Billy Blaggs
Flacco of the Blaggs tribe
Funnly enough I watched the 99 final today. That goal they scored which of the three would have saved it?
De Gea struggled in his first season because he was a promising 20/21 year old goalkeeper coming from Spain. He quickly adapted and the next season he was in the team of the year and won the title with us having a great year. Basically every year after that was our POTY. He's been excellent in the air for years too, it's only his recent drop in form. Which is fine. Happens. Players occasionally have below par seasons, no surprise exactly after carrying us for years.For me the problem is probably a lack of emphasis from the coaches to improve that side of Dave's game and building a squad that likes to build from the back.
De Gea made a lot of mistakes under Fergie with crosses coming in the early years and that aspect was clearly worked on.
Now I don't know what happens at Carrington but my best guess is I don't think coaches so far have put an emphasis on improving that side of his game.
Less that time is not so kind, more that our fans are not so kind. One bad season after a string of very good to outstanding ones and some decide to use him for piniata practice.Time is not so kind to our Dave. A mere 3 months later, the no. 1 spot must be slipping through his hand.
Maybe they try, but he's a stubborn little shit? Probably not, but it's bizarre how he's started to stagnate a little.For me the problem is probably a lack of emphasis from the coaches to improve that side of Dave's game and building a squad that likes to build from the back.
De Gea made a lot of mistakes under Fergie with crosses coming in the early years and that aspect was clearly worked on.
Now I don't know what happens at Carrington but my best guess is I don't think coaches so far have put an emphasis on improving that side of his game.
But remember that while De Gea is a fantastic line keeper, that is not the kind of keeper LvG favoured, and he got Romero as his successor with the premise that De Gea would leave to Real, and didn't seem too worried about that at the time. So apparently LvG/Hoek weren't too enthusiastic about his progress into a more multifaceted goalkeeper. (Of course LvG had bad judgement in goal keepers ever since VDS, and De Gea would continue after that to save his ass many times, to repeatedly win player of the year award, but that's a different story.)He made huge improvements under LvG with Hoek, but Mourinho brought in Emilio Alverez who appears to he De Gea's best mate.
The lack of patience, respect or loyalty being shown towards De Gea from some posters actually has me baffled. I mean fair criticism is perfectly fine (and warranted in this case given he has had a relatively poor season) and even unfair criticism is inevitable when poor form lasts for long enough but Christ it didn't take long for the revisionism to start in this case.The revisionism in this thread is hilarious of late. Hes been here longer than Van der Sar was, as long as Schmeichel. In his 8 years, hes won the POTY 4 times. For a goalkeeper, for any player, that's ridiculous. Hes been officially recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, IMO hes been the best in the world for 4-5 years. Put in performances weve never seen from goalkeepers, not even schmeichel or Van der sar had that level of consistency. I loved VDS, but he did have his share of flaps and errors that he made as well. Happens to everyone. De Gea is unfairly treated because hes unfortunately been through our shit period with awful defenders in front of him and only had Fergie for one year.
More than anything, despite regularly playing behind Smalling/Jones/whoever, we've consistently been among the best in the league every year defensively. Compare that to Schmeichel having Bruce, Pallister, Stam, etc or VDS having Rio and Vidic, and the whole "organizing the defence" argument looks more and more like a joke. Despite all this, we're always up there with the fewest conceded apart from this year. So yeah, spare me the bullshit of De Gea not being on their level. He is arguably as good if not better than any goalkeeper we've ever had. It's a hard comparison to make, but to suggest he isnt there because of a below par run of form is laughable.
I think De Gea is brilliant, but that this is one of his weak points - it's the other way round, he makes it harder for Smalling etc. just like the midfield with Herrera and Pogba and such makes it harder for the defense. Smalling is on the same level as VVD, but United defenders have a harder time with a goalkeeper staying on his line as an individual performer, leaving so much space, especially with the runners which the midfield allow to break through. Yet they get the blame when things go wrong.More than anything, despite regularly playing behind Smalling/Jones/whoever, we've consistently been among the best in the league every year defensively. Compare that to Schmeichel having Bruce, Pallister, Stam, etc or VDS having Rio and Vidic, and the whole "organizing the defence" argument looks more and more like a joke.
Smalling is a 75 million quid defender? since when?I think De Gea is brilliant, but that this is one of his weak points - it's the other way round, he makes it harder for Smalling etc. just like the midfield with Herrera and Pogba and such makes it harder for the defense. Smalling is on the same level as VVD, but United defenders have a harder time with a goalkeeper staying on his line as an individual performer, leaving so much space, especially with the runners which the midfield allow to break through. Yet they get the blame when things go wrong.
