[Pexbo]

While he did get his shit together after that early brain fart, he's never going to be the centreback we need. He's rash, reactive and isn't consistently comfortable on the ball. He just doesn't instill any confidence in the players ahead of him.

 

[LLMU]

After a shaky first five minutes, he grew into the game and showed great composure.

 

[Randall Flagg]

Wonder what the kneejerkers will say? He was very good, and is probably our best CB after Smalling.

They will keep quiet and then destroy him again next time he gives the ball away

 

[11101]

Wonder what the kneejerkers will say? He was very good, and is probably our best CB after Smalling.

Doesnt matter if we're a goal down in the first 5 minutes because of him. A good 85 minutes changes nothing.

 

[Devil may care]

Better in the second half, still a big question mark for me though.

 

[Kag]

While he did get his shit together after that early brain fart, he's never going to be the centreback we need. He's rash, reactive and isn't consistently comfortable on the ball. He just doesn't instill any confidence in the players ahead of him.

Indeed. He was better today but I'm inclined to agree on the whole.

Still, deserves credit for his defending second half.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Solid. Bullied Kane and co.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

He obviously still has mistakes in him but, matches like this show the talent and potential he has as a defender.

 

[SirAF]

Bar his early error he was good today. Still just 22, plenty of time to come good.

 

[kouroux]

He defended impressively in all of his 1v1s.

 

[Señor]

First three minutes, he was abysmal. The next 87, he was a beast.

 

[Eugenius]

Doesnt matter if we're a goal down in the first 5 minutes because of him. A good 85 minutes changes nothing.

It's an overhit backpass. "Young defender who hasn't played much recently in lack of confidence early in game" shocker. It's not like he was all over the show positionally, or anything fundamentally wrong with his play.

 

[11101]

It's an overhit backpass. "Young defender who hasn't played much recently in lack of confidence early in game" shocker. It's not like he was all over the show positionally, or anything fundamentally wrong with his play.

Its not like it makes a difference how often he plays. He does things like that most games. It doesnt matter if he plays like Franco Baresi for 89 minutes if hes gifting goals in the other minute.

 

[kundalini]

Impressive in the 2nd half. Those opening few mins were comically inept. Did well to recover.

 

[Nighteyes]

Played well after shocking start to the game. Still, I've rated him 10 for the game. Didn't have the heart to give anything less to anyone.

 

[Eugenius]

Its not like it makes a difference how often he plays. He does things like that most games. It doesnt matter if he plays like Franco Baresi for 89 minutes if hes gifting goals in the other minute.

He's young and has played half his games in his career in other positions. The odd brainfart can be ironed out of games. It would be interesting if you could give examples of similar, if he does this every game. In fact, I've seen more dodgy stuff from Rojo and Evans this season.

 

[Mainoldo]

Name he really can't play with a football can he.. But other than that he defended well.. Credit for that.

Think him and Evans will have a nervous summer though.

 

[Mainoldo]

He's young and has played half his games in his career in other positions. The odd brainfart can be ironed out of games. It would be interesting if you could give examples of similar, if he does this every game. In fact, I've seen more dodgy stuff from Rojo and Evans this season.

Come on man... Every time he plays he ball distribution is rubbish.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Name he really can't play with a football can he.. But other than that he defended well.. Credit for that.

Think him and Evans will have a nervous summer though.

Evans will. Van Gaal seems to rate Jones I do not think he is going anywhere.

 

[jem]

I missed the first 5 mins (ie. his two mistakes,) so I thought he was very good today. Composed on the ball and generally sound defensively. I can't ask for more.

 

[rooney2009]

Best performance in a long while

 

[ivaldo]

He played very, very well. Might not be a starter but would make a very capable back up.

 

[::sonny::]

I still think Smalling / Rojo is our best partnership

Smalling-Evans

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Gave us quite a scare with the early back pass but never looked back since and supported Blind with slide tackles that ruined the momentum of their wingers.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Impressive in the 2nd half. Those opening few mins were comically inept. Did well to recover.

