Maguire | NOT McGuire or MacGuire

[PieCrust]

Why spend £60m when it's not an upgrade? I don't think Maguire is a bad player, but he'd just be another body at CB, of which we have plenty already. Sure, he'd start because he's a new signing, but Smalling is a better defender, if not as talented on the ball.

Frustrating that we'd consider spending this on a position of relative strength, but completely ignore LB and RW, which have been a problem for years now. Sandro could be had for cheaper, is a better player at his position and would have a more significant impact.

 

[Red_toad]

They're still both better than Smalling an Jones.

Yes mate obviously Jose knows nothing about how his defensive players perform and you know better....

 

[Ekeke]

That's like every big club in world football saying "there's no point buying a big tall strong defender who can pass the ball competently to our attackers because we have just spent x amount on our midfield". Of course you want a defender that can do more than just defend. Bypassing our midfield can lead to faster counter-attacks, a variation of play. Of course I wouldn't like to see our midfield bypassed every single time, I'd just like to see a new dimension to our play in comparison to our very poor ball-playing CB's we currently have. Lindelof plays the ball well and I look forward to seeing him develop further.

We haven't had incredible passers at the club in quite a while actually. Incredible is a word that rightfully describes someone like Michael Carrick or Paul Scholes - they certainly didn't "all end up smashing it over to Valencia", they looked for a fast paced forward pass whenever possible.

I see Smalling hopelessly pass it out to Valencia a shedload more than I see other players play it out to Valencia.

Just off the top of my head I can say that Maguire is better than Smalling and Jones at: defensive headers, striding out of the defence with the ball, passing ability, confidence on the ball, attacking headers, injury proneness.

I've watched Maguire for a few years closely now and appreciated his ability well before the world cup. It's no coincidence he popped one in against us at the death last season and our CB's couldn't get near him.

They rarely have their CBs pass to the attackers. Its an occasional thing not plan A. Almost all of their passes are to each other and into midfield. A very small percentage are passes up to the attackers in space because its risky

 

[Red_toad]

Why spend £60m when it's not an upgrade? I don't think Maguire is a bad player, but he'd just be another body at CB, of which we have plenty already. Sure, he'd start because he's a new signing, but Smalling is a better defender, if not as talented on the ball.

Frustrating that we'd consider spending this on a position of relative strength, but completely ignore LB and RW, which have been a problem for years now. Sandro could be had for cheaper, is a better player at his position and would have a more significant impact.

Leadership, ability on the ball and excellent in the air. Pair him with Eric or Mike and we may have a winning combo.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Leadership, ability on the ball and excellent in the air. Pair him with Eric or Mike and we may have a winning combo.

Yep. We haven't had an aerial threat since ages.

 

[Hoboman]

If we buy Maguire, Bailly or Lindelof should be tried as a right back

 

[Red_toad]

If we buy Maguire, Bailly or Lindelof should be tried as a right back

No TFM, Dalot or Tuanzebe should all get ahead of Bailly or Lindelhof for right back.

 

[TheReligion]

H is a good player.

If you can't see it you just don't get football very well.

 

[Judas]

No TFM, Dalot or Tuanzebe should all get ahead of Bailly or Lindelhof for right back.

Why?

 

[Rajma]

H is a good player.

If you can't see it you just don't get football very well.

No ‘quote me on this’ anymore?

 

[Ekeke]

Yep. We haven't had an aerial threat since ages.

You mean other than our goalscoring CB Smalling?

 

[Keeps It tidy]

H is a good player.

If you can't see it you just don't get football very well.

He is a good player but, not what we need right now.

 

[Judas]

If we need a new CB, why isn't he exactly what we need right now?

 

[Keeps It tidy]

If we need a new CB, why isn't he exactly what we need right now?

We do not need a new CB.

 

[tedketterman]

Yes mate obviously Jose knows nothing about how his defensive players perform and you know better....

Aye spot on.

 

[Ekeke]

If we need a new CB, why isn't he exactly what we need right now?

Because he doesnt improve us defensively and is coming off the biggest hype of his professional footballing life? Not that I don't think hed be a decent addition for a realistic fee. He's definitely someone who could potentially take Jones' place in the team and squad. But thats where he's at. He's not one of the top CBs in the league

 

[Litch]

Like him but I suspect we might not see the same player. I can't imagine Jose will allow him to play bringing the ball out and linking with the midfield in the same way he plays for Leicester and England. Watch if you don't see him passing it 10 yards to Matic or Fred.....

 

[Escobar]

We do not need a new CB.

In terms of numbers, no. In terms of quality, absolutely

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

 

[GBBQ]

In terms of numbers, no. In terms of quality, absolutely

Is Maguire a sufficient upgrade though? Seems our Central defence is made up of nearly men and I'm not sure Maguire has been tested enough to be the guaranteed answer to our issues.

 

[Offside]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

Would also mean Young and Valencia who are already inept and unbalanced on each flank become our primary wide-attacking threats. Would not be pretty. We need fullbacks whatever system we play.

 

[Bestietom]

3 CB's in 3 years. Does Mourinho not see that our weakness is proper Full Backs. If these areas as well as a right winger are not addressed this season, I don't expect any improvement in our goal return.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Would also mean Young and Valencia who are already inept and unbalanced on each flank become our primary wide-attacking threats. Would not be pretty. We need fullbacks whatever system we play.

Sandro is more of a defensive minded full back I believe.

