Do you remember when Rio played in midfield? Smalling is a CB. If Evans is played in LB constantly, there wouldn't be talk about him as the United 'future'.
Phil Jones | 2013/14 Performances
- Thread starter The Don
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Do you remember when Rio played in midfield? Smalling is a CB. If Evans is played in LB constantly, there wouldn't be talk about him as the United 'future'.
I think we are spoilt for choice when it comes to future centre backs. All 3 of them IMO are worthy of any squad in the league.
Couple of posts on the match day forum saying we need new centre backs can do one. We have the future I am 100% sure of that.
Couple of posts on the match day forum saying we need new centre backs can do one. We have the future I am 100% sure of that.
True, but smalling at center back didn't change how shit he is on the ball. A good defender but on the ball he is clueless and it's too risky playing someone like that consistently at a top team that dominates possession.
And his performances at rb are clouding people's judgements on how good he is at cb
I still don't see it with Jones personally. I want him to be this potentially fantastic CB that many predict he will become, but almost every time I see him his game is strewn with basic errors. Yesterday was yet another example of poor positioning, poor communication with his fellow defenders, and he is repeatedly over zealous attempting to recover situations.
Just doesn't look like a competent CB to me, he reminds me of David Luiz, a talented player but not a CB that can be relied upon.
For all our midfield issues, it now appears that Moyes biggest challenge is sorting out a new and effective CB pairing. One from Evans - Jones - Smalling to pair with Vidic. Whichever way you look at it, it's not working at the back so far. Fergie was able to get away with a relatively weak midfield for the past few years, because of the solid and reliable defence behind them. Moyes simply doesn't have that luxury anymore. This is what we are seeing now, an unbalanced midfield in front of a shaky and disorganised defence.
For me Smalling and Evans should be our pairing if Vidic isn't fit. Evans is experienced enough now, and Smalling is a far better option than Jones at CB imo. Jones should play RB or not at all in my view, he is currently a liability at CB, and is simply compounding the uncertainty issues we have already in that central area. Smalling is the most natural young defender we have in my view, and he would be the one to benefit most from an extended spell with Vidic. He has the height and the pace to best compliment Vidic at CB, and same applies to him partnering Evans in Vidic's absence. One thing is for sure it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later. Yesterday was a horror show with Jones and Evans as a pair, no team wins anything without a competent defence, and it is looking as I originally feared, that having promising young CB's is just not the same as having a tried and trusted title winning pairing. We now have to find another effective pairing from what we have, or sign someone else and get rid of a couple. Either way we cannot continue as we have so far and expect our performances to improve.
Just doesn't look like a competent CB to me, he reminds me of David Luiz, a talented player but not a CB that can be relied upon.
For all our midfield issues, it now appears that Moyes biggest challenge is sorting out a new and effective CB pairing. One from Evans - Jones - Smalling to pair with Vidic. Whichever way you look at it, it's not working at the back so far. Fergie was able to get away with a relatively weak midfield for the past few years, because of the solid and reliable defence behind them. Moyes simply doesn't have that luxury anymore. This is what we are seeing now, an unbalanced midfield in front of a shaky and disorganised defence.
For me Smalling and Evans should be our pairing if Vidic isn't fit. Evans is experienced enough now, and Smalling is a far better option than Jones at CB imo. Jones should play RB or not at all in my view, he is currently a liability at CB, and is simply compounding the uncertainty issues we have already in that central area. Smalling is the most natural young defender we have in my view, and he would be the one to benefit most from an extended spell with Vidic. He has the height and the pace to best compliment Vidic at CB, and same applies to him partnering Evans in Vidic's absence. One thing is for sure it needs to be sorted sooner rather than later. Yesterday was a horror show with Jones and Evans as a pair, no team wins anything without a competent defence, and it is looking as I originally feared, that having promising young CB's is just not the same as having a tried and trusted title winning pairing. We now have to find another effective pairing from what we have, or sign someone else and get rid of a couple. Either way we cannot continue as we have so far and expect our performances to improve.
He's 21 and fair way away from his peak, doesn't help Jones that the midfield is porous and our fullbacks yesterday were more or less useless defensively. The 2nd goal was rash from him, the Walters chance was unfortunate because Crouch pulled off onto Evra and we didn't account for that meaning Evans and Jones both caught a bit square. Jones is more than capable of dealing with Crouch but yesterday seemed a bit of unsure of himself, I remember away at Stoke a while back he played with Rio and had Crouch in the air only for Crouch to use his arms on a corner and score. He's quick, strong, good on the ball and many of his issues simply come down to youth. Really think leadership was the biggest issue defensively yesterday however players like Evans, Jones and Smalling will grow into it.
