If the Jones deal goes through (which is looking likely) we'll have 5 centre halves.
Obviously Rio & Vida when fit will be first choice, with Rio's injury history & him being the other side of 30 Fergie's obviously thinking of the future.
But on ability the '2nd choices' would all be first teamers at other clubs (probably excluding Chelsea & City).
I doubt Smalling will be going as he signed last year & looks class. Although Evans has been through his bad patch his form began picking up towards the latter part of the season & he has demonstrated he has quality before.
Adding Jones to the mix could we be so overstocked that we have another Pique, Shawcross situation on our hands?
Where a former youth team player leaves for a lack of opportunities rather than ability.
Saying that he's still young though at 23/24 he'll want first team football which he could get elsewhere from us.
Having said that I remember a similar situation with Fletcher a few years back when he was persuaded to stay rather than join Everton although earlier Phil Neville was in a similar situation & left.
Another point to note is it's rumoured that he'll stay at Blackburn for a year on loan so Rio can be gradually phased out & the others in.
Thoughts?
What of Johnny Evans?
posted on 8/6/11
@johnnybgoode
I accept that Brown will leave he's just not been good enough since 2007-2008 (Barca semi his best finest performance). But r.e. Rio he's still a Rolls Royce of a defender. Never gets booked rarely gets caught out of position & is unbelievably calm. SAF, imo rightly so, rolls him out for the big games.
Tbh I always thought Smalling has looked like Rio's replacement but also has some of Vida's steel.
The few times I have seen Jones he's impressed but I cannot fathom him as a Rio style defender if anything he looks like the brute of a pair (like the Vidic of Rio-Vida).
In future it may be Smalling as 'Rio' & Jones as 'Vida'
@ umpteenth
Evans is better than Brown. He's got time on his side to beef up & be concentrated throughout the 90 mins. Don't forget during that run of VDS not conceeding for 12 games it was he & Vidic in the middle.
Don't want to leave just yet
posted on 8/6/11
Any idea if Jones can play defensive midfield?
posted on 8/6/11
Yes he can. Equally adept.
posted on 8/6/11
@Newwayne
I agree we need a squad that complements the first 11 but you have to factor in the 25 man squad limits for PL. (Jones doesn't have to be registered for 3/4 years) but we already have a very large squad of over 21's. (De Leat, Obertan, Diouf etc.)
We can't just hold players for the cup competitions.
Never thought about his versatility, actually remember him impressing me at LB but is that the long term position for him?
Maybe not a younger Brown but a younger O'shea?
posted on 8/6/11
Thanks United We Stand.
Pragmatist are we entirely sure he'll be competing with the CBs? Maybe Fergie see's using a DM as the way to foil Barcelona
posted on 8/6/11
@ Pride
Could be never can read Fergie's mind. He may even take the shackles of Carrick pushing him further upfield using Jones as a DM.
So no one believes he'll be going back to Blackburn on loan? I know Fergie likes his players to report for pre-season all at once but with this deal I thought he might change his ways
posted on 8/6/11
what the hell does "&" mean?
posted on 8/6/11
Just saomething that happens when you use the and sign.
As for rio. He will be here till he retires provided he is used properly. If we were to release him every club in europe including barca would be queing round the block to sign him.
posted on 8/6/11
Prag I did mean as another O'Shea, I could see Evans being happy to fill in anywhere as needed, just as his fellow international has for several years.
Its these guys that a lot of people dont appreciate, the contribution they make over a season is invaluable. I am sure SAF will spell out the options to Evans, some games for us, or most games for a lesser team.
Pride Of The North, didn't I use to know you on 606?
posted on 8/6/11
Well rio doesn't have more than 20-30 games a season in him, and we are competing on fonts so all 5 will get a good numer of games. Also I personally feel that if we don't buy a DM (replacement for Hargreaves) then smalling or Jons will be used in that position at times next season. Jones can play in midfield and has done in the past.