Jones unfazed by Scholes criticism

Phil Jones is "not quite clever enough" to be a centre-back in Paul Scholes' opinion, not that the England international cares what his former Manchester United team-mate or anyone else thinks. The 23-year-old was rather surprisingly deployed as right-back instead of Nathaniel Clyne in the Three Lions' friendly against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.Jones was solid enough in the 0-0 draw at the Aviva Stadium, although centre-back is the United defender's preferred position - a role Scholes believes he is "not quite clever enough to do".The defender's former team-mate believes he gets dragged out of position too easily, and reckons his pace, power and crossing ability makes him more effective as a full-back."People comment all the time about individuals," Jones said when that was put to him."Gone are the days when I used to take notice of what people say and react to it. It doesn't bother me one little bit any more."I am at the stage now where I can't be considered as a young player any more. I have got to step up, keep playing well and do what I do best."Right-back is the third different role Jones has been asked to play in as many games, having played in central defence against Lithuania and then pushed into midfield against Italy a few days later."I was no (Andrea) Pirlo or something like that - do you know what I mean?" Jones said. "I could have told you that before the game!"I can laugh about it now but I try to do the job as best I can. I know I'm not an out-and-out midfielder who is going to get on the ball and start spraying it about. I know what I am good at and I try to stick to that."I have played in all three (positions) now and sometimes it can be difficult going from one position to the next, but I feel more comfortable at right-back."Obviously centre-back is where I want to be playing, but I was happy to play at right-back (against Ireland)."You just take it on the chin and play where you are asked to play. I know I can play in those positions."Some people think it is easy to just slot in there and everyone assumes that you have got to be up to speed straight away, but I was happy to play and it was a tough game."

Source: PA