He is our only CB which has world class potential. I still think that Smalling might be our best defender, but Lindelof is much younger and inexperienced and we can see his progress from game to game.
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Where are the 'we need an aerially dominant CB' caveman brigade now? Rondon is a beast and Lindelof more than held his own against him. He also should have got way more credit for how many times he had to cover Atsu when Valencia sleeping.
He's been fantastic lately.
Excellent performance - against a striker who'd have caused him nightmares previously.
Recall some Benfica fans saying Victor didn't settle into their team straight away either.
Could be the same thing here. He looks more settled and confident now. Growing into the shirt.
Recall some Benfica fans saying Victor didn't settle into their team straight away either.
Could be the same thing here. He looks more settled and confident now. Growing into the shirt.
We do still need an aerially dominant CB.
It's one of the reasons we look so poor at defending set-plays.
Put Smalling in there, and we are set defensively. RB might be a concern defensively, although for all of his shortcomings in attack, Valencia is quite good defensively.
There are question marks regarding Smalling and playing out from the back, but also keeping possession in midfield. Jones is actually very good at finding pockets of space to either drive into or to find a teammate in and around the midfield circle. I doubt Smalling could do the same, and he would also force Lindelöf to the left, most likely.
I think Smalling/Lindelof is strong enough for that - although that comes at the cost of Smalling's passing.
It's too basic to think that an aerially dominant CB fixes set piece weaknesses. Even if we had bought someone like VVD we'd be just as bad because of how we set up - we don't block runners and we sit very deep, DDG stays deep as well which invites pressure (hopefully this will gradually change under Ole). Goal vs Bournemouth wasn't a CB error, it was a set piece to feet that undid us. Cardiff goal was due to Rashford's handball - nothing to do with CBs, Hudderfield was Pogba losing a header and Herrera not tracking the runner.
If we could get a properly WC CB, i'd be keen but just buying someone who is strong aerially doesn't make sense to me.
I'd say we're far from set but it'll do. None of the entire first choice back 4 are good enough at the minute.
It's not everything - but it would help/be a start. I mean we always look better at defending set-plays whenever Fellaini is on the pitch, just because he's so good at attacking and clearing the ball.
Any thoughts of his lack of speed and strength last night?
Seems like he fits better with Jones than Bailly. Not just because he gets to play RCB instead of left, which of course helps. But I believe it is also because despite some flaws, Lindelof know where Jones is, what he is going to do, and can trust him more than Bailly who likes to do unexpected things. I also saw that Herrera covered for Lindelof sometimes when he advanced forward. He needs to be confident that they will cover for him if he screws up. That’s why the best cb come in pair 
Not sure about that - I don't even think Phil Jones know's what Phil Jones is going to do half the time.
What I like about him more than anything is his 'character' that's what makes him a Utd player. Despite all the vultures circling, the media highlighting every initial mistake, people questioning his ability and attributes, Victor has proven he has the self belief and mental strength to play at one of the clubs in world football that you need that the most. This was one of the prerequisites to SAF signing any footballer.
We still need one. One game doesn’t change anything.
I admit to being concerned when he first arrived and all those clangers. However, he has worked on his game and it shows in his performances this season. He has steadily turned himself into a solid centre-back and he’s beginning to read the play in a similar way to Rio. A long way to go before he reaches that exalted level but given his improvements I would not bet against him becoming an outstanding player.
Think we need a quality CB but where people are making the mistake, that's not a reflection on Victor, it's a reflection on the others that are here.
Jones got some mistakes in him, but still he is relatively predictable.
As one of his hardest critics, decided to dive into this thread and eat humble pie. Didn't know he had it in him!
Why you don't give up on players after one season. Some wanted him sold in the summer.
He's not proven anything yet my friend. This is a hard place to win over!
That was during the Jose war. Signing Lindelof for 30m being used a reason why Jose shouldn't buy another CB was always ridiculous.
Blind toyed with Lukaku once among other strong CFs.
Jose sucking the life out of all of his signings was a good enough reason not to trust him with more money.
It wasn't argued that way, it was all about how Lindelof was a pub player who we didn't need.
Disagree here. I think so far this season he's at the very least matched Smalling on the defensive side of the game. The thing that puts Vic above Chris for me is he has much more to his game on the ball so if hes putting in as good as defensive performances as Chris, then he's the better CB imo.
Like I said, playing against mediocre teams where we have 70% possession he'll be fine. I still maintain he isn't good enough as a defender, playing in a high line for a club like ours.
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Whoosh
vs Newcastle
I think he is doing better now. We never saw enough of him or Bailly consistently under mourinho. Despite then being his signings he never seemed to try and bed them in. Jones has been poor and showed no real improvement or potential under several managers now. Rojo is a joke as well. Maybe we need to remember that very few cb’s are the finished article at the age of 23 like vic and Bailly. People go on about vertonghen and alderweireld and Godin but they are all around the 30 mark. Think we could do with one more in there with some leadership qualities though
Predictably bad
So no comments regarding his speed and strength he demonstrated last night?
I've seen his speed and strength and have given you examples of his physical flaw. Zahore of Cardiff exposed his lack of pace against Cardiff.
I like Lindelof.
Just wish he shaved his hair off! Would look like a proper defender then and might sway opinions
Just wish he shaved his hair off! Would look like a proper defender then and might sway opinions
It's the opposite of it.
Would give him better vision to see it sailing over his headI like Lindelof.
Just wish he shaved his hair off! Would look like a proper defender then and might sway opinions
He's so much better at RCB
Tottenham 0:1 Man Utd
We have a player
Another good performance from him, he's starting to look like a really solid CB.
Another good display. That tackle on Winks
Much better the Jones, but still had some shaky moments.
Lucky for him he has De God behind him
Lucky for him he has De God behind him
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