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Off course, I don’t recall some of these people defending him last year when it looked like he’d never met a football beforeIts always the same. When a player improves and does things he wasnt doing in the past, theres always a few posters who will come in and claim that he was doing it all along.
Not really. A couple of posts i made that held up pretty well, and there were others from other posters. We were just drowned out by those wanting him sold immediately. Every new player thread is the same, it's either sell them immediately or they are a sure thing for the next Ballon D'or, and with defenders English fans only see one type. Athletic, strong in the tackle and head everything that comes near them.
I have defended him from the start as well when people were calling him a dud after his first preseason and said he had proved nothing before (except winning the u21 euros, making the tott, performed in the CL with Benfica etc...).
Great postHi all, I'm new here, and as a Benfica fan I like to keep following the career of players that were great here.
I've been reading your discussion and first of all I'm really happy that Viktor is becoming a key player for you. He was raised in Benfica and a personal favorite to me.
After reading your discussion I think I can add 2 points that can explain this resurgance.
1st - Viktor started "slow" in Benfica first team.
Before becoming a first choice, Viktor played several games that were not convincing. To the point that in the preseason before the season where he "exploded", he was to be negotiated with Middlesbrough. He didn't accept the deal and when Luisão got injured he had his opportunity to never leave the first team again. But it wasn't a smooth road.
2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
Great post, welcome to the cafeHi all, I'm new here, and as a Benfica fan I like to keep following the career of players that were great here.
I've been reading your discussion and first of all I'm really happy that Viktor is becoming a key player for you. He was raised in Benfica and a personal favorite to me.
After reading your discussion I think I can add 2 points that can explain this resurgance.
1st - Viktor started "slow" in Benfica first team.
Before becoming a first choice, Viktor played several games that were not convincing. To the point that in the preseason before the season where he "exploded", he was to be negotiated with Middlesbrough. He didn't accept the deal and when Luisão got injured he had his opportunity to never leave the first team again. But it wasn't a smooth road.
2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
He will be the next captain for the Swedish national team.Great post
Is he the future captain for the swedish national team?
Thank you for your insight. We will all be happy if he turns out that way. The crucial part will be pairing him up with a dominant CBHi all, I'm new here, and as a Benfica fan I like to keep following the career of players that were great here.
I've been reading your discussion and first of all I'm really happy that Viktor is becoming a key player for you. He was raised in Benfica and a personal favorite to me.
After reading your discussion I think I can add 2 points that can explain this resurgance.
1st - Viktor started "slow" in Benfica first team.
Before becoming a first choice, Viktor played several games that were not convincing. To the point that in the preseason before the season where he "exploded", he was to be negotiated with Middlesbrough. He didn't accept the deal and when Luisão got injured he had his opportunity to never leave the first team again. But it wasn't a smooth road.
2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
I think he’s stepped up a few meters and meets the ball/forward player more aggressively and more proactively. And I think he used to focuse on “ not losing the header” and now he is focusing on winning it instead. Both ways can be effective but no matter what, it’s a big difference. Or maybe it is just me over analysing it, maybe he just improved his skills in the air by training and coaching
This I totally agree with. There are CBs who are perfect for poor teams and just defend defend defend, and there are CBs who fit better in dominant teams. The skills needed are different for a Barcelona CB and a Cardiff CB. Even though Lindelof had some great matches where his team is just defending (Sweden -Italy in Italy for example) his absolute best sides are shown when his team dominates the match. I always thought he would fit better in City tbh. But now, this is what Ole has done to United. Taking it from being the big club playing defensive coward football to playing big club football again. And that suits many of the players, especially Lindelof.2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
Either way, it was a weakness and now it doesnt look like its going to beI think he’s stepped up a few meters and meets the ball/forward player more aggressively and more proactively. And I think he used to focuse on “ not losing the header” and now he is focusing on winning it instead. Both ways can be effective but no matter what, it’s a big difference. Or maybe it is just me over analysing it, maybe he just improved his skills in the air by training and coaching
Excellent post. Thank you for your feedback. On evidence, what you said is very much clear to see as well. He is incredibly good at reading the game and aggressive when needed. I also agree that he would need someone who is more physical than him, someone like Bailly or Smalling. How would you rate his communication skills? I still feel he's lacking in this, but it might be a language thing.Hi all, I'm new here, and as a Benfica fan I like to keep following the career of players that were great here.
