Annahnomoss
Full Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2012
- Messages
- 10,101
That's mad. Jones' use of the ball is clearly much better which is why he's the preferred choice when both are fit, and that was as evident today as it ever was. Smalling tried to dribble out with the ball once and got tackled in his own half, while Jones dribbled past players with ease in both halves. The one time he lost possession he won it back in their defensive third and started off another attack.
According to Opta the relevant stats are...
Dribbles
Smalling - 0
Jones - 2 (2nd only to Herrera)
Accurate long balls
Smalling - 1/6
Jones - 5/10
Stats can't tell you everything but if you compared their two performances side by side you'd see exactly what limerickcitykid is saying - people see what they want to see when it comes to Jones/Smalling, for some reason. It's like you're describing a performance of Jones' from 2 months ago, because Jones today was terrific against Aguero and used the ball well. It's only a couple of "dangerous" backpasses - that De Gea was in completely control of - that give the impression he somehow lacked composure.
Great post mate.