[AR87]

Got to do a lot better than that if he wants Mourinho to give him chances this season. Just watched his man get away from him.

He has to play better but imo that was on Smalling because he pushed up higher than Axel and Bailly and didn't see the runner moving across into his zone.

 

[SteveW]

Is it just me, or has Axel gotten so big that he's looking very slow off the mark? Once he gets going he's still got plenty of pace, but he really seemed ponderous at times against San Jose. Maybe it's just him being rusty from the break (and from memory he missed a fair chunk of the second half of last season through injury).

I do expect him to go off on loan, so hopefully he gets plenty of games wherever he goes.

He's very quick.

 

[SteveW]

He has to play better but imo that was on Smalling because he pushed up higher than Axel and Bailly and didn't see the runner moving across into his zone.

It was Axel's mistake. Switched off

 

[11101]

He has to play better but imo that was on Smalling because he pushed up higher than Axel and Bailly and didn't see the runner moving across into his zone.

It's on both of them. Tuanzebe should never let his man just run off him like that, but Smalling was ball watching.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

You also expect the senior CB to be constantly talking and organising the defence. Something that precisely nobody seems to be doing since Rio retired.

 

[mav_9me]

I so wish we would get a rotation of Bailly, new defender, Lindelof and Tuanzebe as our central defenders. Maybe keep smalling if he wishes but 2 out of Jones/Rojo/Smalling need to be sold. We have to move on from these guys.

 

[Alfie092]

I so wish we would get a rotation of Bailly, new defender, Lindelof and Tuanzebe as our central defenders. Maybe keep smalling if he wishes but 2 out of Jones/Rojo/Smalling need to be sold. We have to move on from these guys.

Definitely! I'm not fussed either which 2 we sell out of the 3!

 

[AR87]

It was Axel's mistake. Switched off

It's on both of them. Tuanzebe should never let his man just run off him like that, but Smalling was ball watching.

That's fair. I tend to put it more on Smalling as the central man in the 3 and as the senior figure. Axel should have reacted better to what was actually happening though instead of what should have happened.

 

[AltiUn]

You also expect the senior CB to be constantly talking and organising the defence. Something that precisely nobody seems to be doing since Rio retired.

It's why I'm not shocked to see us linked with names like Alderweireld and Bonucci who have the reputation for good organisation, Smalling's creeping up on 29 and I doubt he'll ever develop that characteristic and Rojo who's our other "senior" CB barely ever plays.

 

[2cents]

You also expect the senior CB to be constantly talking and organising the defence. Something that precisely nobody seems to be doing since Rio retired.

Think Blind was the only one who came close.

 

[SteveW]

It's why I'm not shocked to see us linked with names like Alderweireld and Bonucci who have the reputation for good organisation, Smalling's creeping up on 29 and I doubt he'll ever develop that characteristic and Rojo who's our other "senior" CB barely ever plays.

I think this is a fair point actually looking at the age profile of our defenders. If he truly believes in Bailly and Lindelof long term it might make sense to sign and older player to provide leadership while they develop instead of signing someone that will take over for years.

I wonder what happens if we do sign an experienced CB. As it stands Smalling is the only reliable CB we have but perhaps he might give Bailly or Lindelof more runs with a true leader to guide them.

 

[Red_toad]

He has to play better but imo that was on Smalling because he pushed up higher than Axel and Bailly and didn't see the runner moving across into his zone.

Nope he lost his man, got out witted, it happens. Can't absolve him of blame just as you don't like Smalling.

 

[AltiUn]

I think this is a fair point actually looking at the age profile of our defenders. If he truly believes in Bailly and Lindelof long term it might make sense to sign and older player to provide leadership while they develop instead of signing someone that will take over for years.

I wonder what happens if we do sign an experienced CB. As it stands Smalling is the only reliable CB we have but perhaps he might give Bailly or Lindelof more runs with a true leader to guide them.

