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.
They will keep quiet and then destroy him again next time he gives the ball awayWonder 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.Wonder what the kneejerkers will say? He was very good, and is probably our best CB after Smalling.
Indeed. He was better today but I'm inclined to agree on the whole.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.
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.Doesnt matter if we're a goal down in the first 5 minutes because of him. A good 85 minutes changes nothing.
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.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.
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.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.
Come on man... Every time he plays he ball distribution is rubbish.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.
Evans will. Van Gaal seems to rate Jones I do not think he is going anywhere.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.
Smalling-EvansI still think Smalling / Rojo is our best partnership
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.Impressive in the 2nd half. Those opening few mins were comically inept. Did well to recover.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
I didnt say Valencia wasnt at fault, but it was a hospital pass in the first place by Jones.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.
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.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.