Maybe its simply a striker telling you who is harder to play against, Smalling and Tuanzabe.
Whereas the manager is also considering on the ball and Lindelof's experience over Tuanzabe and thats why hes starting over him for now.
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Whereas the manager is also considering on the ball and Lindelof's experience over Tuanzabe and thats why hes starting over him for now.
This is quite interesting and also something we can see on the pitch.
It is not encouraged by any of the top coaches. Maybe in a team in lowest part of a division.
Of the little I have seen from him playing full back, he has not impressed on me. In case of injuries etc where there is no other solution, he can substitute as he can handle the defensive part good enough. But as a starter? No. He does not have the skills nor attributes that makes him a threat in the attack. Thats my opinion.
Take the 30 best CBs in the world who are max 25 years old. 0-2 of them will end up legendary top CBs. The majority will be very good CBs five years later, some will fail. The 0-2 are probably already now top 10 of all CBs. Victor is not a top 10. That is why the chance is extremelynsmall he will be one of them 0-2. Not because his "defensive actions" stats are at the same level as most of today's world's best CBs.
Tuanzebe btw had similar stats but in much weaker competition.
Yes because that’s exactly what I said.
You seem to base everything about football around numbers to be honest, in every discussion I've seen you in. I can't really be bothered to discuss whether Lindelof has enough 'defensive actions' or not, he looks a solid defender when he plays nowadays and it's all that matters to me to be fair. Having one additional defensive action a game wouldn't change much in my view.
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According to what I was told, Smalling was much more difficult to face in a 1v1 battle followed by Axel. Mason actually beat Lindelof in a sprint and more than matched him in a physical duel according to what I was told but he admitted he struggled against both Smalling and Axel in that regard. It doesn't prove that Axel will guaranteed unsurp Lindelof. But if he plays to his capabilities then I believe he will do it, due to the physical/athletic advantage which he holds over the Swede and he's very good on the ball to boot. Lindelof has a guy breathing down his neck with bigger potential and more in the locker.
Does it count as an action when you shit your pants on the ball?
Smalling would be killing it.
Smalling would be killing it.
A strong Manchester United will have Lindelof as the 3rd CB similarly to how we used Johnsen. Axel also needs to improve his aerial game to be a mainstay in the team longterm. I think he'll oust Lindelof, but his aerial game is a concern, but he's still only 21 and has time on his side.
I'm not for a second suggesting that Lindelof will always be the better player, but there are a couple in here, I thought you were included but I may be wrong, that think Tuanzebe is the better player now and should take Lindelof's place. That is what I have an issue with.
Lindelof is the better player at the moment. Just because you can't see what is blindingly obvious to everyone else, the manager included, which is that Lindelof is a very good CB does not make him a bad player.
I agree, he needs to prove himself and bringing him in gradually would be the way to go. Lindelof and Maguire are the way to go for now. And if aint broke don't fix it..
Smalling also gets unnecessary stick on here I feel. I agree he isn't as capable on the ball like some of our other CBs. But he has been a good servant for us and has had good seasons for us as a CB.
If I had a player giving me insider opinions I would be keeping that to myself. He might not be all that chuffed especially as that kind of stuff might cause problems ‘at work’
After all he is not a 6 year old anymore and has a career to consider. Just a thought
I actually wouldn't doubt that Smalling is the hardest player in our team to get past 1v1. Every team even down to lower divisions has a tough tackling centre back. It doesn't mean much though, it's better to read the game and position yourself so you don't need to tackle and Lindelof and Maguire are by far the best in our team at that. That's why they're starting and we have a youth player backing them up on the bench whilst the rest don't even make the squad.
I'm sure Greenwood likes his private opinions about his teammates being plastered all over the internet too.
It's pre decided what I can share on here tbh. I stayed quiet during the Sanchez v Greenwood bust up thread for example.
Nobody said hes a bad player. But apparently Greenwood finds it harder to play against Smalling and Tuanzabe. No surprise that a fast striker finds it hardest against the two quick CBs who are also strong, rather than the CB who isnt that quick and isnt strong.
I dont think its going to cause trouble that redcafe learns which of the United CBs our striker thinks is harder to play against. They are all our players
In a 1v1 duel then you'd fancy the quicker/stronger types, Bailly, Smalling, Tuanzebe.
But defending is usually a unit, rarely do you get isolated 1v1. That's where positioning and timing is more important, and people like Maguire / Lindelof excel.
When asked which CBs are hardest to play against, you'd probably answer who you wouldn't fancy a duel with right?
Exactly..
