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A review on there strong points and what they need to improve on.
Jonny Evans.
He's been one of our biggest success stories this season. In the Summer when we let Pique and Silvestre go without signing a replacement I was slightly worried, however he's come in and, for the most part, looked every bit a first teamer. His reading of the game is phenominal. Almost Rio esque.
His partnership with Vidic was immense during our cleen sheet run. What's impressed me most is how he plays in the big games. He has never let us down. No matter how the big the game is, whether it be Chelsea away, Chelsea at home or even Inter Milan away in the Champions League he has been brilliant.
He still has a bit to go but I think he's a genuine world class prospect.
What he needs to improve on.
The only thing he really lacks is pace. He's not slow by any means, but IMO thats the one attribute he's missing. Obviously you can't magically become lightening fast over night, but you can work on your accelaration. His size isn't an issue and he's still developing physically.
Rafael Da Silva
Ever since his debut vs Peterborough he's gone from strength to strength. His workrate, tackling ability and attitude to football are brilliant. He's also drastically improved the defensive side of his game in the last few months. For me the City game was when he really proved he was a Manchester United player. He may not have been as exciting or explosive in this game, but he nullified the threat from an in-form Robinho. He proved his tactical discipline, which is half the trouble when it comes to South American defenders.
To me he plays quite similar to how Hargreaves does when on the right hand side. If he keeps improving at his current rate then we are set for years.
What he needs to improve on.
Without doubt he still needs to master the art of positional sense. Altough he's improved a lot he still can be found a well out of position, forcing him to concede a free kick. He also needs to learn not to dive in so much. Against City he was excellent at this like I said earlier, but that might have been because he was on a yellow. He needs to learn that the best way to tackle is by staying on your feet. I'm sure he'll get this sooner rather than later. He could do with having a bit more composure on the ball also.
Fabio Da Silva
Almost a mirror image of his brother in everything from looks, to playing style and playing ability. We haven't seen as much of his as we have Rafael, but he seems to be slightly more technical. When he played vs Spurs in the FA Cup it was genuinly like having a mini Evra running down the wing.
Unfortunately he's been injured a lot ths season. Hopefully asfter he gets a decent pre-season and bulks up a bit he'll get past this.
What he needs to improve on.
Positional sense. Thats genuinly the ony thing missing from his game. He's basically a calmer version of his brother. I'm 99% sure he'll improve this aspect of his game because of our experience with Evra. After 1 pre season he bacame a completely different player defensively. I expect something similar, though this will take more time.
Darren Gibson
I'll be honest, his first few games for us this season did not impress me. I almost completely ruled him out of being a permenent fixture in our squad. However, in his last few appearances he's a different player. His vision is good, he's composed and has arguably the best long distance strike of anyone at our club. Anyone who has watched him in the reserves in the past will know that his close efforts in the first team are not flukes. I've been impressed by his positonal sense, he's very similar to Carrick in this regard.
I feel that he will be the one who blooms the latest. He's keeping it simple rightn ow, which is good. He's getting better tactically, physically and mentally. Hopefully he'll continue.
What he needs to improve on.
For me there are 2 major flaws in his game. First of all, he needs to impose himself a little more - again similar to Carrick. But his major problem is his lack of mobility. He's slower on the turn than a hippo. I guess the more he plays and the more he trains his 'first yard' will be much sharper.
Danny Welbeck
Style wise, he's a blend of Henry and Kanu. (Obviously I'm not comparing his talent to this two). He's fast, mobile, very technical and an excellent finisher. Anyone who's watchind him in the reserves will know that he's simply a cut above the rest, along with Macheda. His technical ability is rediculously good. One thing that strikes me is that he seems quite hard to tackle. Maybe thats because he has a very lanky build so is akward to deal with.
Of all the young players we have I feel he is still the most raw, he has probably the longest way to go, but at the same time I do feel that he has the potential to be the best of the bunch. His attitude is spot on aswell. He's a good kid.
