2
The lad suddenly remembered that he's actually one of our quickest players and that he can actually bully players with his frame. That's the thing with Dalot, it's all in his head. I remember him looking like one of the best RBs in the league under Ten Hag then like a league one player the next. He has the tools, he needs to start using them.
His pace and power are his only strengths, he should have been using them much more over the years, just burst to the byline and cut back to the penalty spot.The lad suddenly remembered that he's actually one of our quickest players and that he can actually bully players with his frame. That's the thing with Dalot, it's all in his head. I remember him looking like one of the best RBs in the league under Ten Hag then like a league one player the next. He has the tools, he needs to start using them.
What? Always on the front foot? He is a body that carries little to no threat since he has no knack of trying to take anybody on. He had an alright game today and Dorgu looked really rough and raw in the last few weeks but that doesn't make Dalot a better player. He looked good when we pressured them for a while as a team - apart from that, it was always backpassing.The reason he's better than Dorgu for me is he has intensity and is always on the front foot. He is a lot more proactive, and has a more refined game.
Dorgu can in theory, build on these things and do the same but he shouldn't be building them here. I'd rather loan Dorgu next season and bring in a proper LWB which Dalot can be a back-up to.
Agree, but isn't that one of the two we got a goal from? So worked out for the best in the end.Solid performance from him - there was one moment where I felt he should have played Mbeumo in earlier, and was fouled - otherwise felt he had a good game.
Compared to Dorgu he's far more on the front foot.What? Always on the front foot? He is a body that carries little to no threat since he has no knack of trying to take anybody on. He had an alright game today and Dorgu looked really rough and raw in the last few weeks but that doesn't make Dalot a better player. He looked good when we pressured them for a while as a team - apart from that, it was always backpassing.
Guess we understand different things when using this term. How would you define it? What makes somebody to be on the front foot?Compared to Dorgu he's far more on the front foot.
Guess we understand different things when using this term. How would you define it? What makes somebody to be on the front foot?
Interesting perspective. Wouldn't subscribe to any of that, although I think, yesterday a few of those things were there. For me, being on the front foot solely means being ready to challenge opponents, either defensively or attackingly and I think, this is something that isn't Dalots strong suit at all. But each to their own I guess.He's alert a lot more to second balls and passes that may come his way. He's not reactive to the game but proactive in making things happen. And he takes on players more too. He engages better defensively and carries the ball better.
The best game of his lifeHis best game this season.
Its relative to Dorgu rather than at a standalone level. We still need to improve on Dalot because he technically isn't good enough but I think he does rush the game (in both a good and bad way).Interesting perspective. Wouldn't subscribe to any of that, although I think, yesterday a few of those things were there. For me, being on the front foot solely means being ready to challenge opponents, either defensively or attackingly and I think, this is something that isn't Dalots strong suit at all. But each to their own I guess.
Feels like he's a type of player that needs to be given a clear direction, and he'll surprise you with what he can do.He has the ability to leave players for dead, he should do more of it.
Why was he even taken off? He’s really fit and was doing well. I’d rather have him see out the game than bringing on Dorgu when we’re 1-0 up. Then you can always think about Wolves later.
Amorim has terrible instincts.
Dalot actually used to be good at that. There was good reason that he was the one that ETH had inverting into midfield in 23/24, as he was able to receive the ball under pressure, turn and get us moving forward. He also used to be good at getting on the ball in his normal position out on the right, then splitting the oppositions first line of defence with his diagonal passes into a central midfielder or striker which would instantly get us on the front foot. For a while there he was often our best defender at playing out from the back.For some reason he’s been told he can pass and control the ball well by the looks of it as he tries to get involved when he has no business doing so.
Dalot actually used to be good at that. There was good reason that he was the one that ETH had inverting into midfield in 23/24, as he was able to receive the ball under pressure, turn and get us moving forward. He also used to be good at getting on the ball in his normal position out on the right, then splitting the oppositions first line of defence with his diagonal passes into a central midfielder or striker which would instantly get us on the front foot. For a while there he was often our best defender at playing out from the back.
Both aspects seem to have declined quite a lot. The passing is perhaps because he's been mostly on the left (I remember one game earlier this season where his passing was suddenly really good again, and perhaps coincidentally it was one of the few games he's had on the right this season), but he's definitely not as good under pressure as he used to be. Not sure if it's confidence or perhaps he's lost some agility.
He's been playing fairly well lately. One of our best players against Crystal Palace, and while he wasn't as good today he was still much better than he was earlier this season. Deserves to continue being first choice over Dorgu, who has been terrible for the last two or three months (bar two good games directly before the international break).
His technical and physical drop off has been so disappointing because as you hinted, he really was performing at a good all around standard in that breakout year. I hope it's just fatigued/confidence but at this point after 18 months of mostly average to below average form, I'm not too confident he can return to that level. Being constantly overplayed and out of position must have done a number on him.
He'll be 27 by the end of the season.
I'm struggling to think of any player that was previously bang average that suddenly turned into anything else at that age.
We should have moved on from him back when Solskjaer identified him as not United quality and packed him off on loan. He's had literally one good season in a red shirt, and even that wasn't that impressive.
A lot of people would say that's a player's prime age. I'm not not of the opinion that McTominay should have stayed at the club but that's one example there. Besides, my point wasn't about Dalot 'turn into anything else' but return to the previous form (technical and physical) that he had already showed for over a season.
Yeah, and he's nowhere near the quality we need when he should be in or entering his prime.