Quite a lot of other team players have mentioned Smalling previously, and now it's pretty unaminously Van Dijk.
That'd be an offensive action, though.
That’s ok then. I have a couple ex premier players as mates and I simply keep everything to myself. They are in the agent business now and as long as say nothing I get plenty gossip. I almost consider telling this much as too much...
Like when Lindelof skied his clearance?
But yeah Lindelof tends to be cooler on the ball. He wasnt at that time
So he tells you what you can and can't post on Redcafe?
Lindelof is miles ahead of Smalling. No top manager in world football is picking Smalling over Lindelof in 2019.
I ask both him and his Dad before sharing anything..
Lindelof is only better than Smalling on the ball and everything else is up for debate. My personal opinion is that Smalling is the better pure defender.
If he was that dependable then why hasn't has made the CB position his own. If he was that good as you say he should have been our own Ramos. How come he is not a regular for both his club and country. Truth is he is not that good enough like you make him to be. He is decent at defending but his overall game is poor.
He has every season for us. So far this season Ole wants CBs who have better ball control and passing, we'll see if he sticks with that if we're conceding often. He probably will but he may not.
His position has always been in question. He has only had one good season in 2015-16 where he featured in 35 PL games, apart from that he has not hit 30+ games in PL even once. Only reason he was playing last season was because Woodward did not sign a CB, other wise he would have been benched last season too. The only thing I like about Smalling is he is less injury prone in comparison to the Bailly's, Jones and Rojo's.
Smalling is shite, hth.
YOu implied it, so why should it work differently to mid/attackers to defenders?
But he does have injuries, else he would have played more. Particularly several years ago
I did not imply that at all, you just tried to spin my comment to suggest I said goals were not important. I was quite clearly talking about a bunch stats that don't actually show full picture.
Smalling has been a great servant to us, and is very underrated, but he brings far more pressure on the backline than we need.
Lindelof is more than good enough to win things with in the next 2-3 years. Smalling and Tuanzebe are able deputies for now.
Smalling brigade ruining this thread.
I agree (with the great servant part). It is ok to dislike his game style, to believe he is not good enough or that he does not have the qualities for modern football in a top club. Those are subjective opinions, not facts.
But: He has given his career to United and imo he always does his best. Show him respect because he deserves it.
Tuanzebe is not faster than Lindelöf, Lindelöf is faster than Tuanzebe. Not exactly a great margin, but still. Stats from Lukakus post on social media (IG?) earlier this summer when he hit back at everyone calling him overweight and lazy by leaking test results from preseason. Swedish paper made an article about it. Dalot fastest player, Shaw the slowest.
https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/b5erjv/lukaku-svarar-pa-hanen--lacker-testresultat
I trust that Ole, better than anyone else, knows and can see which players fit into his tactics and which ones have shown and performed on training and during matches that they deserve a place in the team lineup.
When it comes to Lindelof, I think he has been quite right this far, he is today the obvious choice next to Maguire. I also trust that he will replace him when needed, more players need playing time, Lindelof may need to rest or simply because he thinks someone else will perform better.
Right now Lindelöf is the best and a very good alternative, but of course it will not always be so. I hope it takes a long time but a lot can be changed and sometimes it goes faster than you think. Ole does not seem to be afraid to make changes, so I trust that he will do what is necessary.
When it comes to Lindelof, I think he has been quite right this far, he is today the obvious choice next to Maguire. I also trust that he will replace him when needed, more players need playing time, Lindelof may need to rest or simply because he thinks someone else will perform better.
Right now Lindelöf is the best and a very good alternative, but of course it will not always be so. I hope it takes a long time but a lot can be changed and sometimes it goes faster than you think. Ole does not seem to be afraid to make changes, so I trust that he will do what is necessary.
You have to remember there is a human part to it. Lindelöf finaly kinda established himself in this team. Maguire is the big money signing and its a given he have a starting place. Ole can't just give the other one to the young guy without irritating Lindelöf. Axel needs to impress in several games before that can happen. If he does Viktor will know he has to raise his game or it will be the bench. Same goes for the other players.
That was top speed in that particular training session, anyone with a working set of eyes can see who’s faster between Tuanzebe and Lindelof.
Do you not have eyes?
Tuanzebe will get his chances and it hopefully everything goes well. To me it looks as if OGS prioritizes that the 4 at the back plus DDG play around the ball and avoid random long balls, and that the CBs attract pressure before they let go of the ball. How well he does this will be more important than how fast and strong he is, imo. And it is highly likely that those skills will take some time to develop.
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