Jones and Smalling prove Fergie's the Master of the Roles

• zocoss

  21 Sep 11, 11:17

  Why Jones and Smalling prove that Fergie's the Master of the Roles

  

  By Terry Butcher

   

  

   

   

   

   

  Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are two great ­examples of central ­defenders who have shown a brilliant aptitude to play at right-back.

  The Manchester United duo are better defenders than the Da Silva twins and are relaxed and comfortable when on the ball, ­especially in advanced areas.

  Both are ­extremely positive going forward and do not panic when under pressure despite their ­relative inexperience.

  If Sir Alex Ferguson wants you to play out of your ­normal position, then that’s what happens – at other clubs these two youngsters would never have been moved out of their ­comfort zones. But this is Manchester United and Sir Alex’s perception will ­improve both players’ ­understanding of the game.

  Thirty years ago Sir Bobby Robson moved me to left back to play against the first £1million footballer – Trevor Francis of Nottingham ­Forest – and I played there for over 50 more games including a ­European semi-final.

  It would seem then that Sir Alex is going full-back to the future for both Jones and Smalling!

  
  
• Rock^Star

  21 Sep 11, 12:41

  When smalling was at centre back, he did the simple things, simple tackles and passes. But shocked me when he moved to right back, going forward with such ease and his control of the ball is very good. Phil jones too....he has the knack of making those slick passes...well actually he's played midfield at blackburn.

  On the other hand, fabio and rafael are good but they could still be learning. And one of them (forgot who) has a temperament....

• zocoss

  21 Sep 11, 14:43

  So the question should be...

  Is Phil Jones and Chris Smalling better than Rafael and Fabio in the right-back position?

• Rooney9

  21 Sep 11, 21:31

  Originally posted by zocoss:

  So the question should be...

  Is Phil Jones and Chris Smalling better than Rafael and Fabio in the right-back position?

  
  its a good thing both can play there. rafael and fabio are smaller sized, but their pace are incredible although their defending can be suspect at times, due to their naivety, but they will continue to learn.

• zocoss

  22 Sep 11, 00:50

  If both of them lose their full-back positions, I guess they have to play wingers then... lol.

  They did rather ok against Arsenal last season right... lol...

  Looks like Fergie is training his players to play in more than one position these days, latest is Berbatov as a centre-back against Leeds... lol.