They've lost their way' - Hansen slates overrated £23m Man Utd duo. Again. England face Poland this week in their final World Cup qualifier, and unless Roy Hodgson's team undergoes an unlikely catastrophic collapse, qualification for next year's tournament seems nailed-on. Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is not so sure, though, and he believes England could be undone by the team's 'bleak' defensive situation. In his column for The Telegraph today, Hansen expressed his 'concern' over the Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahil partnership, and dismissed the competition provided by Man Utd duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. He observes: "The days of England having those two world-class players at the heart of their defence are over and the landscape now looks bleak at centre-half. "There will be a concern over Cahill and Jagielka against the best strikers in the world in Brazil next summer, but when you glance down the pecking order beneath them, it is clear there are few alternatives. "Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have lost their way at Manchester United. They have not developed, so have denied England the opportunity of a club-based partnership for the next ten years". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...eakness-at-the-heart-of-Englands-defence.html
Let's be honest here Matth - Smalling and Jones, haven't set the world on fire since their big money signings. In fact I think you got robbed big time. Before you start Carroll and Downing bashing - Yes I agree we got robbed too
No we didn't in my opinion, the reason why we paid high fees for them was because - 1. you were interested in Jones and Blackburn forgot he had a release clause in his contract. 2. Arsenal went in for Smalling, meaning we had to pay more than we originally did.
That does not suggest you didn't get robbed Matth - That just shows other teams didn't want to get robbed
The jury may still be out on Smalling and whether he will cut it as a first teamer at United but Jones is class. I'm not sure how anyone could doubt the lads ability to be honest.
Eric my man - Jones is far from class mate, time you change those tinted glasses. Evans is better, and that says it all really. I think Jones plays better in a DM role, far too clumsy to be a CB Bet you wish you had our defensive options?
Sakho looks like a good buy actuially, need tosee if he takes a dip in form because he's not spent much time in the league yet but he looks good so far. I think Agger and Sakho would get plenty of game time at United but I don't think they'd play every game because Vidic and Ferdinand on thier day are still immense. Jones has the most potential out of Smalling and Jones but he needs more regular game time to build up some consistency. I've seen him play outstandingly well at times and also terrbily poor in others. He's very good with the ball at his feet but he's a bit rough and clumsey at the moment. I do think of the two Jones could become a great player, he needs to improve though.
According to their fans, the scousers players are always the best in their positions...Just a wonder why they haven't qualified for Europe... And if in addition to these two, would Gerrard walk straight in, ..and Suarez and Sturridge too? So are the scousers better than United? I am not surprised why the scousers are always associated with the "d" word...
Sakho has had about half a dozen games, let's not get carried away about who's team he'd walk into. He wasn't playing until Toure got injured and at that point it was Toure who was like a Phoenix rising from the flames. All complete nonsense. Anyone who fails to see the potential in Phil Jones really needs to have another look or get glasses. Smalling I agree, nothing more than a squad centre half for me, although if he were to concentrate on making right back his own then he could be good.