Yeah, I remember at the time that LvG wasn't 100% taken by De Gea (and he supposedly didn't want Neuer at Bayern).But remember that while De Gea is a fantastic line keeper, that is not the kind of keeper LvG favoured, and he got Romero as his successor with the premise that De Gea would leave to Real, and didn't seem too worried about that at the time. So apparently LvG/Hoek weren't too enthusiastic about his progress into a more multifaceted goalkeeper. (Of course LvG had bad judgement in goal keepers ever since VDS, and De Gea would continue after that to save his ass many times, to repeatedly win player of the year award, but that's a different story.)
Hes just not as good as schmeichel. Being the best player in a team coming anywhere from 4th to 7th doesn't really carry much weight really.The revisionism in this thread is hilarious of late. Hes been here longer than Van der Sar was, as long as Schmeichel. In his 8 years, hes won the POTY 4 times. For a goalkeeper, for any player, that's ridiculous. Hes been officially recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, IMO hes been the best in the world for 4-5 years. Put in performances weve never seen from goalkeepers, not even schmeichel or Van der sar had that level of consistency. I loved VDS, but he did have his share of flaps and errors that he made as well. Happens to everyone. De Gea is unfairly treated because hes unfortunately been through our shit period with awful defenders in front of him and only had Fergie for one year.
More than anything, despite regularly playing behind Smalling/Jones/whoever, we've consistently been among the best in the league every year defensively. Compare that to Schmeichel having Bruce, Pallister, Stam, etc or VDS having Rio and Vidic, and the whole "organizing the defence" argument looks more and more like a joke. Despite all this, we're always up there with the fewest conceded apart from this year. So yeah, spare me the bullshit of De Gea not being on their level. He is arguably as good if not better than any goalkeeper we've ever had. It's a hard comparison to make, but to suggest he isnt there because of a below par run of form is laughable.
I admit it, I really like Smalling. Strong, authoritative, calm, fast, basic but knows his limitations, when he gets the ball, gives it to a more creative player or better passer. Dangerous air presence at corners and advanced free kicks. Just like VVD. Only VVD plays in a better operating team. And Liverpool is "smaller". If VVD has a lesser game, it's one of those things, and the fans argue he'll be the usual force next game and people forget. But if Smalling is involved in a goal by the opposition, he has been "found out" and "always been shit". I don't consider this necessarily a bad thing, it just means United is the bigger club with the bigger expectations and more critical fans.Smalling is a 75 million quid defender? since when?
Derailing the thread somewhat by bringing this post back but it was a great watch. Speed of the play, how open it was, the atmosphere. Schmeichel was amazing in that game, the force of his personality was such a part of his play, something Dave can never match.Schmeichel was the best IMO. The way he commanded his area was incredible. The Newcastle game in 1996 was something else. The starfish save that he used to pull of at times was amazing.
Spot onDerailing the thread somewhat by bringing this post back but it was a great watch. Speed of the play, how open it was, the atmosphere. Schmeichel was amazing in that game, the force of his personality was such a part of his play, something Dave can never match.
Also a few other things from those highlights, how great Keane was, the deftness of Cole's link up play(always frustrated that we never got a great angle of that dragback he pulled off before setting up Phil for the cross to Eric, a fantastic piece of skill) and as a negative how slow Bruce was. I loved Bruce and Pallister but we could never have won a CL with those 2 as the CB pairing. Bruce by that stage was too much of a liability against the more skilled and sophisticated play on the continent at the time, a monster against long ball domestic teams though.
Despite that, we've been pretty shit at defensive football, and we allow a hell of a lot of shots on target, so I don't believe that is a mark against De Gea, as he's been required to win us points on many occasions.Hes just not as good as schmeichel. Being the best player in a team coming anywhere from 4th to 7th doesn't really carry much weight really.
Plus schmeichrl played in a team that attacked. In thr past 5 or 6 years we've played some turged defensive football. That helps with the defensive record.
Not saying hes not been great but schmeichel for me was better.
This is Schmeichel. But it also reminds me of an interview with a defender, Koeman if I remember correctly when he was still a player, about what type of goalkeeper defenders like. For defenders, that "force of personality" or alpha-goalkeeper is also blundly said often the raving lunatic which almost broke your neck last game while barging into a cross ball, or shouts at defenders each time the opposition had a chance even if it was his own fault. Defenders like the calming, "boring" personalities in goal where they know exactly what they are going to do.Schmeichel was amazing in that game, the force of his personality was such a part of his play, something Dave can never match.
