This isn't me just having a moan but these two players are a topic for debate after last night's game, so forgive me. Chester was my favourite player last season, I thought he was PL quality then, he's still an excellent defender and his tackling and interceptions are still perfect nearly all the time, but he seems to be getting increasingly weak in the air. Of the 4 legitimate goals we've conceded this season, 3 have been from Chester missing a high ball in the air (I understand he was at fault fr the 2nd last night, actually maybe that's wrong. I couldn't tell for myself at the time and I only saw one person put it on here) anyway, it's happening too often. I hope Bruce sorts this out. More of a concern for me is Evans. I've been saying this for a while now, but his quality on the ball just isn't good enough, and seems to be getting worse. Last night the penalty came from him needlessly giving the ball away in midfield and I mean really stupidly. He just dribbled straight at a Leeds defender and didn't even seem to mind being tackled. Then minutes later he did the exact same thing again, which led to their only other real threat in the game when Faye ended up having to make a great block. They should have gone 2-0 up at that point, regardless of how well we played we could have been 2-0 down because of his errors on the ball and the game might have been very different. I understand that he's more there for the tackling but even then he's a hard tackler but he arrives late and gets booked more often than not so I'm not sure I even like his tackling. I really think he's no better than McLean or McShane on the ball. We have McKenna back now of course and if Oli isn't fit I'd throw him straight back in for Leicester. If Oli is fit then I'd put him in. Evans should be the next player to make way when we get more quality in, like Rosenior, McKenna, etc. have had to do. We're a better side now and Evans stands out as the weak link to me.
Chester was ball watching for the second goal last night, but he was also busy giving Gray a piggy back at the time. He's still brilliant. Evans was fairly poor last night, he started really badly, then improved a bit in the second half, but he was our weakest player. I think he's better than that, though I'm not sure the role that's now available to him is really right for him, it's a role that suits Oli much more(and McKenna).
Evans is no Olifinjana but as the game wore on last night, so his game improved. His tackling got better as they atttacked and he was nt caught on the ball so much. Remember that he has probably not played a full 90 for months! As understudy to Oli, I think he is a reasonable deputant. As a replacement, then we need to think. I am more concerned that Oli is about to pull a sickee again. He is a big difference this season and is a class above many.
I think Evans will be OK in the scenario I ve outlined above. I worry more about McKennas legs and his woeful passing, even at his best! PS. I can still taste that flare from last night. Cough Cough!!!
Chester made a number of decent headers throughout the game and Gray was all over him for their 2nd, you could see on the screen when it was replayed. Agree on Evans though, he works had and likes a battle but his passing and control really are quite poor. Oli is clearly much more confortable in posession and enjoys the role he's been given. Although perhaps his lack of ability when defending could be an issue against better sides particularly away from home. Praying he's fit for Leicester though.
I think McKenna's passing is good, and even though he hardly ever crosses the halfway line, when he does his longshots always seem to force a decent save. I think at the moment I'd rather have Oli, but McKenna is a decent replacement.
Evans started a little nervy, but definitely grew in to the game, I thought he played some excellent football last night. Who better for him to learn alongside than Oli and McKenna? Then, when we really need him to be our main man holding the midfield together, he will be ready. He clearly has the raw talent, he just needs a bit more experience, confidence and consistency.
I'm just not convinced that the ability to complete a 5-yard pass is something that can be learned if you haven't alread figured it out at 22. If it was that easy, McLean would be a prolific PL striker by now and McShane would be.. well you know what I'm saying.
I call Evans (NOT)Scholsey. Mainly because he is anything but Paul Scholes at the moment. And a long long way off as well. But there is something there I think that reminds me of him - and he is young!
a few other people i have spoke too have noticed this, .it could be one reason no premiership club has pounced yet, premier league strikers would exploit it ruthlessly
To be honest I didn't notice any of them myself at the time, it was mainly Chazz on here who pointed it out to me after the events.
Chester I wasn't there last night, but I watched the goals this morning (and so probably had a better view than any of those in attendance actually) and he was definitely ball-watching. He let Andy Gray, who's hardly the best forward in the world, ghost past him as if he wasn't there. NOT what you want when defending a 3-1 lead with 5 minutes left. His heading does seem to have been poor all season, and along with Alex Bruce he also cost us the winning goal at Blackburn. Still a great little player though. Evans I've been saying for along time that he's poor. He'll have a brilliant game one week and follow it up with a dozen crap ones. His passing, shooting and heading are all average at best, and his tackling is turd. Hopefully Oli can teach him a thing or two.
Why was Chezzy who's only 5ft 10in supposedly 'marking' Andy Gray ? As SB said last night Oli also gives us height which we tend to lack throughout the side.. work still to do.
Chester's height/aerial ability was a problem last season as well, it's the reason I was saying for the whole season and then preseason that Cooper wasn't suitable cover for Hobbs. The Watford home game in particular I remember him being targetted for it with Iwelumo playing as the left sided centre forward so that he was up against him for every hoof they made and their other faster striker was against Hobbs because I couldn't believe we didn't just swap Hobbs and Chester round so they were man marking. The only surprise was that more teams didn't try to exploit it over the course of the season.
