Distin, Heitinga, Jagielka

[TippEverton]

If i was asked pre-season it would have been Jags and Johnny all day long, but Distin has been great for the most part this season so id have to go Jags and Distin.

Still cant quite forgive Johnny for that half hearted attempt at a tackle in the Blackpool game.

[Summerskin]

Still cant quite forgive Johnny for that half hearted attempt at a tackle in the Blackpool game.

Tell me about it, talk about showing yourself up as a light hearted pansy.

[keverton]

If i was asked pre-season it would have been Jags and Johnny all day long, but Distin has been great for the most part this season so id have to go Jags and Distin.

Still cant quite forgive Johnny for that half hearted attempt at a tackle in the Blackpool game.

THIS in a nutshell

[Brownie]

A good performance from Jags and Sylvy today.

[RadioFriendlyUnitShifter]

A good performance from Jags and Sylvy today.

Jags and Distin were ace today. Sylvain edged it, but all in all, the back line as a whole was excellent.

[Brownie]

Jags and Distin were ace today. Sylvain edged it, but all in all, the back line as a whole was excellent.

Jagielka was the pick for me. Numerous blocks and interceptions compared to just the one for Sylv.

[billycopper]

What's Moyes going to do now Jags is fit? If he leaves him on the bench and maintains the Heitinga-Distin partnership, then there's a good chance that Phil won't be selected for the Euros. Johnny has been a candidate for our player of the season. Moyes can't drop him, so does he move him into midfield? Distin is the only left-sided centreback, but he has no international place to play for and we're going to need to plan for his retirement. Maybe Moyes will put him in at right back to give him games? Maybe he'll surprise us all and persevere with the three centrebacks approach that he went for against Spurs? It's a nice problem to have, but it has no simple solution.

[met069]

Though Jags has the Euros to think about, I think it should be up to him to take the spot back on merit and not just have it handed to him. It's not fair on Heits to just lose his starting position after playing so well.

But hopefully, what with the fixture congestion and all, squad rotation will give all three an equal measure of playing time (RS, S'land and Arse in 1 week!).

[hawkii]

I don't think Moyes went with a 3 centrebacks approach, it looked to me like Jags came on and told Johnny to push into midfield, and Johnny turned around and told Jags no chance (rightly in my opinion, Johnny's been good and we didn't need to break up the centreback pairing that had been working at that point). Jags didn't know what to do with himself and sort of drifted to right back, but then they decided to just defend and settled into 5 at the back.

[Rook]

Distin-Johnny deserve the start. And if we have 1-0 lead in the 75th like we did saturday I have no problem putting Jags in at the back line. Yes its negative hoofball however we've been excellent at holding leads on the rare occasions we've had one this year.

With the fixture buildup Jags will start one on the next 3 matches.

[Hibbosculturedrightboot]

no to Jagielka walking back into the team. Not let a lot in lately have we? If it ain't broke...

[toffeejack]

Moyes is scottish and i think he'd be pleased with jags not going to the euros. Fully fit for next season. Would be harsh to break up distin and heitinga for me, so no change

[Roztitute]

It ain't broke, so don't fix it.

[ToffeeBlueNose]

Jags hasn't had the greatest season in my opinion and I rate Heitinga and he doesn't hoof as much as Jags.

[Summerskin]

Can't we just have 3 boss centre backs with an exciting young lad coming through?

I know the squad is thin but Jags should rightly not be given a look in at the minute.

[Stutheblue]

We'll surely stick with Distin and Heitinga (barring injuries) for the Derby and Sunderland. I would be concerned with Jags lack of match fitness to be starting either of those two matches. He'll get his chance somewhere down the line (suspension or injury etc).

[kenada_blue]

Jags wont go the euros.

Cahill, Lescott, Terry, Smalling, Jones.

[Brennan]

Jags wont go the euros.

Cahill, Lescott, Terry, Smalling, Jones.

Jones hasn't been playing at CB regularly and i really don't see Cahill getting in ahead of Jagielka.

[chriswho]

Distin-Johnny deserve the start. And if we have 1-0 lead in the 75th like we did saturday I have no problem putting Jags in at the back line. Yes its negative hoofball however we've been excellent at holding leads on the rare occasions we've had one this year.

With the fixture buildup Jags will start one on the next 3 matches.

Basically my thoughts too. I liked moyes bringing him on against spurs just to get him a few minutes, but Distin and heitinga are a great pairing right now, and given the congestion and importance of our next games, stay with what works. Heitinga brings an attitude which will be welcome against the ****e too. Wouldn't be shocked to see heitinga get a yellow and be brought off for jags during the next couple games.

[blue61]

I wouldn't be surprised if Moyes prioritised the Cup game and rested a couple of players, giving him the chance to play the classic midfield pairing of Neville and Heitinga with Jags alongside Distin. Hope I'm wrong but it wouldn't surprise me. I can also see him saving Jelavic for Saturday and asking the Straq to run his nuts off on his own.

cue 5 up front on tuesday, I know nothing