What to do with Phil Jones
God, boy wonder, future England captain, United legend in the making – Yes 19 year old Phil Jones has been called this and much more and to be fair his performances this season merits respect, but are we going a bit overboard? Indeed Phillip has been one of Manchester United ’s best players this season and the style and manner in which he plays football gives him a heroic status amongst fans almost immediately.
We as supporters of the club find heroes in players that give their heart and soul for the club, because to be fair we accept that ability is the bread and butter , whereas passion is something that sets the lads apart. This has earned young Phil many plaudits, but I still feel he has a lot to learn.
Firstly I’d like to admit that in my opinion Jones is not yet a central defender. I feel that Phil would be best used at right back which would be my first choice for him or even in centre midfield, where he provides a lot of bite. As Nemanja Vidic is unfortunately out for the rest of the season, the choices Sir Alex makes at the back are vital. My choice would be Smalling in the centre with Rio and Jones right back and when Smalling returns we’ll see what decision The Boss makes.
My opinion on where Jones plays is no knee jerk reaction to the Blackburn/Newcastle games. I’ve felt this way since much earlier in the season. The positions he takes up, leaves him under pressure against strikers as was displayed with Shola Ameobi and Yakubu most recently. Although in his defence, I wouldn’t expect the finished article at such a young age. Most of the best centre halves don’t come into prominence until at least 23/24 anyway.
For that reason I think positions other than at the heart of the United defence will be better for him for the time being. He will learn from Rio and Vidic and realise that barnstorming runs aren’t the best idea of your guarding the back four. At his age let him have his freedom and attack the opposition, but not from a position that could see him caught out. His height has been seen as a worry for fans because at 5 foot 11, he is quite small for a centre back, but if/when he matures playing in different areas of the pitch and eventually moving to the middle where the greater maturity, tactical awareness and positioning will mean height is no hindrance.
We all know he has the ability, we all know he has the right attitude, we all know he went to Manchester United for the right reasons, so let’s be patient and watch him succeed but don’t expect the finished article or be disappointed if he makes a mistake, especially if he is in a position of vital importance. We cannot call him a saviour or rely totally on him because that’s totally unfair on a footballer that is until next month a teenager.
So let us watch Phil “God” Jones blossom into a great footballer, a United and England captain, but there’s loads of time for that! For now he needs the freedom to express himself on the pitch without a major burden of holding a team together – that is a job for the older, more experienced players at Manchester United.
Article courtesy of RyanMUFC from Red Flag Flying High
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spot on.very fair judgement on Jones
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Excellent article. Due to our brittleness in central midfield, I like seeing him in there – gives us phyical presence and energy and is a good foil for Carrick, who has neither, but given time and space is a decent passer. Jones gives him that, nobody messes with him (even Joey Barton that famous shrinking violet stayed out of his way). In fact it’s a compliment to Jones’ presence that I didn’t realise he was a mere 5’11″, he seems much bigger.
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Good article, but I think he is better off as a holding midfielder. He has been brilliant there this season, and gives United the bite that has been missing.
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His distribution let him down on Sunday, Never thought this before but can’t remember him having such a poor game
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Wow, is he really only 5′ 11′ tall.Thats a real shock.Thanks for that.
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Phil jones is 186cm that makes him 6’2
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RedScot Reply:
January 11th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Your measuring in metric.You are still a knob.Check his Wikepidia profile?
The ladies like the extra inches. O I Say. pmsl
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Phil is 6’2. He seems huge when I see him play at Old Trafford.
I agree though – good article. Seeing his dominant away performances this season in central midfield skis enough proof that he belongs there. He reminds me of a Yaya Toure style player – big and strong yet can attack and distribute.
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phill jones is not a right back and not a central midfielder he can play in both positions yes but when u ask him and the manager they will both tell u his future is in central defence !!! terrible article !!
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