That is true. Schmeichel did make a lot of mistakes over the years that Dave would not make. Away to Bayern in the last minute coming to take a long throw he was never going to get near comes to mind. He was a big game player though, not just at Utd but in international football as well and in a Utd team littered with strong personalities he was a good fit. Ince, Keane, Bruce, Hughes, Robson, Cantona and Schmeichel, testosterone levels at dangerous levels thereThis is Schmeichel. But it also reminds me of an interview with a defender, Koeman if I remember correctly when he was still a player, about what type of goalkeeper defenders like. For defenders, that "force of personality" or alpha-goalkeeper is also blundly said often the raving lunatic which almost broke your neck last game while barging into a cross ball, or shouts at defenders each time the opposition had a chance even if it was his own fault. Defenders like the calming, "boring" personalities in goal where they know exactly what they are going to do.
Never said he isn't world class.Less that time is not so kind, more that our fans are not so kind. One bad season after a string of very good to outstanding ones and some decide to use him for piniata practice.
Your profile states your age as being 24, you weren't even born when we signed Schmeichel or when Edwin won the European Cup with Ajax in 95.De Gea
Schmeichel
VDS
You guys have absolutely lost the plot. The revisionism that I am seeing here is off the charts. Get your acts together folks.
This is exactly how I see it and rate them as well.Van der Sar > Schmeichel >>> De Gea.
VDS - just so calm, organised his defence so well, brilliant positioning, commanded his area, good shot stopper.
Schmeichel - organised his defence, commanded his are, great at 1 on 1s, made himself big when shot stopping, organised his defence.
DDG - probably the best pure shot stopper ever. Can't really do anything else, though.
DDG has nowhere near the all-rounded game of VDS or Schmeichel and therefore can never be as good as them.
You can really tell the age demographic of this forum from the replies in here or the favourite player thread. It's a real shame that most of you never saw the great players of the past, you would quickly realise just how poor the last few years really have been. None of this current squad would have made the teams from 10 or 20 years ago.
Yeah but he said revisionism mate so hes probably right. You've just lost the plot.Your profile states your age as being 24, you weren't even born when we signed Schmeichel or when Edwin won the European Cup with Ajax in 95.
Nah..Yeah but he said revisionism mate so hes probably right. You've just lost the plot.
The strange thing was, that year (his last ever season at the age of 40) was arguably his best ever season. Probably the only season he was truly the best goalkeeper in the world. The rest of his time he was 'only' in the top three or so (in an era that had much stronger competition than De Gea has had where it's basically been him and Neuer for most of it).How was this a question?
Schmeichel and VDS did everything DDG does + more.
A lot of people used the reflex argument for DDG but tend to forget just how good VDS was at reflexes. This is at 40 years of age.
Insanely good. That rushing out to stop Anelka near the corner flag at 2:55
What the hell is this supposed to mean mr ridiculous. The only one who needs to get their act together is you. It’s not losing the plot when you prefer VDS or Schmeichel. They all not the same type of goalkeeper. All have a bit of different traits, so people would prefer one to the other. So how is that ridiculous, ridiculous?De Gea
Schmeichel
VDS
You guys have absolutely lost the plot. The revisionism that I am seeing here is off the charts. Get your acts together folks.
Schmeichel / VDS vs legends like Shearer, Henry ,Van Persie, Drogba, Owen , Fowler ,Suarez, Ian Wright , Bergkamp, Les Ferdinand, Hasselbaink etcThe revisionism in this thread is hilarious of late. Hes been here longer than Van der Sar was, as long as Schmeichel. In his 8 years, hes won the POTY 4 times. For a goalkeeper, for any player, that's ridiculous. Hes been officially recognized as the best goalkeeper in the world, IMO hes been the best in the world for 4-5 years. Put in performances weve never seen from goalkeepers, not even schmeichel or Van der sar had that level of consistency. I loved VDS, but he did have his share of flaps and errors that he made as well. Happens to everyone. De Gea is unfairly treated because hes unfortunately been through our shit period with awful defenders in front of him and only had Fergie for one year.
More than anything, despite regularly playing behind Smalling/Jones/whoever, we've consistently been among the best in the league every year defensively. Compare that to Schmeichel having Bruce, Pallister, Stam, etc or VDS having Rio and Vidic, and the whole "organizing the defence" argument looks more and more like a joke. Despite all this, we're always up there with the fewest conceded apart from this year. So yeah, spare me the bullshit of De Gea not being on their level. He is arguably as good if not better than any goalkeeper we've ever had. It's a hard comparison to make, but to suggest he isnt there because of a below par run of form is laughable.