What's our best centre-back partnership?

[Fracture90]

It looks to be Lindelof + one at the moment, Bailly probably since he's fairly better than Smalling on the ball.

 

[Steerpike]

Lindelof plus one. Perhaps Smalling

Yes, I also think Lindelof has become the first choice, and that Smalling would be the best to play alongside him currently.

For me, Jones is just too injury prone and, though he's played quite well of late, still makes too many errors.

Bailly has the attributes to become a very good centre back, but he needs to show better judgement about when to go into challenges, and develop better composure. He's young for the position, so I still think that may happen. Perhaps in a few years we may be talking about the Lindelof-Bailly partnership in the same way as Ferdinand-Vidic or Bruce-Pallister (or perhaps I'm being too optimistic).

 

[cyril C]

Bailly is too much of a headless chicken for me. There's probably a decent defender in there somewhere, but he needs a lot of work. Lindelof and Smalling should be the first choice pairing until it becomes possible to sign the centre back we want.

Lindelof plus new signing
Smalling Bailly
Jones Tuanzebe

Should be what we see next season. Get what we can for Rojo.

Agree. Get what we can for Darmian as well, with Blind already gone, Rojo should be next. Dalot played on the left once but I am not sure how comfortable he can be, if yes perfect then we don't need to rush in for an experienced LB as Young isn't getting younger. I believe Jones and Tuanzebe can stand in for RB. Bye bye to Valencia too.

 

[MadDogg]

Quite ironic you say that while Smalling is currently out due to injury.

Every player gets injured occasionally. Smalling gets far less than Jones, Bailly and Rojo.

 

[Rafeeq RSA]

Would like to see a Smalling Lindelof Bailly back at some stage.

 

[Leftback99]

Smalling and Lindelof on current form, otherwise Smalling and Jones. Bailly and Rojo nowhere near it.

 

[red4ever 79]

Lindelof and a new signing.

 

[davidmichael]

I’d say Lindelof plus one and I think because Lindelof needs someone good in the air the other should be Smalling for this season at least.

Lindelof is growing into the ball playing centre back we hoped he’d become but aerially isn’t great which is Smalling’s strongest point, as a pure defender I’d say Smalling is currently the best we have and although injured now has a good fitness record.

I like Bailly on paper but he doesn’t seem to have progressed since his first season with us and is still very rash which could cost us dear at any moment, Jones is the best we have in terms of pure ability but is constantly injured and prone to at least one lapse a game.

Rojo should be sold and not anywhere near the team as he’s even more rash than Bailly and as injury prone as Jones, he was only signed due to LVG’s ‘philosophy’ and having to have a left footer on the left side at centre back. I’d love to see Tuanzebe given a chance as he could be the partner that Lindelof needs long term and from what I hear he’s been amazing at Villa all season up until his injury.

 

[FootyGirl88]

 

[AaronRedDevil]

Lindelof and Bailly. Thought it was obvious.

 

[Canagel]

Loving this partnership. I also think Bailly should play some games at RB. That reverse pass was quite good.

 

[Zlatattack]

Lets see how we do by mid-march.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

Lindelof is the best defender at the club and he's certainly got the best injury record so he's the first choice. Bailly on his day would be the most ideal partner but he does get injured a lot and he's prone to moments of madness. In that sense perhaps Smalling is the more sensible choice.

The right answer is probably Lindelof + summer signing.

Jones and Rojo are useless. Always injured and crap.

 

[Minimalist]

Partnership is a different thing but Lindelof and Smalling are clearly the best we have regardless of how you rate either of them.

Jones and Rojo in the bin.

 

[Mcking]

Although I would argue that Smalling is our best defender, but Lindelof and Jones has been fit and very good under Ole. They are our best on the ball by a margin, both get to play in a position where they are comfortable, they compliment each other well, and are equally decent defenders. I would keep the partnership.

 

[Sylar]

Id like to see them get at least a 5 game run together as I reckon they got a good making of a partnership (Bailly, Lindelof). Im still surprised Jose signed both of them but kept chopping and changing as much as he did and just didnt give them a run (despite a mistake or two). It seemed whenever somebody made a mistake they werent allowed to play through it.

Bailly looks unorthodox at times. I think the one thing he needs to cut out is the way he charges out when its not needed. (eg his sending off early in Oles run). Consistency in the team will only benefit all and of course DDG having a consistent defence in front of him would help with communication.

 

[Nikelesh Reddy]

Lindelof and Smalling will end up being our first choice CB pairing until the end of this season...

 

[Camilo]

Anyone who makes one of these fecking awful videos with wank-stain music deserves their editing computer shoved up their arse.

 

[AfroBuffalo]

Bailly & Lindelof for me; I agree Bailly can have a heads gone moment but I think the more games he plays with Lindelof, the more it will be ironed out. I have really high hopes for this partnership. I'd be happy going for Manolas over Koudibaly to save cash, just for the reason that I think Bailly & Lindelof will come good.

 

[MrSingh2002]

This threads crying out for a poll!

