KM
I’m afraid I just blue myself
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2008
- Messages
- 49,835
I'm still honestly amazed how remarkably good he is at this age.
My mate told me yesterday that Phil is wort player he ever saw at Man United![]()
You should make that your ex-mate.My mate told me yesterday that Phil is wort player he ever saw at Man United![]()
I had him written off as a midfielder. Vocally. Repeatedly. I'm going to shut up for a bit. He looked fantastic in there with Carrick today. They could work.
He's doing much better than before but it remains to be seen. Once he's up against other top midfielders, it might be a different story. But as talented as he is, you never know
I don't know if Jones could restrain himself to play as a holding midfielder if he was expected to stay back.
He's basically being compared to different legendary players every single week, I'm sure one of them will be correct in the end!
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
When we signed him there was a bit of chat about him having a history of problems with the cartilage in one of his knees. He covers so much ground every time he plays - and he has such a heavy-set, strong physique - I have to admit I wouldn't mind see him getting a week break at some point.
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
When we signed him there was a bit of chat about him having a history of problems with the cartilage in one of his knees. He covers so much ground every time he plays - and he has such a heavy-set, strong physique - I have to admit I wouldn't mind see him getting a week break at some point.
At Loftus Road
Phil Jones was not even halfway through his day's work for Manchester United at Loftus Road when the latest lofty comparison landed on his head.
Everton's former Manchester United defender Phil Neville - tweeting in his guise as someone called @fizzer18 - announced that the 19-year-old had shown enough in a central midfield role in the 2-0 win to be placed in the same category as "a young Roy Keane."
Sir Alex Ferguson will greet this more favourably than Jones being likened to an old Roy Keane after Manchester United's manager had his ears singed by the most unflattering of personal verdicts from his one-time voice on the pitch in a searing morning newspaper interview.
Keane was a player and captain of unquestionable greatness, but he joins an ever-lengthening list as prominent figures within football grapple with the task of finding a pigeonhole for the prodigiously talented youngster Ferguson lifted from Blackburn Rovers for a bargain £16m in the summer.
England coach Fabio Capello, a stranger to over-statement and exaggeration, suggested Jones may eventually be only the third player of such versatility, outstandingly and equally gifted in central defence and midfield, that he has worked with. The others? The great Italian Franco Baresi and Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro.
The other half of the Neville brothers, Gary, says: "Jones has a touch of Bryan Robson or Roy Keane." Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's choice was framed by his Republic of Ireland heritage as he lined up Jones alongside Paul McGrath.
And the greatest compliment of all came when United's 1968 European Cup winner and still avid Old Trafford observer Pat Crerand said: "If you talk to Sir Bobby Charlton, Phil Jones reminds him of Duncan Edwards with his power and build."
So there you have it - just about the identikit Old Trafford superstar with the picture assembled from the pieces and personality of United's legendary names.
Greatness can never be judged at Loftus Road in a routine victory, but the pace and power shown by Jones in west London was further confirmation that, despite the rough edges that have been all too obvious in United's Premier League campaign and their Champions League failure, this is one of the game's gems just waiting to be fully polished.
In time the comparisons will stop and Jones will not be the "new" anyone and simply become, well, the first Phil Jones, a young man superbly developed at Blackburn Rovers and taken on to the next stage of his career by Manchester United.
After United slipped out of Europe's elite competition, it has become even more obvious that Ferguson must address a lack of A-List quality in central midfield - but you can guarantee Jones will happily shoulder the burden until reinforcements arrive.
He, along with Michael Carrick, dominated the central areas of Loftus Road on Sunday. The difference came when Carrick added to Wayne Rooney's header in 52 seconds by scoring his first United goal in 70 appearances, while Jones was frustrated by Radek Cerny's brave block in the first half and struck the woodwork in the second.
Jones is a work in progress. In defence his positions and angles can go awry, while a natural sense of adventure - allied to great self-confidence - can leave United exposed.
He will face far greater tests than those presented by QPR, who were game but limited and are now straying into dangerous territory at the wrong end of the Premier League. But he is coping admirably with a steep trajectory of his education.