Regarding your second point I think we've seen some evidence of what your saying with Lindelof and Granqvist. Lindelof looked much more assured and confident when he had a player with real leadership qualities next to him, that's why I'd be fairly confident that if we also signed someone like that we could see it as the next step in Bailly's and Lindelof's development. Bailly in particular I feel would massively benefit from having a calming presence next to him as he's undoubtedly a very talented player.

 

[Cloud7]

Regarding your second point I think we've seen some evidence of what your saying with Lindelof and Granqvist. Lindelof looked much more assured and confident when he had a player with real leadership qualities next to him, that's why I'd be fairly confident that if we also signed someone like that we could see it as the next step in Bailly's and Lindelof's development. Bailly in particular I feel would massively benefit from having a calming presence next to him as he's undoubtedly a very talented player.

Can Bonucci be that player though? I’ve not watched him at Milan, but at Juventus it always felt like Chiellini was the leader of the defense. Bonucci is absolutely top quality and would love for us to get him though, but I’m genuinely curious about the leadership aspect since I agree that our defense lacks a real leader.

Similarly at Spurs it seems more like Vertonghen is the leader/organizer in their defense. I’m welcome to be corrected if I’m wrong.

 

[AltiUn]

Can Bonucci be that player though? I’ve not watched him at Milan, but at Juventus it always felt like Chiellini was the leader of the defense. Bonucci is absolutely top quality and would love for us to get him though, but I’m genuinely curious about the leadership aspect since I agree that our defense lacks a real leader.

Similarly at Spurs it seems more like Vertonghen is the leader/organizer in their defense. I’m welcome to be corrected if I’m wrong.

I'll be honest with you, I said "reputation" because I've not really seen that much of Bonucci myself at Milan. I will say with confidence though that the partnership with Vertonghen and Alderweireld works so well because they're both capable of leading and organising their defence, the same way Vidic and Ferdinand were both capable of it even if it was primarily Ferdinand.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Regarding your second point I think we've seen some evidence of what your saying with Lindelof and Granqvist. Lindelof looked much more assured and confident when he had a player with real leadership qualities next to him, that's why I'd be fairly confident that if we also signed someone like that we could see it as the next step in Bailly's and Lindelof's development. Bailly in particular I feel would massively benefit from having a calming presence next to him as he's undoubtedly a very talented player.

And that's the tragedy with Chris Smalling. He's developed into our best out and out defender as well as proving himself the only CB capable of staying fit for any length of time. However, he is basically the exact opposite of a "calming presence" despite being the oldest CB in our squad. And we've seen this translated into disjointed, chaotic defensive performances time and time again ever since Rio and Vida retired.

 

[Cloud7]

I'll be honest with you, I said "reputation" because I've not really seen that much of Bonucci myself at Milan. I will say with confidence though that the partnership with Vertonghen and Alderweireld works so well because they're both capable of leading and organising their defence, the same way Vidic and Ferdinand were both capable of it even if it was primarily Ferdinand.

Ahh cheers. Thanks for the correction mate.

 

[AR87]

Nope he lost his man, got out witted, it happens. Can't absolve him of blame just as you don't like Smalling.

Who said I don't like Smalling? I like him more than alot of the Caf, I just happen to think his positioning was the underlying issue leading to the goal more than Axel's failure to track. After the goal you can even see Axel seeming to point out to Smalling that he was passing him on as he moved across into his zone. He should have recognized that Smalling wasn't in position and simply tracked the runner there. Both share blame in this situation.

 

[SteveW]

Regarding your second point I think we've seen some evidence of what your saying with Lindelof and Granqvist. Lindelof looked much more assured and confident when he had a player with real leadership qualities next to him, that's why I'd be fairly confident that if we also signed someone like that we could see it as the next step in Bailly's and Lindelof's development. Bailly in particular I feel would massively benefit from having a calming presence next to him as he's undoubtedly a very talented player.

I tend to agree. Personally I'd still have Smalling in there as he's the best out and out defender and he too would benefit from having a calming presence beside him. In the big games it would be our strongest partnership.