 

[Trizy]

Big iceman Lindo and Smalling would be ideal.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I dare to say it’s Smalling & Lindelof for the next few years. 12 & 2, Rio & Vidic 5 &15, coincidence?

 

[Hugh Jass]

The iceman and Smalling or Bailly.

 

[red_de_pologne]

Smallindelof

 

[Rozay]

Smalling and Lindelöf

Them two.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Roughly a year later..

Maguire + Lindelof -- proven best, more than enough games as evidences.
Maguire + Bailly -- maybe better, not enough games to back it up.
Maguire + Smalling -- theoretically the greatest best, ideal partnership.. a huge maybe but likely won't happen.

 

[romufc]

Maguire + Bailly -- maybe better, not enough games to back it up.

I think if Bailly is fully fit and can stay fit, this would be our best CB partnership.

I know Lindelof has done well but I feel Bailly compliments Maguire better with his aggression, pace and composure. We could be better defensively from set pieces too.

 

[RkkMan]

Maguire + Bailly 100%
Maguire and Lindelof are too similar and lack the pace and agility to stylistically fit other. Maguire`s composed style of play and a fully fit Bailly`s agility, pace and aggression complement each other very well.

 

[freeurmind]

If Smalling does come back to us for next season, where does that leave Axel? I know he hasn't really been tested at the top level but I think Tuanzebe would be the best partner for Maguire.

 

[romufc]

Tuanzebe would be the best partner for Maguire.

On what evidence?

 

[freeurmind]

On what evidence?

His form last season in the Championship. A huge part of it is because he is untested. I think we've seen enough of Smalling and Lindelof to know that they are not quite top level and Bailly is always injured. At least with axel the potential is there.

 

[Solius]

Maguire + Bailly 100%
Maguire and Lindelof are too similar and lack the pace and agility to stylistically fit other. Maguire`s composed style of play and a fully fit Bailly`s agility, pace and aggression complement each other very well.

This. Lindelof is a bit physically weak and not great in the air. Bailly when he's not on a mad one is a much better defender.

 

[Andersonson]

I think if Bailly is fully fit and can stay fit, this would be our best CB partnership.

I know Lindelof has done well but I feel Bailly compliments Maguire better with his aggression, pace and composure. We could be better defensively from set pieces too.

No chance. If Bailly was even close to Lindelof he would've played already. He's 4th choice for a reason.

The hype around this guy is weird

 

[Silas]

No chance. If Bailly was even close to Lindelof he would've played already. He's 4th choice for a reason.

The hype around this guy is weird

If he wasn't always injured, yes. Not sure how you can say it isn't close.

 

[11101]

Maguire + Lindelof

Maguire + Bailly has the potential to be better if Bailly can overcome fitness issues and catch up on his development.


Tuanzebe is still a question mark and Smalling, if he comes back, can do a job but is not going to be good enough for the long term.

 

[Andersonson]

If he wasn't always injured, yes. Not sure how you can say it isn't close.

Because he has been fit for a long time and is either on the bench or in the stands. When he gets a game he isnt starting the next.

That tells you everything about the pecking order and the manager cleary see better options. Was it close, Lindelof would be benched alot more and he hasnt

 

[romufc]

His form last season in the Championship. A huge part of it is because he is untested. I think we've seen enough of Smalling and Lindelof to know that they are not quite top level and Bailly is always injured. At least with axel the potential is there.

I appreciate that he had a good season, I wanted to see him break into the team this season. However; he has not delivered as I thought he would. Mainly because, it seems he is injury prone. We need to have a CB that will stay fit for majority of the season.

This is why Lindelof is first choice at the moment, you can see Ole wants to try a different partnership. When Tuanzebe was fit, he was trying to get him in the team and kept getting injured. Bailly had a long term injury, but you can see he is eager to introduce that mould of CB.

 

[romufc]

No chance. If Bailly was even close to Lindelof he would've played already. He's 4th choice for a reason.

The hype around this guy is weird

I am not sure how much you have kept yourself in the loop this season but Bailly has been injured for most part of it.

As soon as Bailly came back, Ole brought him back with caution.

 

[Andersonson]

I am not sure how much you have kept yourself in the loop this season but Bailly has been injured for most part of it.

As soon as Bailly came back, Ole brought him back with caution.

He was back in late december, played reserve games right before new year, and then for the first team vs Chelsea in february. And then only Europa league games.
Look up the info for which game he has been on the bench and you'll see for yourself. He has been fit and on the bench or in the stands. Could've played around 25 games, but has been choosen for 5 or 6 and most of the games has been europa league.

Brought back with caution ... I laughed at this tbf

 

[Lentwood]

Bailly and Lindelof both have the same issue - they aren't quite good enough in the air.

Lindelof in particular is usually excellent against the better teams who keep the ball on the deck, most of his bad games or mistakes have come against opponents who play long ball or rely on set-pieces

I feel given they are both average in the air and Lindelof is more consistent, he should be considered ahead of Bailly right now