The biggest problem in the defense yesterday was by far and away the full backs. Jones made a few errors and a pretty bad one for the free kick which was very harshly punished.
Much more good than bad in the last few games. Idiots need to remember that every young centre back will have these games and make silly rash decisions. Evans anyone?
Much more good than bad in the last few games. Idiots need to remember that every young centre back will have these games and make silly rash decisions. Evans anyone?
Jones is doing young Ferdinand atm, relying on his pace whenever he makes mistake.
Well they better grow into into it pretty quickly! Much more defending like that and we will be well and truly out of the title race before Christmas. Additionally this highlights the issue of buying young defenders only to restrict their gametime. Jones, Smalling and Evans would now be much further on had they played more first team games in their proper positions. We seem quite happy to play our young CB's at RB, rather than giving them a run of games in their proper position alongside an experienced defender. That's surely how you improve. Not by only playing the odd game with an unfamiliar partner when others are unavailable. Leadership is the issue, it's not that surprising that they looked shaky when they rarely get a game, and when they do they have no form or confidence and limited experience to fall back upon. Those are hardly ideal conditions, and it is asking too much to expect them to produce the required standard. It can even be counter productive when things don't go well, as it only serves to increase the pressure and the scrutiny upon them, which makes it harder to enjoy their football, which i feel is important for a young player. We saw a similar situation regarding Evans a few seasons ago, and it affected him negatively and kept him out of the first team for a good while after.
I just don't get it personally. When have we ever played Rio or Vidic as full backs? We want consistency not versatility, and we will only get that by them playing games in their favoured position with an experienced partner who provides assurance and gives them confidence.
Im struggling to recall him playing at CB and not having one of 'these games'. Of course the odd error here and there is understandable, but for me he makes basic positional mistakes in every game he is played there. He get's caught out of position time and again, and is then rash trying to recover the situation. I'm not convinced personally, i just don't see that natural proficiency for defending that i see with Smalling.
Smalling looks like a natural CB to me, his only issue atm is confidence. He looks shaky and uncertain on the ball, but he looks comfortable defending for the most part in my view. i would definitely be looking at him as the most natural replacement for Rio, and would give him a run alongside vidic or Evans as soon as is possible. Jones is more comfortable on the ball, and is confident going forward, making him easily the better RB option of the 2.
Better protection in front of them would help too. Yesterday was a reiteration of why Cleverley and Carrick doesn't work. Far too open when we lose possession, and not enough pressing of opponents when trying to win it back, so the CB's and FB's were exposed time and again.
Don't know how long vidic is out for, but this would be my offering:
Jones----Smalling-- Vidic----Evra
--------Carrick-----Fellaini-------
Valencia-----Rooney------Januzaj/Kagawa
---------------RVP---------------
Plenty of height and strength, and more solid in front of the Cb's. If we can press a bit higher up the pitch, it will make it easier to give the attacking players better service in more advanced areas, which can only be a good thing.
Um, you wouldn't play Rafael? You know, a natural RB, our best RB.
Nice to see him grab a goal. Well taken.
Something tells me the Puskas award is about to be renamed.
He's Phil fecking Jones, and he scores amazing goals, Phil fecking Jones.
The PhilJonesossobillities are endless with him.
The greatest goal of all time.
No need to waste time counting the votes for the Ballon d'Or. Phil Jones will swing by to pick it up in the morning.
No need to waste time counting the votes for the Ballon d'Or. Phil Jones will swing by to pick it up in the morning.
Greatest Human Being...in the WORRRLLD.
Any pics of his face as he struck it yet?
He'll run there pick it up and run back, without stopping. Phil Jones don't need no car.
The trophy itself is a big solid golden ball, isn't it?
He'll probably do some head-ups with it, all the way home, then volley through his front window.
Greatest Goal of All Time from the Greatest Human Ever
Wow. That is the greatest goal that I have ever seen. What a man!
What a sexy goal from a sexy man.
foosed!
How predictable!
Anyway, forget his face, I prefer him in midfield to Fellaini.
The British Media should elect the official Phil Jones photographer for his own section in one of the papers every single day ever. He deserves it
Greatest Goal of All Time from the Greatest Human Ever
Volley! Better than Mark Hughes and Van Basten combined.
Don't know what the keeper is looking bemused for. He knew this was going to happen the moment Phil Jones was
I bet every photographer pretty much spends 80 of the 90 minutes of united games focusing on the Jones Face, just to get one of those epic gurning pictures. He's a legend.
That was what Cantona wishes his cup final winner against Liverpool looked like.
Van Basten bowed down to Jones after that.
Needs replacing:
Would be amazing!
Edit: Might steal it for the front page of my facebook.
Hilarious!- Status