His major strong point is when he's on the left side of the are about to curl the ball in, like how he scored vs Derby and narrowly missed yesterday. Its genuinly a joy to watch him do it. its so Henry esque its unreal.
What he needs to improve on.
There's a few things he needs to work on IMO. Firstly, his ball control seems to be very hit and miss. When its 'hit' he genuinly is up there with Berbatov in terms of killing the ball at his feet. However when its 'miss' its like watching womans football. He can be very clumsy at times.
He also needs to fill out a bit. Unlike his young teammates he doesn't have the build to really grow. He's naturally skinny and leggy. That doesn't mean he can't grow, but he'll need some more work.
Federico Macheda
Well, what can you day except thank you? He's scored two of the most important goals of the season - both of which display completely different sides to his game.
The goal vs Villa showed his genious. How many other players we have could have done that? None. His goal vs Sunderland on the other hand, although less 'flashy', showed some predetory instinct on his part. Yeah, he was fortunate but you can clearly see him put his leg out. Many seasonal pros would have simply tred to somehow control the ball or else move out the way. His finishing is top notch.
He also seems to have the 'big game mentality'. He isn't afraid of the big names in he opposition defence. He knows his big enough to handle himself and he has the talent and trickery to leave them on the ground. He has a bit of a nasty streak aswell which I actually think is a good thing. You'd rather have a lion than a ***** cat in your team, thats for sure.
Unlike many Italians his work ethis is also very impressive. He's big, strong, fast, you name it. He has all the physical tools to be a top player. He's shown his mental ability aswell. The only things stopping him now are injuries and his own attitude. If he keeps working hard then he will definately get the rewards.
What he needs to improve on.
To be honest, there isn't a specific aspect of his game that he needs to improve. He just needs to keep going he'll become better in every department.
If I was going to be picky I'd say he needs to stop with the lashing out. He's done it a few times in the reserves and it could be a problem. His nasty side is good, but his violent side isn't. Like I said I'm nit picking here though. I'm sure it won't be a problem.
Hopfully this time next year we'll be talking about Tosic, Petrucci and Ljajic in the same way. Possibly Campbell too.
Jonny Evans.
He's been one of our biggest success stories this season. In the Summer when we let Pique and Silvestre go without signing a replacement I was slightly worried, however he's come in and, for the most part, looked every bit a first teamer. His reading of the game is phenominal. Almost Rio esque.
His partnership with Vidic was immense during our cleen sheet run. What's impressed me most is how he plays in the big games. He has never let us down. No matter how the big the game is, whether it be Chelsea away, Chelsea at home or even Inter Milan away in the Champions League he has been brilliant.
He still has a bit to go but I think he's a genuine world class prospect.
What he needs to improve on.
The only thing he really lacks is pace. He's not slow by any means, but IMO thats the one attribute he's missing. Obviously you can't magically become lightening fast over night, but you can work on your accelaration. His size isn't an issue and he's still developing physically.
Rafael Da Silva
Ever since his debut vs Peterborough he's gone from strength to strength. His workrate, tackling ability and attitude to football are brilliant. He's also drastically improved the defensive side of his game in the last few months. For me the City game was when he really proved he was a Manchester United player. He may not have been as exciting or explosive in this game, but he nullified the threat from an in-form Robinho. He proved his tactical discipline, which is half the trouble when it comes to South American defenders.
To me he plays quite similar to how Hargreaves does when on the right hand side. If he keeps improving at his current rate then we are set for years.
What he needs to improve on.
Without doubt he still needs to master the art of positional sense. Altough he's improved a lot he still can be found a well out of position, forcing him to concede a free kick. He also needs to learn not to dive in so much. Against City he was excellent at this like I said earlier, but that might have been because he was on a yellow. He needs to learn that the best way to tackle is by staying on your feet. I'm sure he'll get this sooner rather than later. He could do with having a bit more composure on the ball also.
Fabio Da Silva
Almost a mirror image of his brother in everything from looks, to playing style and playing ability. We haven't seen as much of his as we have Rafael, but he seems to be slightly more technical. When he played vs Spurs in the FA Cup it was genuinly like having a mini Evra running down the wing.
