[WoysWunderful]

So why do they DESPISE him ? is it just the ex Man U factor ? (he's not good enough for Utd so he's not good enough for us ? )As usual it's probably 20% don't want him.....40% don't care either way and 40% realise it would be a common sense signing for Arsenal. Of course the noisy minority tend to be reported.

They used to terrorise him when he played for man ute, songs, booing,  the lot. I think he either did a bad tackle in one of his first games against them and they never forgave him, or they got on his back and he made a mistake against them so they never let it go. Either way they all hate him

[stoxman]

Where does Jonny rank in terms of centre backs at the club? Probably the best we've had during the modern Premier League era for me, where does he rank all time?

We've not done the "All time Albion XI" thread for a wile but I would certainly have him in there alongside either Robertson or Wile now.  Come to think about it, I might have GMac and Evans as my all time CH pairing.

[ian66]

We've not done the "All time Albion XI" thread for a wile but I would certainly have him in there alongside either Robertson or Wile now.  Come to think about it, I might have GMac and Evans as my all time CH pairing.

Chris Whyte was class too, the short time we had him.

[Albionic]

Chris Whyte was class too, the short time we had him.

Martyn Bennett - 100% class !

[stoxman]

Martyn Bennett - 100% class !

Both good shouts but better than Gmac and Evans?  Hard to say.  Either way,  just shows how good this pair are.

[WBAinDEVON]

Martyn Bennett - 100% class !

Martin Bennett, fantastic defender.Reminds me very much of John Stones

[B_H_Baggie]

Best defender we have had in a very long time, still find it hard to believe we managed to get him.

[CL3MO]

Chuffed we have him but he's too good for us - should be at a top four club really.

We should look to try and build the side around him for the rest of his career.

[wba13]

Seen some great centre half`s for Albion but Evans has to be near the top not only a great centre half or full back but also a great footballer what a snip. Never too good for us top 6 don`t know what they missed.

[zippyandbungle]

I think he has been very steady for us and a good signing, still annoyed at the punch on Rosenberg during the 5-5

[Chipperfan]

I think he has been very steady for us and a good signing, still annoyed at the punch on Rosenberg during the 5-5

Good job we're more forgiving than the Arsenal lot.

[Atomic]

Evans is a class act. It's interesting to see people listing him alongside the Wile, Robertson, Bennett, Whyte's. Wile and Robertson were a unit for years it's hard to compare one without the other so the best comparisons are with Bennett and Whyte.

Martyn Bennett's career was cut woefully short due to injuries. Chris Whyte went on to win the league with Leeds. That's the sort of level Evans has to aspire to but of course he was previously won the league at Man United.

It's difficult to judge but I'd say Evans rates above Bennett because Bennett never was able to really fulfil his potential.

Evans v Whyte is a close call but that's no disgrace as Whyte was real class act while we had him especially as he played alongside Stacey "Long throw" North who was blummin rubbish. 

[Mister AT]

Absolute class act.
Slots into left back and does a great job, easily our best defender.

Brilliant signing he has turned out to be.

[B_H_Baggie]

I think he has been very steady for us and a good signing, still annoyed at the punch on Rosenberg during the 5-5

Blimey I forgot all about that, from what I've seen of him for us that was well out of character.

[Morany]

Blimey I forgot all about that, from what I've seen of him for us that was well out of character.

Wasn't there a spitting incident too?

[zippyandbungle]

Wasn't there a spitting incident too?

Yep, he is no saint, but sometimes you need that type of player, but when they are in a Man U shirt it's easier to dislike 

[B_H_Baggie]

Wasn't there a spitting incident too?

Him and Cisse from Newcastle I forgot about that too. I remember him denying that he ever spat at him just down toward the floor but the video evidence didn't reflect well on him if I remember rightly.

[Scooby Doo]

We've been quite lucky at CB. Albrechtsen is always the 'what if' one for me. Gaardsoe was very good but Siggurdsson was always our most underrated defender. Evans is just quality.

[spencer Baggie]

Tommy G would have gone on to be a top 6 PL player. One of the best we've had.

[Albionic]

what about Darren Purse? ...............

Yes, I am joking !

[Wollastonbaggie]

Well, if we are permitted to inject some humour into the thread what about Stan Jones (if you're old enough to remember him). He wasn't the greatest but he was entertaining.

[Albionic]

Well, if we are permitted to inject some humour into the thread what about Stan Jones (if you're old enough to remember him). He wasn't the greatest but he was entertaining.

So I've been supporting / going since early -mid 70's and that name eludes me!  When was this?

[hardtobeat]

So I've been supporting / going since early -mid 70's and that name eludes me!  When was this?

Stan Jones was early to mid sixties pre Kaye and Talbut days , without checking was possibly in league cup winning side in 1966

[Wollastonbaggie]

Yes Stan's that was Stan's era. He was excellent with his head and in the tackle but not too hot with the ball at his feet. It was best if he had a team-mate close by who could take the ball from him! Good servant of the Baggies.

[Albionic]

Stan Jones was early to mid sixties pre Kaye and Talbut days , without checking was possibly in league cup winning side in 1966

Ahh, so Johnny "run through walls" Kaye, John Talbot and Dick Kryzwicki are my earliest memories of C-H's. As a diminutive kid, they seemed like Giants.
From memory I think John Kaye had shoulders as wide as he was tall though !