Jamesey:

Nibor1:

Why the attitude? Nowhere did I say they were no good...it was a simple question...you know SIMPLE! If you read the post properly (or have someone read it to you) I said that they should be playing in the first team. They are young players and need games to reach their full potential as quickly as possible.

Yes and you can check their progress in the squad report screen to see what attributes they are improving, in between adjusting your formation and simming games in the premier league.

WHAT????

Ross Crapnell:

Horrible lack of foresight. I believe that these two UNDER-21 INTERNATIONALS were bought for the future... Long-term...

Ahh! If only I'd had the foresight of hindsight! Calm down...it was only a question not an observation!

Jordz:

Rio has 2 or 3 season left in him and then we'll see one or both of Jones and Smalling holding down a centre-back position. Until then we'll see them being used as part of SAFs rotation policy which he has implemented so well in recent seasons. The great form of Evans has been a pleasant surprise and has been keeping them from much game time though, and its great to have such depth in defensive areas.

Thanks for your well thought out and attitude free reply.

Nibor1:

Why the attitude? Nowhere did I say they were no good...it was a simple question...you know SIMPLE! If you read the post properly (or have someone read it to you) I said that they should be playing in the first team. They are young players and need games to reach their full potential as quickly as possible.

Yes and you can check their progress in the squad report screen to see what attributes they are improving, in between adjusting your formation and simming games in the premier league.

Rio has 2 or 3 seasons left in him and then we'll see one or both of Jones and Smalling holding down a centre-back position. Until then we'll see them being used as part of SAFs rotation policy which he has implemented so well in recent seasons. The great form of Evans has been a pleasant surprise and has been keeping them from much game time though, and its great to have such depth in defensive areas so we should be grateful.

UnitedorNothing:

Ya, they don't fit and should be sold. Next season we should go with Rio who struggles with back problems combined with Vidic who is coming of a major knee surgery and Evans. That makes sense. We play only 60-65 games a season and we should be able to get through with those three. Right?

Why the attitude? Nowhere did I say they were no good...it was a simple question...you know SIMPLE! If you read the post properly (or have someone read it to you) I said that they should be playing in the first team. They are young players and need games to reach their full potential as quickly as possible.

I was simply (there's that word again) asking what other people thought their - positional - future might be. It might all be conjecture (look it up) but I was merely interested.

Yes Rio and Evans are better than them and both are on better current form, but never mind that, Jones and Smalling are young, so we should play them.

What a stupid question

Nibor1:

Been think about the squad, and can't work out where Smalling and Jones will fit in. With Raf looking good at right back and linking well with Valencia and Evans doing brilliantly at center back...I can't see where this leaves Smalling and Jones. I know they were touted as a pairing in central defence but with Rio seeming to be fit again and Vidic back next season, and as I stated Evans doing well...where will they play? It is of course a squad game but in my opinion these two players are too good not to be first team regulars. I personally don't like the idea of Jones in midfield, as dedicated players are desperately needed there. Any thoughts?

Assuming Vidic will return truely fit next season, you expect him to play 50 games a season? And Rio, despite his back problem, can play every week? And even if Evans manage to stay at his current level i.e. 1st name on the sheet when Fergi wants to rest either Vidic or Rio, there is still game time for Jones and Smalling as CD, easily 5-10 appearance including FA/League games. Jones can feature as DMF although he needs to drastically improve on his ball control, and we haven't touched the subject on backing up to Rafael. No matter how young and hungry Rafael is, he can't play 50 games a season, plus the fact that we might need an extra tall defender against some teams. And, we have not considered minor or major injury to any of the regulars.... IMO our failure in the early part of the season was due to premature introduction, or more appropriately, over-dependence on Smalling and Jones in UL games, without the guidance of Vidic and Rio. Give them 1-2 seasons, they will be great. By then Rio should be playing in China or Vidic return to home, which we must prepare for the inevitable.

If this season has taught us one thing it should be the value of a good squad. There will always be injuries so I wouldn't worry about them getting games whether it is at RB, CB, or in MIDF. Anyways, they are both still young and have everyhting to be top class.

back up! thier really gonna struggle to improve as they don't get many games

Ya, they don't fit and should be sold. Next season we should go with Rio who struggles with back problems combined with Vidic who is coming of a major knee surgery and Evans. That makes sense. We play only 60-65 games a season and we should be able to get through with those three. Right?

Well come next season we will be back in multiple competitions. Carling Cup, FA Cup, PL, CL so that opens up some playing time. Rio has been great for us but we also know that the old injury problem or just plain age could start catching up with him. Another season comes along and injuries will happen (hopefully not as much as this year) , suspensions, etc. Heck earlier this season people were complaining we did not have ENOUGH cover back there due to the injuries. Now suddenly, we have too much. Jones will play at a variety of positions as needed. Smalling will get games, he ran into a bit of injury trouble this season also, but he will get games.

Now as substitutes but fulltimers in the future .

For the future mate no one knows how Vidic will be like after a cruciate injury he could come back like Heinze slow and may be just, may be, not be the same imposing player. Th two are centre backs Jones is no RB or CM and neither is Smalling a RB. They are also still very inconsistent and another season with United will grow them in leaps. SAF has foresight what a manager.

i see your point but you've got to remember we got knocked out of nearly every cup early this year meaning we havent had to rotate the squad as much. Plus we normally have ridiculous injuries in defence most seasons anyway!