Unfortunately he's been injured a lot ths season. Hopefully asfter he gets a decent pre-season and bulks up a bit he'll get past this.
What he needs to improve on.
Positional sense. Thats genuinly the ony thing missing from his game. He's basically a calmer version of his brother. I'm 99% sure he'll improve this aspect of his game because of our experience with Evra. After 1 pre season he bacame a completely different player defensively. I expect something similar, though this will take more time.
Darren Gibson
I'll be honest, his first few games for us this season did not impress me. I almost completely ruled him out of being a permenent fixture in our squad. However, in his last few appearances he's a different player. His vision is good, he's composed and has arguably the best long distance strike of anyone at our club. Anyone who has watched him in the reserves in the past will know that his close efforts in the first team are not flukes. I've been impressed by his positonal sense, he's very similar to Carrick in this regard.
I feel that he will be the one who blooms the latest. He's keeping it simple rightn ow, which is good. He's getting better tactically, physically and mentally. Hopefully he'll continue.
What he needs to improve on.
For me there are 2 major flaws in his game. First of all, he needs to impose himself a little more - again similar to Carrick. But his major problem is his lack of mobility. He's slower on the turn than a hippo. I guess the more he plays and the more he trains his 'first yard' will be much sharper.
Danny Welbeck
Style wise, he's a blend of Henry and Kanu. (Obviously I'm not comparing his talent to this two). He's fast, mobile, very technical and an excellent finisher. Anyone who's watchind him in the reserves will know that he's simply a cut above the rest, along with Macheda. His technical ability is rediculously good. One thing that strikes me is that he seems quite hard to tackle. Maybe thats because he has a very lanky build so is akward to deal with.
Of all the young players we have I feel he is still the most raw, he has probably the longest way to go, but at the same time I do feel that he has the potential to be the best of the bunch. His attitude is spot on aswell. He's a good kid.
His major strong point is when he's on the left side of the are about to curl the ball in, like how he scored vs Derby and narrowly missed yesterday. Its genuinly a joy to watch him do it. its so Henry esque its unreal.
What he needs to improve on.
There's a few things he needs to work on IMO. Firstly, his ball control seems to be very hit and miss. When its 'hit' he genuinly is up there with Berbatov in terms of killing the ball at his feet. However when its 'miss' its like watching womans football. He can be very clumsy at times.
He also needs to fill out a bit. Unlike his young teammates he doesn't have the build to really grow. He's naturally skinny and leggy. That doesn't mean he can't grow, but he'll need some more work.
Federico Macheda
Well, what can you day except thank you? He's scored two of the most important goals of the season - both of which display completely different sides to his game.
The goal vs Villa showed his genious. How many other players we have could have done that? None. His goal vs Sunderland on the other hand, although less 'flashy', showed some predetory instinct on his part. Yeah, he was fortunate but you can clearly see him put his leg out. Many seasonal pros would have simply tred to somehow control the ball or else move out the way. His finishing is top notch.
He also seems to have the 'big game mentality'. He isn't afraid of the big names in he opposition defence. He knows his big enough to handle himself and he has the talent and trickery to leave them on the ground. He has a bit of a nasty streak aswell which I actually think is a good thing. You'd rather have a lion than a ***** cat in your team, thats for sure.
Unlike many Italians his work ethis is also very impressive. He's big, strong, fast, you name it. He has all the physical tools to be a top player. He's shown his mental ability aswell. The only things stopping him now are injuries and his own attitude. If he keeps working hard then he will definately get the rewards.
What he needs to improve on.
To be honest, there isn't a specific aspect of his game that he needs to improve. He just needs to keep going he'll become better in every department.
If I was going to be picky I'd say he needs to stop with the lashing out. He's done it a few times in the reserves and it could be a problem. His nasty side is good, but his violent side isn't. Like I said I'm nit picking here though. I'm sure it won't be a problem.
Hopfully this time next year we'll be talking about Tosic, Petrucci and Ljajic in the same way. Possibly Campbell too.
