Jonny Evans is a player that has divided opinions amongst Manchester United supporters since he first burst onto the scene. A player with all the attributes needed to become a brilliant center half along with the ability to time a challenge while bullying a striker like Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, who was in his prime at the time. A lot of fans believe he has failed to unleash the talent he first promised during the 2009/10 season after getting a run of games being aged 21-years-old at the time.
Evans first became a regular in Ferguson’s team at the beginning of the 2010/11 season, partnering Nemanja Vidic in the heart of United’s defence due to the absence of an injured Rio Ferdinand. It was without question a good season for the Northern Ireland international, becoming a likable figure as far as United fans are concerned.
However, Jonny set high expectations that season and has made a few mistakes since then, leaving a number of fans frustrated and others, including myself, labeling him another misfortunate scapegoat that is easy to put the blame on whenever something doesn’t go our way.
Since 2010 Fergie has added to his squad giving Jonny more competition. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both put on the Red shirt like it was a fresh start to their football careers. As fans we didn’t expect what we got from and the pressure was far less than Evans suffered in his second season. Pundits call it ‘second season syndrome,’ that even the likes of Xabi Alonso suffered from. But will the same happen to Smalling this season when/if he makes a few mistakes or Jones next season when/if he makes a few mistakes? I hope not. As fans it’s our duty to support the players, especially through the difficult stages of their careers when they need it most.
So Evans now finds himself trying to re-disover his 10/11 form and with fans quick to criticise him, whenever something doesn’t work out, it isn’t making his job any easier. Footballers are humans too, therefore, they can suffer from having a lack of confidence (pity it isn’t possible to share because Cristiano Ronaldo has more than enough to go around.)
Soon to be 24-years-old, Evans realistically would hope to challenge for a first team place this season, especially with Nemanja Vidic’s season cut short due to a ruptured cruciate ligament injury. Jonny has a few honours to his name, as would be expected of any player at United – two Premier League titles, two Carling Cups, one Club World Cup, two Community Shields and we mustn’t forget about him being a member of the Sunderland squad in 2006/07 that won the Championship in order to gain promotion. Now try tell me Jonny Evans brings nothing to the team…
Jonny Evans has got a lot of bad press, especially after getting sent off during the 6-1 defeat against City before carelessly giving away a penalty. But he’s still young and all footballers make mistakes throughout their career, but believe it or not, fans play a big part in getting them back on track. And when United do badly with him on the pitch, all eyes stare at Evans. This is a Manchester United fan that obviously hears what’s being said about him every week and that has never had a bad word to say about the club. So why Jonny?
How can you say he’s a scape goat when things go wrong when 98% of the time when a goal is scored when he’s on the pitch he’s the one that made the crucial error?
Who are fans going to blame when crosses come in and his marker out jumps him and scores?
Who are we to blame when he lets hims marker go free and scores?
How can you say he’s a scape goat when things go wrong when 98% of the time when a goal is scored when he’s on the pitch he’s the one that made the crucial error?
Who are fans going to blame when crosses come in and his marker out jumps him and scores?
Who are we to blame when he lets hims marker go free and scores?
@Crispin Nisbett: Where did you get that percentage from? I’ll have you know he partnered Nemanja Vidic for a Premier League record 14 game consecutive clean sheets.
My percentage was just used to show that he’s at fault for goals most the times
So, you made it up? Thought as much.
@Crispin Nisbett: Where did you get that percentage from? I’ll have you know he partnered Nemanja Vidic for a Premier League record 14 game consecutive clean sheets.
My percentage was just used to show that he’s at fault for goals most the times
So, you made it up? Thought as much.
@Crispin 98% of stats are made up! – What you stated let me remind you just in case we have a sudden retraction: “98% of the time when a goal is scored while he’s on the pitch he’s the one that made the crucial error?” is not a fact at all. Of al the goals United have conceited while JE was on the pitch in the last 2 years. There is simply no way JE could have been responsible for 98% of them.
I have two points in reply to your next two questions.
1. Do you then blame Evra for the goal we gave up against Wolves this weekend? After all, he let his Marker Fletcher get away from him pull off and then out leap him to the ball to score that perfectly placed header in the corner of the net. Granted we still won 4-1 but surely Evra should be blamed for giving up our clean shit.
2. The last time Vidic got sent off and conceited a penalty that cost us a game did you equally blame him and turn on him for giving up a goal or did you blame it on the ref?
The point of this whole article is that no United player is above making mistakes. They all do. The problem is a lot of United fans quickly jump down JE’s (or Carrick’s or Gibson’s various others) neck when he has made a mistake. Making him the scapegoat for a loss if we happen to lose the game. What about the other 10 players on the pitch that couldn’t come up with a goal? What about Berbatov, Rooney or Nani shooting the ball 30 yards into the Stretford end rather than hitting the net or picking out a through ball for someone else? There is always plenty of mistakes made during the game. The fact that JE is blamed for as you so eloquently put it “98% of them” when he’s on the pitch is absurd.
oops conceded**** now who looks like an idiot!
It seems as if a few people didn’t quite understand what i was trying to imply when i said that 98% line, but carry on
@Crispin 98% of stats are made up! – What you stated let me remind you just in case we have a sudden retraction: “98% of the time when a goal is scored while he’s on the pitch he’s the one that made the crucial error?” is not a fact at all. Of al the goals United have conceited while JE was on the pitch in the last 2 years. There is simply no way JE could have been responsible for 98% of them.
