is doing as he is told.
I notice that Raphael is also being pulled into the middle to defend a cross from his side.
It appears to be a tactic to add numbers to defend the cross, with the winger having the blocking duty.

Whether this tactic is worth persevering with, in mind of our defensive record, is another matter, but it is not the player that should get the criticism for it.
 
I agree he was very good, but that moment that lead to Arsenal's only slight chance of the first half was retarded.

He basically were in the right position, but as the pass was going to be played, he sprinted full-pelt towards the passer as if to willingly get himself wrong-side of Ramsey, for no apparent reason. Then he didn't manage to recover either.
 
Just seen this on F365 Mediawatch...

Interesting column by John Aldridge in Ireland's Sunday World this weekend.

Aldo writes, after reassuring us that he really does think racism is rubbish: 'Patrice Evra opened a can of worms when he started his battle with Luis Suarez over the 'negrito' comment that caused such controversy last year and the John Terry/Anton Ferdinand case served to put this issue even further up the sporting agenda. In the end, where did those two cases get us?'

First off, we'd just like to repeat that Aldridge did indeed write that Evra had 'opened a can of worms' by reporting Suarez's words. Oh, and apologies if we're boring people here, but he didn't say the word 'negrito', as the report made rather clear.

And secondly, 'where did those two cases get us?' asks Aldridge. Well, two people who, in the most positive interpretation of the incidents, used racially inappropriate language were punished. That'll do for us.

Perhaps Aldridge would prefer if such incidents weren't reported. Just kept out of sight, lest it cause a fuss. We wouldn't want a trifling issue like racism to get in the way of more important things, eh?

Aldridge writes that racist abuse was much worse in the past, which is undoubtedly true, but are we really at the point where just because 'less people are despicably racist now' it should be ignored? That we shouldn't make a fuss in case those worms get everywhere? One of the reasons it wasn't dealt with years ago was that black people and players didn't feel they could report such abuse when it occurred.

Aldridge's attitude is hardly helping in that respect.
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A can of worms?! What a fecking tit John Aldridge is...
 
Remember 06-09 when Evra literally never had a poor game?

And he also played every minute of every feckin game too.

It was an insane run that seemed to end in South Africa 2010.

Even the biggest Evra fans must admit he has been a shadow of himself from 2010 up until last season.

Lately he seems back to his best, winning tackles, getting up and down the wing and doing some crazy karate type shit to win a ball or beat a man.

Great to see.
 
Pat_Mustard said:
Great performance today, second only to Hernandez for us imo. So much more alertness and determination in his defending this season, as typified by that great block in the last few minutes.
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Agreed.

Someone in the match day thread was slagging him first half, weird! In great form, #jesuslives
 
I think the introduction of a competent challenge in the shape of Buttner has done him a huge favour. Long may his form continue
 
I was one of his harshest critics last season in the newbs. Clearly the introduction of Buttner has completely raised his game. Seems to be back to his very best - won't be long until a few "Best Left Back in the World" will be said about him.

Carry on Pat!
 
gbgary said:
I thought he and rio we're terrible on villa's 2nd goal.
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I thought the fact that we didn't have a midfield, which allowed Villa to simply stroll the ball around our entire backfour, made his work fecking difficult to do.
 
marjen said:
I thought the fact that we didn't have a midfield, which allowed Villa to simply stroll the ball around our entire backfour, made his work fecking difficult to do.
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the dodgy midfield was a factor no doubt but on that goal weimann sprinted through the watching/jogging rio and evra.
 
There is not really a rivalry between the two clubs, as United have always been superior to City. We have always been Manchester’s first club. The fact that they won the title last season changes nothing--Patrice Evra
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So true. City will always dream of the day they can be truly acknowledged as our rivals. They will always hope for that time where people will see them on the same level as United and you know what...it'll never come. We are superior to them in everywhere. They're a comedy club that can't even sell out their stadium for Champions League nights. Sad.
 
#07 said:
So true. City will always dream of the day they can be truly acknowledged as our rivals. They will always hope for that time where people will see them on the same level as United and you know what...it'll never come. We are superior to them in everywhere. They're a comedy club that can't even sell out their stadium for Champions League nights. Sad.
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In many ways that is true. Everton is currently the best team in Liverpool, but Liverpool is the biggest club; when United, Chelsea or Arsenal face Everton, few people raise their eyrebrows, whereas it is a big match every time they play Liverpool, even if they may be considered a mid-table team atm.
 
Another good match from and another match in which he displayed excellent fitness and energy levels.He was up and down that wing, having a good game againt M'Bia
 
Was poor in attack,solid in defence, I don't now what game were you watching to praise him like that. Last year's evra had better games then todays.
 
Jeez, I disagree Amar. He wasn't spectacular today, but looked like he really cared and was trying his best. Didn't get that last year at all.
 
Amar__ said:
Was poor in attack,solid in defence, I don't now what game were you watching to praise him like that. Last year's evra had better games then todays.
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You're deluded man.Last season he was mostly criticized for his defensive work and his laziness to get back once caught way up front.Last night he displayed both aspects of the game.
What was I thinking ? Praising a defender who was solid in defence :confused:
 
kouroux said:
You're deluded man.Last season he was mostly criticized for his defensive work and his laziness to get back once caught way up front.Last night he displayed both aspects of the game.
What was I thinking ? Praising a defender who was solid in defence :confused:
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It's fecking QPR, he didn't have Hazard against himself to praise him. He offered almost nothing in attack, but was good/solid in defence, so I don't get why should he get some special praise. He was ok, nothing more, nothing less.
 
He does appear to have turned a corner this season. I was fearful that he was done at the very top, but it appears that the mere presence of another left-back in the squad has woken him up.

Also, I don't think the fact that City won the league should be under-estimated in his form. I reckon he's a proper United man, and a winner, and he wants to win it back more than anything.
 
Amar__ said:
It's fecking QPR, he didn't have Hazard against himself to praise him. He offered almost nothing in attack, but was good/solid in defence, so I don't get why should he get some special praise. He was ok, nothing more, nothing less.
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If it was "just" QPR then why did the entire team find it difficult to play against for the entire first half and some of the second half ? You're being completely weird with your reaction.He could have played against a League 2 team that I would still praise him if he played well.
Besides he didn't get any "special" praise, just the usual stuff when one of our players does well.
 
QPR....a team with the likes of Mackey who Evra struggled against last season. Doubt that would happen now
 
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