Ronaldo, when the reality of facing Jones in the CL hit him ... Guess, who went on to save him ?
Phil Jones | 2013/14 Performances
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A noob (PatMahoganyman)
wanted me to post this link in here
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...jones-my-manchester-united-career-so-far.aspx
wanted me to post this link in here
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...jones-my-manchester-united-career-so-far.aspx
Lots of people are undermining his contribution from the midfield. I thought he was great vs Madrid.
That's because his contributions from midfield as usually a bit crap. He doesn't have the technical ability to play there long term. He'll a job once in awhile when we need someone putting their foot I like against madrid but our ability to hold the ball decrease due to him being included so it should be very rare.
Thats because it was not a standard midfield role - he was assigned pretty much a man marking role, which I think he can deal with and concentrate on a LOT better than when having to use positional sense.
He gets a little lost in centre mid as he is not quite sure when to hold, when to attack etc.
He will learn that with time but he needs to have a set position really, switching between CM and DC is difficult and confusing, but I suppose its better than being benched.
I don't particularly think that's the case. He was excellent against Tottenham, Everton, and Manchester United, but that had a lot to do with the fact he was assigned a role in which he had to man mark the best players (of the above teams): Bale, Fellaini, and Ronaldo. Due to his physical capacity, he is a great player to have when given such a big role. The problem, however, lies within his technical and positional limitations. There are so many examples where he just doesn't know where to pass or what to do with the ball - he even explained in an interview that it's hard to play in midfield because you have to be fully aware of your surroundings. He's predominantly a centre-back. He's a good right back, too, but in midfield, he isn't competent enough to recycle possession and relieve the team off pressure.
There's a distinct difference between doing a job and being good enough to aid in controlling a midfield against a top team. Let's be honest, Madrid trampled over us for huge parts of the tie in midfield - various players did very well given their roles but we need to strive for better than that. It felt a lot like we were underdogs doing very well to limit far superior opposition, which isn't really right given the sort of fire-power we have upfront.
Jones currently is good enough perhaps to play a basic anchoring role in a three man midfield against weaker teams, but is not good enough yet to do what is required at the very top end of the scale. The difference between him and players like Busquets/Carrick is absolutely enormous, and we can't afford to have a player in this day and age that is unsure positionally and/or not comfortable in possession. That player needs to be constantly willing to take the ball and be comfortable in doing so, otherwise it all collapses from the bottom up and the team loses its composure. This is especially the case if you have a deeper forward or a set of centre midfielders that like to press the man in possession.
Basically, you can have a player that looks like he's doing a job with the things he is doing well, but is actually holding the team back significantly with the things he isn't.
Jones currently is good enough perhaps to play a basic anchoring role in a three man midfield against weaker teams, but is not good enough yet to do what is required at the very top end of the scale. The difference between him and players like Busquets/Carrick is absolutely enormous, and we can't afford to have a player in this day and age that is unsure positionally and/or not comfortable in possession. That player needs to be constantly willing to take the ball and be comfortable in doing so, otherwise it all collapses from the bottom up and the team loses its composure. This is especially the case if you have a deeper forward or a set of centre midfielders that like to press the man in possession.
Basically, you can have a player that looks like he's doing a job with the things he is doing well, but is actually holding the team back significantly with the things he isn't.
Yes!
Wasn't at his barnstorming best today but did his job well. Needs to work on his passing though, lest he become the second coming of Gary Neville.
Whoever he's looking at there is about to cease to exist.
If its the sky we might all be fecked!!!
Look hard enough and you can see the death ray beams coming out of his pupils.
Its weird how he has digressed as a full back. Used to be much better going forward and had a good cross on him. Defensively solid today but didnt offer much going forward.
I think he's always been erratic there with his attacking play, it's much more noticeable at the moment because Valencia uses his fullback so much.
He didn't offer alot today going forward but I think it's enough for him to be defensively solid there.
Him and Valencia are not an exciting combo.
Him and Valencia are not an exciting combo.
I thought he really hurt himself badly on the shoulder but I guess it's the turf that suffered the most. Philly just got up as if nothing happened.
I just think he is going to be top centre half. Anywhere else on the pitch he is not going to be effective, whether its full back or in central midfield.
He did have a good cross on him though, that has totally disappeared.
Yep, was very good defensively. Valencia and Jones dont really complement each other, agreed.
Why does he always get injured at least once per game?
Got to agree with that last part, it's why I think Rafael and Valencia go well together because they can swap around. Jones and Valencia just do the same job.
He definitely ha a period last season where the same was being said think he had a run if games where his delivery was really poor and then one game where he put in a peach of the ball. Like I said I think he's a bt erratic there, capable if putting in a great ball or using his power to burst ahead but not much reliable attacking output. Agree totally that he doesn't compliment Valencia in an attacking context. Although I would say that's a lot down to valencias unwillingness to take someone on in a tight area.
For England's sake I'd like to see him get a run at centre back but he's what, 5th choice there? His progress in a particular position could suffer because he is so versatile.
He's had a disappointing start to the season for me; he used to have an excellent cross on him. But yes, playing with a winger who could actually beat his man would make things much easier for him going forward.
Yep, its not something I'm basing on just this game, it has been on the decline since last season. He was much better when he had broken through as a FB. It isnt really a big issue as I see his future at CB but it'd still be a good thing to have.
He needs to play at CB - problem is that he's got the two best defenders in the league ahead of him. Plus Evans as well.
I think he may be viewed as highly as 3rd choice by Moyes at centre-back but he's 2nd choice at right back so in Rafael's absence that's where he'll play.
Not a RB at all. Would rather have Smalling or Valencia there.
He was good defensively but fullbacks at United need to contribute in an attacking sense and Jones was almost a liability at times.
Not his fault and hopefully we will see him in the centre of defense when Rio and Vidic need rest.
He was good defensively but fullbacks at United need to contribute in an attacking sense and Jones was almost a liability at times.
Not his fault and hopefully we will see him in the centre of defense when Rio and Vidic need rest.
He's an absolute horse, he's physically insane.
At football though, he's not the Mae West.
At football though, he's not the Mae West.
He seems to get 'injured' at least once a game?
I'm a bit worried tbh, he seems to have regressed since his first season here.
I'm a bit worried tbh, he seems to have regressed since his first season here.
As right back he went a step back from what was a very exciting first half season with us. Maybe focusing on improving his defensive abilities, which is evident from his centerhalf appearances last season, are the cause. Still, I don't see why anyone would prefer Smalling there. He's not a right back either and is less mobile.
He can find a team mate with a short pass in the opposition half more often than not - Jones has been absolutely terrible anywhere over the halfway line this season.
there was a period where jones was devastating going forward, especially with his surging runs which was almost unstoppable. he has somehow stopped doing that.
we definitely are missing rafael at RB.
we definitely are missing rafael at RB.
Looks like a lad who spent preseason training to play CB and then has to fill in at RB.
I was disappointed with his performance, one thing we know is that he can only get better.
Can we just stop playing him at fullback or midfield. Keep him in central defence or on the bench.
Agreed. I really want to see him play at centre back, or not at all. I think he's done okay as a disruptive defensive midfielder, but it's still not playing to his strengths.
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