I have two points in reply to your next two questions.
1. Do you then blame Evra for the goal we gave up against Wolves this weekend? After all, he let his Marker Fletcher get away from him pull off and then out leap him to the ball to score that perfectly placed header in the corner of the net. Granted we still won 4-1 but surely Evra should be blamed for giving up our clean shit.
2. The last time Vidic got sent off and conceited a penalty that cost us a game did you equally blame him and turn on him for giving up a goal or did you blame it on the ref?
The point of this whole article is that no United player is above making mistakes. They all do. The problem is a lot of United fans quickly jump down JE’s (or Carrick’s or Gibson’s various others) neck when he has made a mistake. Making him the scapegoat for a loss if we happen to lose the game. What about the other 10 players on the pitch that couldn’t come up with a goal? What about Berbatov, Rooney or Nani shooting the ball 30 yards into the Stretford end rather than hitting the net or picking out a through ball for someone else? There is always plenty of mistakes made during the game. The fact that JE is blamed for as you so eloquently put it “98% of them” when he’s on the pitch is absurd.
oops conceded**** now who looks like an idiot!
It seems as if a few people didn’t quite understand what i was trying to imply when i said that 98% line, but carry on
his brother couldnt cut it at united and neither can he, we need to buy another center back with some experience for when Rio and Vidic leave or retire…or it’s going to be a long few seasons with young center backs making errors and still learning the entire ins and outs of the job…not to take away from Jones and Smalling or even Evans, but we need a leader back there, with a young keeper as well, there is no command in the back once rio and vidic are gone
his brother couldnt cut it at united and neither can he, we need to buy another center back with some experience for when Rio and Vidic leave or retire…or it’s going to be a long few seasons with young center backs making errors and still learning the entire ins and outs of the job…not to take away from Jones and Smalling or even Evans, but we need a leader back there, with a young keeper as well, there is no command in the back once rio and vidic are gone
I thought he had a good game against Wolves.. biggest problem is the team is always changing and nobody seems to be able to gel. nobody seems in the side long enough to get a run. Probably because they all get injured. come on lads and lasses lets get behind the squad!!
I thought he had a good game against Wolves.. biggest problem is the team is always changing and nobody seems to be able to gel. nobody seems in the side long enough to get a run. Probably because they all get injured. come on lads and lasses lets get behind the squad!!
Evans is symtopatic of a larger problem. Let’s be honest we have always bought when needed from Cantona to Rio to Rooney. Fergie is forced to play Evans because we actually can’t afford quality back ups.
Yes we’ve spent some money on Jones and Young but we all know it’s not enough and Young isn’t a provider like Valencia is.
Evans is symtopatic of a larger problem. Let’s be honest we have always bought when needed from Cantona to Rio to Rooney. Fergie is forced to play Evans because we actually can’t afford quality back ups.
Yes we’ve spent some money on Jones and Young but we all know it’s not enough and Young isn’t a provider like Valencia is.
Couldn’t have put it better. One factor everyone forgets is to think of the ribbing JE would get if he suffered the indignation of three (THREE) sendings off against our biggest rivals! Because Nemanja Vidic did, and look how we still worship him. Give the lad a break. The whole thing is simply tedious.
Couldn’t have put it better. One factor everyone forgets is to think of the ribbing JE would get if he suffered the indignation of three (THREE) sendings off against our biggest rivals! Because Nemanja Vidic did, and look how we still worship him. Give the lad a break. The whole thing is simply tedious.
Well said , getting a bit sick of hearing certain United fans getting on players backs , its beginning to feel like watching city with the amount of moaning going on about players
Well said , getting a bit sick of hearing certain United fans getting on players backs , its beginning to feel like watching city with the amount of moaning going on about players
I’m not going to criticise any United player. The trouble with JE is that he’s not Vidic is he. United players dominate their positions, because he seems like a quiet lad, JE doesn’t come across as a dominant personality, therefore he stands out. All he needs is some confidence, a good run of results.
I’m not going to criticise any United player. The trouble with JE is that he’s not Vidic is he. United players dominate their positions, because he seems like a quiet lad, JE doesn’t come across as a dominant personality, therefore he stands out. All he needs is some confidence, a good run of results.
3 things reasons I will never trust JE:
1) Carling Cup 4-1 loss to West Ham, Carlton Cole put him in his pocket
2) Getting sent off against City
3) The loss to Crystal Palace this year, on the final goal he loses his marker, pulls his jersey, and lets him head in for the winner
It’s not just that he messes up sometimes, it’s that he messes up in spectacular fashion. Can’t have that in the United backline.
3 things reasons I will never trust JE:
1) Carling Cup 4-1 loss to West Ham, Carlton Cole put him in his pocket
2) Getting sent off against City
3) The loss to Crystal Palace this year, on the final goal he loses his marker, pulls his jersey, and lets him head in for the winner
It’s not just that he messes up sometimes, it’s that he messes up in spectacular fashion. Can’t have that in the United backline.
Why are you against us criticising som players? Sometimes they need to be criticised. What are we supposed to do? blindly support everyone and keep our mouths shut? If he plays badly, I’m gonna say it and unfortunately for him (and united) that’s been the case a good few times.
Why are you against us criticising som players? Sometimes they need to be criticised. What are we supposed to do? blindly support everyone and keep our mouths shut? If he plays badly, I’m gonna say it and unfortunately for him (and united) that’s been the case a good few times.