MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER Phil Jones is adamant that he and his team-mates are comfortable playing with a three-man defence.
Louis van Gaal has frequently adopted a back three since taking the reins at Old Trafford in July, though fans and pundits are not completely convinced by the system, with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman identifying it as a weakness after he masterminded a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
But Jones insisted to the press: “I think we are comfortable playing in it. Whether we have a back four or three, we are comfortable with both.
“Sometimes maybe we play that pass in the defence that we shouldn’t but we are comfortable playing in both formations the manager has shown.
“We are still improving as a team. It’s a learning curve. It doesn’t just happen overnight. You don’t just click your fingers and you are used to playing in a new formation. It’s like anything, it takes time, but we are improving in training and we want to get better. That’s the main thing.
“Every one of us in the changing room wants to get better, to learn and that’s only good for us.”
I thought he done very well last night. He actually scored his first Ireland goal Vs Celtic in Scott Brown’s testimonial and the way Mick spoke about him last night he could well be promoted.
Cullen got man of the match but I thought Browne was the real MVP. His control of the ball, slowing down the game and giving himself time for an option to open up was another level to the rest of the team.
Don’t get me wrong, a few players impressed me last night, with Byrne, Long, Collins and Cullen getting all the credit but Browne deserves some too.
Would love to see him get a move out of Preston.
@Baz Harkin: Only matter of time before premier league clubs start taking an interest, top midfielder.Should be in ahead of Hourihan and Hendrick. Always seems to do the simple things right and be in the right place, just like a fellow Cork midfielder did a few years ago, but we better not talk about him for a while though!
@Baz Harkin: As a lover of PNE..I WOULD NOT!!!
Browne would walk into most midfield in the bottom half of the Premier league. So many foreign managers these days though bringing in speed demons from Africa/Germany/Brazil/France etc that it’s getting harder and harder to get the big break.
@Stanley Baggins: hence why Irish footballers need to start looking further afield and taking opportunities on the continent. Even English footballers are starting to do that more and more.
Browne should have more caps than he has. I know he’s been unlucky with injuries but his form was largely ignored by O Neill. Hopefully he gets back into the Preston team and pushes for a place with the national side. We’re not blessed with guys who can score from midfield and he certainly can if he’s played in the right position.