That's why I don't want to give up on him. He's made from the right stuff. The opening few minutes were woeful but he dug in and clawed his way back into the game. A lesser man (looking at you, Kyle Walker) would have either hidden or lost his confidence completely and carried on being crap for the rest of the game.

 

[itso 7]

Started watching the match after about ten minutes and I thought he was in beast mode. He certainly needs to iron out the occasional brainfart and he will be well on his way- at 22 he is worth keeping and reassess after eighteen months.

 

[Tribec]

Today apart from the obvious back pass, he was outstanding. He never pulled out of a challenge, he was strong into every tackle and even read situations well. He also kept things simple in terms of distribution, which was more than could be said for Smalling, who after running 10 yards with the ball either fell over the ball or couldn't find a red shirt. An absolute rock today Jones

 

[Adam-Utd]

I'm not his biggest fan, but apart from a few dodgy passes he was on top form tonight. He and Smalling really bossed anything Tottenham had. He read the game well and made some vital 1v1 interceptions, a very good performance.

 

[Getsme]

With the exception of the first couple of minutes he was fantastic today, will rightfully keep his place next week.

 

[ZDwyr]

I'll let him off those first few minutes because he responded brilliantly and was very solid. Not a huge Phil Jones fan but he did very well.

 

[iammemphis]

I think people are seriously under-estimating phils age here. Should give him at least 3 more seasons before we Really give a verdict on him. He has some great qualities about him he just needs to mature in his decision making and be abit more intelligent onthe ball perhaps.

 

[11101]

He's young and has played half his games in his career in other positions. The odd brainfart can be ironed out of games. It would be interesting if you could give examples of similar, if he does this every game. In fact, I've seen more dodgy stuff from Rojo and Evans this season.

How about the last game he played in? His weird chest pass to Valencia that forced him into an error that cost us a goal and the game.

 

[Winrar]

That early dodgy pass aside, I thought he played well today.

 

[Walrus]

He was decent, but I just dont get the same vibe or confidence watching Jones as I do with Smalling. I wasnt even surprised when he nearly scored an OG in the opening minutes - it just felt like "christ, Jones is at it again...".

I like Jones as a player, but at this point I am not convinced if CB is going to be his best position. I actually thought he did quite well at RB and at DM and personally would not object to seeing him tried in either of those positions again this season.

I think in the summer we should get rid of Evans and buy in a new CB, keeping Jones and Smalling.

 

[Devil may care]

I think people are seriously under-estimating phils age here. Should give him at least 3 more seasons before we Really give a verdict on him. He has some great qualities about him he just needs to mature in his decision making and be abit more intelligent onthe ball perhaps.

Well then it will be Smalling that has to go with Evans, we cannot sit around 3 seasons while two error prone CB's complete on the job training, we need better in place to cover up for one of them while they learn.

 

[ChrisG11]

How about the last game he played in? His weird chest pass to Valencia that forced him into an error that cost us a goal and the game.

Weird chest pass?! Forced him into an error?! Do you think if you received the ball you'd have been able to divert it back to De Gea? I know I could, Valencia is a footballer at the highest level.

 

[11101]

Weird chest pass?! Forced him into an error?! Do you think if you received the ball you'd have been able to divert it back to De Gea? I know I could, Valencia is a footballer at the highest level.

I didnt say Valencia wasnt at fault, but it was a hospital pass in the first place by Jones.

 

[sincher]

I would give Jones and Smalling a run as a pair now.

 

[Getsme]

Still don’t get why so many (on here) underrate Jones but overrate Smalling. Both are good players, but if any player will stay out of the two I feel it will be Jones.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Still don’t get why so many (on here) underrate Jones but overrate Smalling. Both are good players, but if any player will stay out of the two I feel it will be Jones.

The reason our defenders have looked so bad over the last 18 months or so is due to the non-existent midfield, in front of them. Yesterday, we attacked and defended like a team, and never allowed any of our defenders to be isolated against an opposition player. Both Smalling and Jones are good defenders with a different set of attributes which compliment each other and have suffered, at times, from the lack of a midfield. Put a competent pair of midfielders, with a leader, in front of them, and they're able to dominate the most in-form striker in the league.