Is the defender simply doing a job, until someone better comes along?
It is hard to fool a Manchester United supporter – especially those who are under 25 years old that realistically have never witnessed a bad spell at the club. Yes, of course you can mention the ‘Djemba-Djemba’ era, but in all fairness – even within that bad patch, United remained within the top two or three sides domestically, competed in European competition, won cups, ran out in showpiece games, and still enjoyed success most clubs could only dream of.
Manchester United supporters can sniff out a fake within minutes; We all remember William Prunier, right? No? Well more recently the Old Trafford faithful have witnessed the efforts and failures of such players as Liam Miller, Kleberson, David Bellion and the extremely popular, but not very good, Bebe.
So where does Johnny Evans fit in at United? asks Nathon Woodhead Twitter: @Nathonw
Over the last year or so, the emergence of Johnny Evans has been significantly great. He has benefitted from a longer run in the first team than ever before, he has started ahead of Rio Ferdinand in important matches and he has found the best form of his career; but for many fans, pundits and football experts, the jury is still out.
Evans is a big lad and wins 99% of aerial challenges; he posses good technical ability and like any good modern central defender, can pass a ball. His decision making has improved as has his communication – I have always been of the opinion that Johnny Evans is a confidence player, and if United do not concede while he is on the pitch, he will be even better in the next game; so after seeing red against Stuart Holden of Bolton last season, or seeing red in the infamous 6-1 drubbing at home to Manchester City this season, I have been pleasently surprised, as have all of the twitter warriors that love a scapegoat or two, that ‘big Jonny’ has come back stronger.
An Arsenal fan once mockingly asked, “If Johnny Evans is the answer, what is the question” sparking debate that the tall defender is one from the ‘Fergie List’. For those unfamilier with the ‘Fergie List’ – it is apparently full of below average players who command praise simply because they play for Manchester United – and had they move club, they would instantly get found out to be your ‘run of the mill’ footballer.
2011-2012 has seen Manchester United compete domestically, but come unstuck in two European competitions by teams that would not even fall into ‘Europes Mediocre’ let alone ‘Europes Finest’.
Of course Evans isn’t to blame, but does anybody realistically think when Fernando Llorente stepped out onto the pitch, he shook in his boots at the thought of facing Evans? Or did he see it as an opportunity to face an average defender riding his luck playing for a massive club, that will lose his place in the side as soon as Nemanja Vidic is fit?
I think the score of this tie, and the performance of Llorente answer this question.
Manchester United are currently in transition. Players who should have moved, didn’t; players who did retire, came back; youthful players are breaking into the side and of course Ferguson has dipped into the transfer market and picked up some exceptional young talent that will take time to find their feet at a club of this size.
Give it two seasons max – and United will be strolling to the semi finals or the elite European competitions as they have been for the last 15 seasons. Of course every five or six years United do fail to meet the high standards set, but it always coincides with the building of a new squad, the lack of competiton domestically, and of course – working out who is world class and who is winging it and getting away with being bailed out by his team mates week in, week out.
I believe Johnny Evans is a good footballer, with a future at Manchester United – but as a bit part player. If United want to win the European Cup, it simply will not happen with Evans as a regular.
Yes he is having the best season of his career and has been our best defender, but lets face it – being our best defender this season hasn’t been a hard thing to do.
Of course Johnny Evans will ‘do a job’ against the Wolves, Wigans and Aston Villa’s of this world – but against a Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – no chance. It will simply be a step to far for the man from Northern Ireland.
Who’s 100% certain that Evans will go on to be a world class central defender? But you certainly seem to be certain that he will not make it though.And YOU are kidding yourself about that one. Give a player a chance.
You say it’s not a witch-hunt, but your response is revealing: “When Vidic and Rio are outstanding, we reach Champions League Finals. When Evans is outstanding, we belly flop out of the Europa League.”
So, our Europe crash this season is all down to Evans? And our past success is all down to Ferdinand-Vidic? Rooney, Ronaldo, Evra, Scholes, Tevez and Hargreaves all at the top of their game has nothing to do with that? And our current poor european form has nothing to do with the team as a whole being below par?
You just can’t pass a judgement on the value of Evans on such arguments, can you?
Oh, and by the way, attending home and away fixtures doesn’t make you a better judge of a player’s worth. It only means you are a supporter who can afford to. If that is what you implied.
What I implied was I go to the games, and those that I can’t go to, I watch on tele and online – so my opinion doesn’t favour those of a terrace fan of those of an online fan.
Evans plays well in some games but he always makes one mistake every game.
I think he would be a lot better if we had a decent defensive full back alongside him
Evans is rubbish notwithstanding the so-called improvement in displays lately. He is slow, clumsy and never seems to think ahead. I am sorry but if he’s the future of Utd’s defensive line up, I’m afraid the Basels, Bilbaos, Benficas and even Blackburns will continue to have field days, literally. Hopefully SAF will have seen and learnt that. Along with midfield, defence needs revamp. The Da Silva twins are not that good either, usually diving in and missing tackles.
didnt like he article at all, you beign the writer of a specific football teams blog should not be slating the very players you support, if i wanted to see bashing of our players, i would go to a city or liverpool blog…theres plenty of the same type of articles on united players there. you should be stoked at how much evans has improved and hope that we will someday have that fear-me tag..not say he will never earn it.
being *
Everything either has to be the absolute best thing ever or it’s regarded as total rubbish (or words to that effect).
Therefore an excellent but inconclusive article suggesting ‘only time will tell’ is too much for many modern football fans.
Nathon, totally agree with you. I hope to see him further develop and shake off ridiculous media tags like ‘he’s always got a mistake in him’ and agree that his self assurance is growing and is the most important part of his game as he looks to reach the next level.
I personally don’t think we need to buy any new defenders. The talent is there. We’ve just done much of the season without our captain, Evra has been in and out of form, Ferdinand in and out of fitness, Jones and Smalling played out of position too often and the twins spend more time in the treatment room than on the field. A bit of consistency in the starting 11 (at the back) and most of our troubles would have been avoided.
Evans has had a good but not spectacular season. He’s just the one who’s had the longest run in the side. (look at De Gea since he’s been consistent first choice).
Great response – level headed and spot on.
Again I would like to reiterate that this isn’t a witch hunt against Jonny Evans. I support all of our players, but I am expressing my right as a fan to give my opinion that I do not think he will succeed as a great defender.
I think he will always be a great third choice centre half.
All Evans needs is more game time. He’s looking more assured every week and alongside the more experienced Rio, he’s beginning to look like a United player. Congrats on your first United goal Jonny!
Call me a “hater” but I think if you changed EVANS to WELBECK you’d make an already excellent write-up into a brilliant one!!!