However it would also make us less dependent on Chris going forward and hopefully create more opportunities for Bailly/Lindelof to develop and become options that we can rely on too.

 

[Zoo]

Really good first half. He has the ability to make it here.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Really good first half. He has the ability to make it here.

He won’t get the chances here. Hope he gets a good loan.

 

[kundalini]

The whole back three seemed to be in a near constant state of chaos. There have been games in which Axel has been far better in possession than he was today.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

I dont know guys I quite stop believing in a hype of all our promising CBs: neither of RoShaun, Tuanzebe or Timbo really impressed me in anything lately that I would have to say, this is as future ManUnited CB, maybe I don't pay as much attention to CBs as other positions on the pitch but dont see the progression at all. Of course CB is very hard position to cement in a top6 team coming through academy and it all looks like chaos whenever we play back3 but isn't mourinho supposed to be god with defenders especially the way we set up, very antifootball and defensively? Imagine playing back 4 and high line. Would these players be better at it?

 

[Acole9]

Looked the best out of all our centre backs on tour, the rest have been very poor.

 

[cyberman]

The whole back three seemed to be in a near constant state of chaos. There have been games in which Axel has been far better in possession than he was today.

I noticed this as well. Everytime they controled the ball they seemed to be surprised that they had it. Always a half a step away which forced them into a panicked clearance.

 

[FootballHQ]

Looks like we're getting him back on a season long loan.

I promise this time we'll actually play him at CB!

 

[Nicklas]

Looks like we're getting him back on a season long loan.

I promise this time we'll actually play him at CB!

Great news, how many CB's do you have this season?

 

[FootballHQ]

Great news, how many CB's do you have this season?

Hardly any, Chester is staying and only other experienced CB is Tommy Elphick who's generally struggled for us so Axel should get a regular game at CB if he comes back.

Bruce has also been playing 3-5-2 a fair bit in pre season.

 

[Zoo]

I think he’s good enough to be playing for a PL team.

 

[MikeKing]

I think he’s good enough to be playing for a PL team.

He certainly is. He is a massive talent and a leader in the making, he just needs to go and get that experience at a lower level Pl club where his mistakes will be forgiven more easily.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Think the Villa loan will be good for him.

 

[nemanja15]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Gone back to Villa for another year, confirmed.

 

[Raw]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Gone back to Villa for another year, confirmed.

Villa fans seem very happy about this judging from the replies, glad he's doing well.

 

[flappyjay]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Gone back to Villa for another year, confirmed.

They better use him this time, if he does well we might even let them get him again if they get promoted

 

[J_XO]

Probably means we’re confident of bringing a CB in. Would be stupid to let him go if not. I’ve got high hopes for Axel, thought he might’ve got a look in this season.

 

[extincti fugax hominum]

Good news. Just hope he plays week in week out this time though.

Probably means we’re confident of bringing a CB in. Would be stupid to let him go if not. I’ve got high hopes for Axel, thought he might’ve got a look in this season.

Why? We already have 5 CBs even if you don't count TFM, Williams etc. and it's not like we used him much last season. We could always send him on loan regardless of we sign a new CB or not imo.

 

[Infestissumam]

Good news. With Terry gone, they should use him a lot more than last season hopefully.

 

[J_XO]

Good news. Just hope he plays week in week out this time though.



Why? We already have 5 CBs even if you don't count TFM, Williams etc. and it's not like we used him much last season. We could always send him on loan regardless of we sign a new CB or not imo.

Our CB’s drop like flies. Bailly, Jones often miss large chunks of the season and Lindelof hasn’t had the greatest of starts. Axel has proved to be reliable when he’s needed to fill in at CB & RB.

 

[roonster09]

Villa fans think he will be first choice CB with Chester. 2 ManUtd academy players.

 

[roseguy64]

Probably means we’re confident of bringing a CB in. Would be stupid to let him go if not. I’ve got high hopes for Axel, thought he might’ve got a look in this season.

We loaned him out last season with the same number of CBs available. Means nothing.