United's season can hardly be described as being in crisis after a win that returned them to the top of the league, albeit briefly, but there can be no disguising the blow that their Champions League exit inflicted upon the club's pride and their season.
They have recovered with six points from two games they would expect to win, while Ferguson falls back on old beliefs that his side will come on stronger after the turn of the year.
And it is certain he will lean heavily on the powerful frame of Jones. For now in central midfield with Darren Fletcher and Anderson absent and, you suspect, in defence with Nemanja Vidic out for the season.
Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, plus the increasingly susceptible Patrice Evra, looked vulnerable under what occasional pressure QPR applied and pretty much all the good judges named above believe Jones will eventually settle as a defender.
This was a highly satisfactory win for United and continued what will be a slow rebuilding of fractured confidence after the trauma of Basel - as well as timely reminder to their rivals as they glance at the league table.
Since the humiliation of the 6-1 home defeat to Manchester City, United have won six league games out of seven.
Ferguson brought stability by naming an unchanged side, saw Carrick show the positive side of his talent when too often he is subdued, as well as watching Rooney provide proof that he must never be restricted to midfield unless in an emergency or a last resort.
The first 45 minutes brought moments of anxiety but the second half was a stroll to three points, a late wasted chance for QPR substitute DJ Campbell apart. It was as close to routine as it comes.
QPR boss Neil Warnock has a side of tenacity and honesty, but he will look to the January transfer window to solve a problem that has brought only one league win at home, against Chelsea, this season.
United's priorities lie at the other end of the Premier League and Jones will, literally, be central to those ambitions.
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
When we signed him there was a bit of chat about him having a history of problems with the cartilage in one of his knees. He covers so much ground every time he plays - and he has such a heavy-set, strong physique - I have to admit I wouldn't mind see him getting a week break at some point.
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
When we signed him there was a bit of chat about him having a history of problems with the cartilage in one of his knees. He covers so much ground every time he plays - and he has such a heavy-set, strong physique - I have to admit I wouldn't mind see him getting a week break at some point.
Yeah, he's been very impressive but you can see that he's still a little gung-ho and tactically he's still got lots to learn about central midfield, which is perfectly understandable but I think it could be an issue against better teams and better players. I think he could still play him there but I think we'd have to play a 3 because otherwise I can see us getting exposed. Him that fletcher role though could be very well. The trio of carrick fletcher and ando has been superb before and I can see it working well with jones in for fletch and ando or clev depending in who's in form.
Carrick
Cleverly Jones
Young Rooney Nani
Carrick
Cleverly Jones
Young Rooney Nani
The bond between Cleverley and Ando was overrated given the teams we were facing. They leave our defense very exposed. I'd much rather see Carrick and Cleverley together myself.
Carrick
Cleverly Jones
Young Rooney Nani
Anyone else a bit worried he's playing too much football?
When we signed him there was a bit of chat about him having a history of problems with the cartilage in one of his knees. He covers so much ground every time he plays - and he has such a heavy-set, strong physique - I have to admit I wouldn't mind see him getting a week break at some point.
We beat City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs with that partnership. They gave us better creativity than any of the partnerships we've used since. All they lacked was a player like Carrick or Jones to protect the back 4 properly.The bond between Cleverley and Ando was overrated given the teams we were facing. They leave our defense very exposed. I'd much rather see Carrick and Cleverley together myself.
Id rather see Welbeck instead of Young.
For this formation to work, with Rooney dropping as deep as he does, the WFs would have to cut inside a lot and work as strikers a lot of the time. Welbeck does this better from the wing than Young imo.
We beat City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs with that partnership. They gave us better creativity than any of the partnerships we've used since. All they lacked was a player like Carrick or Jones to protect the back 4 properly.
IMO we still need a natural holding player if SAF see Jones future else where on the park. Especially a player of the Xabi Alonso. Busquets mold. Or even a Torue Yaya type.Exactly, and not all games need a DM. Mabey we don't need to buy a midfielder after all!
Wish Cleverly was back though.