 

[r3idy]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

Just about to reply with the same thing myself. He has good options on ball playing CB if Jose goes for

Maguire======Bailly=======Lindelof

 

[Litch]

Just about to reply with the same thing myself. He has good options on ball playing CB if Jose goes for

Maguire======Bailly=======Lindelof

I like that.

 

[Escobar]

Is Maguire a sufficient upgrade though? Seems our Central defence is made up of nearly men and I'm not sure Maguire has been tested enough to be the guaranteed answer to our issues.

I dont know, have not watched him enough. But compared to past years, our back four is nowhere close to compete

 

[GBBQ]

I dont know, have not watched him enough. But compared to past years, our back four is nowhere close to compete

100% agree, just I feel more comfortable when i see us linked with Bonucci or Alderweireld as they have shown their talents on a longer time scale.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

That back three would not be good enough on the ball to work.

Just about to reply with the same thing myself. He has good options on ball playing CB if Jose goes for

Maguire======Bailly=======Lindelof

Still not good enough.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

That back three would not be good enough on the ball to work.



Still not good enough.

I disagree. They don't all have to be in the exceptional level of passing for it to work. The key component is Maguire who would step out to make the extra man in midfield. So long as you have the midfielders that are capable of playing on the half turn it will work. Matic is that that guy and Fred is supposed to be too.

 

[Craig Ward]

If we buy Maguire, Bailly or Lindelof should be tried as a right back

Neither are natural RB's and Bailly is by far our best CB.

Lindelof perhaps, but he needs to develop as a CB and we have Dalot, Valencia, Young and TFM for RB.

Decent suggestion, just not practical for me.

Maguire for this sum of money seems rash and wont really improve us. Maguire can pass better than most of our current lot, but our midfield sit to deep to pick the ball up our CB's in Jose's system don't really need to be able to pick a pass.

Unless our team mentality and shape change to allow our defenders to carry/play the ball out and our midfield sits a bit higher up the pitch, then having a ball playing CB is not needed. Lindelof can play out, he just always has Matic/Pogba/Someone no more than 5 - 10 yards from him to take the ball

If our style of play remains - I wouldn't waste the money on a new CB

 

[Litch]

For me not sure how much our defence needed improving as wasn't it the second best in the league anyway? Maguire for me is a better option than Jones and Rojo. If buying him means selling those two, that's good business to me....

 

[Ekeke]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

Why? He'd be perfect for a left wingback role

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Why? He'd be perfect for a left wingback role

I thought I read that he was more defensive. I haven't seen him play all that much so could be wrong.

 

[The Purley King]

Just about to reply with the same thing myself. He has good options on ball playing CB if Jose goes for

Maguire======Bailly=======Lindelof

If you play three at the back you need good wing backs. Unless Dalot turns out to be a superstar and Shaw pulls his finger out, we will still have Valencia and Young out there........

 

[r3idy]

If you play three at the back you need good wing backs. Unless Dalot turns out to be a superstar and Shaw pulls his finger out, we will still have Valencia and Young out there........

Agreed but it's much harder to score against a solid middle 2 or 3 than average full backs

 

[shaky]

Maguire for this sum of money seems rash and wont really improve us. Maguire can pass better than most of our current lot, but our midfield sit to deep to pick the ball up our CB's in Jose's system don't really need to be able to pick a pass.

Maybe it's exactly because our current lot can't pass that well that our midfielders end up sitting deep to pick up balls from our CBs. Someone with a better range of passing could be what Jose wants to free up the players in front of him.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

You can imagine Jose having wet dreams tho at the prospect of the set piece power with Maguire in the line up. England used him quite well at the back post putting it back across the goal. Fellaini, Maguire, Smalling, Matic Lukaku, Pogba in the line up surely we’d have to be a threat at set pieces. Just take Rashford off delivery duties.

 

[andersj]

I think the Maguire signing would mean us going to three at the back. Bailly, Smalling and Maguire would make a pretty good back three, each have the attributes to cover for what the others lack.

It would also mean that Pogba would be able to play a more free role with Matic sitting and Fred taking up the other central position.

This could be why the interest in Sandro has died.

You could be right. But there is one small problem when we try to make sense of everything; we dont really know Mourinhos pecking order of the CBs. During his time here all the CBs have had different spells where they have been really good.

- Rojo was awful last year, but lets not forget how good he was before he did his knee. He might actually trust him, and feel that last years struggle was due to the injury. He certainly did prefer him in 16/17.

- Jones have also had good spells with us.

- Bailly was very highly rated at one point.

- Up until febuary very few thought that Mourinho rated Chris Smalling. Now he appears to be very highly rated.

In my opinion fullbacks are quite restricted in a Mourinho team. I’m not sure how big a difference a talented fullback will make if he is not allowed a lot of freedom going forward.

I’m not sure we will see three at the back. But I would not be surprised to see a narrow 4 with Bailly, Alderweireld, Rojo and Young. Or maybe Bailly, Smalling, Maguire and Young. Similar to a system he used against Chelsea.

I do feel that a high quality CB, a leader, would improve the other CBs. A bit like Rio next to Silvestre/Brown. Or vvd next to Lovren.

 

[Offside]

You can imagine Jose having wet dreams tho at the prospect of the set piece power with Maguire in the line up. England used him quite well at the back post putting it back across the goal. Fellaini, Maguire, Smalling, Matic Lukaku, Pogba in the line up surely we’d have to be a threat at set pieces. Just take Rashford off delivery duties.

Yeah was going to say it’s a shame we can’t beat the first man

 

[jmaggio]

He’s comfortably better than any of our Center Backs bar Bailly.