I've been reading your discussion and first of all I'm really happy that Viktor is becoming a key player for you. He was raised in Benfica and a personal favorite to me.
After reading your discussion I think I can add 2 points that can explain this resurgance.
1st - Viktor started "slow" in Benfica first team.
Before becoming a first choice, Viktor played several games that were not convincing. To the point that in the preseason before the season where he "exploded", he was to be negotiated with Middlesbrough. He didn't accept the deal and when Luisão got injured he had his opportunity to never leave the first team again. But it wasn't a smooth road.
2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
Think most didn't rate him, few were overly harsh on him.
Yes, fair play to those who showed more patience than us average chaps jumping the gun. He has improved week by week and I'm very glad we have him as well.
Bailly is a very good CB on his day. Those days have been rare in the last year to be fair. But people have been too quick to write him off.
Had that gone in, it would've been brilliant.
Correct.
Imagine thinking we cant play good attacking football with Rashford and Martial, as they are not wingers, wonder what they think now.If you think that’s what I was saying you are very wrong. If you are going to heavily base your game with build up and transitions from deeper areas then it’s difficult for forwards to be playing essentially in midfield.
No, you weren't saying that. Search is a wonderful feature.
Very good post. This is very interesting, never thought him as a captain material.
From what I've seen he's already one of the most vocal in defence. Obviously there's more to the captaincy then being vocal but he's got that going for him at least.
I feel like even when he was poor last season he was actually quite vocal off the ball. Although it might have just been a few times I picked up on it and got it stuck in my head.
Hi all, I'm new here, and as a Benfica fan I like to keep following the career of players that were great here.
I've been reading your discussion and first of all I'm really happy that Viktor is becoming a key player for you. He was raised in Benfica and a personal favorite to me.
After reading your discussion I think I can add 2 points that can explain this resurgance.
1st - Viktor started "slow" in Benfica first team.
Before becoming a first choice, Viktor played several games that were not convincing. To the point that in the preseason before the season where he "exploded", he was to be negotiated with Middlesbrough. He didn't accept the deal and when Luisão got injured he had his opportunity to never leave the first team again. But it wasn't a smooth road.
2nd - He was raised and always played as a big club player.
Before you all start calling me names, I believe that Man Utd is a big club. One of the biggest in the world. But the game you were playing with Mourinho was not a big club type of play. Viktor is a player that is used to have the ball. To control the game at distance. And to intervene whenever needed. In a game where his side is on top of the game he is almost flawless, both in controlling the defense and when playing RCB being the first one building the attack. As a LCB he is good but not as good. That was clear in his 2nd season with us.
The thing is, Viktor is more like a sweeper. He is great in reading the game and he achieves his full potential when playing with a more physical partner. And that is the type of CB that will be better in a big club that is not under permanent pressure, which is what's happening now with Ole's tenure.
Enjoy him. He is a great player to watch and enjoy. Also, he is great in high pressure matches and I have no doubt that if he stays with you, you have found your captain for the next years.
The risk with too many CB of similar level is that you keep rotating and you never get that solid CB pair. This clearly happened during Mourinhos time where only Smalling got to play and the others every now and then.
Some of those comments are from this season, albeit from the beginning.
Yes you have a good point about all of them being on a similar level, add to that injuries and Mourinho's stubbornness when trying to prove a point.
That is a very good question! Can United afford to school Bailly and give him matches? Both Bailly and Lindelof have shown clear signs that they have potential to become just what United need the coming years, but they will need matches. If we just aim for the future, Bailly should play instead of Jones but Jones has performed pretty well lately imo and allows Lindelof to play to the right. Jones is probably a better choice right now if the priority is to win the match. And that’s the problem, there is really never a good opportunity at this level. Now United are chasing top-4 and winning a cup title could also save the season.
Jones and shaw went running out of position, he was left with 2 strikers in the box. He went to the other and hoped young would shuffle across but obviously it was the wrong choice.
