How many games/points dropped before he scraps the Blind at CB idea is the more pertinent question now.
Jones & Blind
- Thread starter Rood
- Start date
I reckon at least 2/3 months, and about 12 dropped points.
For me, any combination with Jones, whether it be rojo, mcnair, or blind seems considerably weaker than a combination including smalling. I just don't know what gaal sees.
Jones is not very good in defending
Still baffles me, the high praise SAF had for Jones. On form, he's a beast. That rarely happens though.
At least from those comments, it looks like Darmian has leapfrogged Valecia into the starting XI. Not sold on Blind as a CB at all, but actually more worried about Jones getting in ahead of Smalling tbh. Good to see LVG might be coming to his senses there.
That's pretty much a given since Darmian has featured heavily on the tour. If LvG were planning on playing Tony, he would've started him to give him for some full speed game time.
If we don't sign a quality centre back we will be in a battle for 3rd and 4th and not the title
Louis Van Shall
Blind-Jones is like an answer to a quiz question of "attacking players aside, what's the least likely centre defence combo you'd want to see"
For one obvious thing, Smalling is better than Jones in all areas bar "brainless bravery", and Blind is not someone you'd want to see against height or pace.
Though lovely on the ball.
For one obvious thing, Smalling is better than Jones in all areas bar "brainless bravery", and Blind is not someone you'd want to see against height or pace.
Though lovely on the ball.
Having watched them against Barça, I'm not too worried. They marshalled Suárez well for the most part and both stepped forward with the ball well enough. For all of Smalling's merits in defence (which are way overblown in comparison to Jones) he's not as good on the ball, an attribute which Van Gaal seems to prioritise. With Schneiderlin and one of Carrick and Schweinsteiger in front of them, I reckon they'll have adequate protection from midfield. There is concern about them being dominated in the air but it is mitigated somewhat by the fact that a) both the starting fullbacks are pretty tall, and b) so is Schneiderlin.
Blind at CB will have opposition managers chomping at the bit to have a go at us this season. I think it could work in our favour in terms of tempting teams away from bus parking and coming at us, giving us a chance to break and play a bit quicker.
I'm not saying Blind is a good CB, he could very well be one of the weakest we ever see in a United shirt, but it could work in our favour.
I'm not saying Blind is a good CB, he could very well be one of the weakest we ever see in a United shirt, but it could work in our favour.
Jones/Blind is the worst centre back combination in the PL's top 10.
Opposition strikers won't be worried in the slightest.
Opposition strikers won't be worried in the slightest.
Just seen that LVG confirmed in the press conference that Blind will start the season as the LCB.
Utterly ridiculous.
Utterly ridiculous.
Stupid call by LVG. He can shove that notion of playing a left-footed CB up where the sun doesn't shine.
It's hard to believe that we've been clamoring for a world-class CB this summer and we may have to face Blind and Jones as our starting pair. When you consider how much Smalling improved last season and that Rojo had several good games playing with him, LVG, if serious, must really be taking the piss.
I don't think it will take long at all for Blind to be exposed as a CB. To be fair, he played well during the tour but we haven't faced a team with size. Even Barcelona tends to be physically smaller as a team. When Blind is in against clubs like Stoke, West Ham, Southampton, etc. he will get brutalized in the air and on set pieces. This isn't even talking about the better clubs.
I can understanding playing Blind in the late stages of a game or as a last resort but to play him with any regularity in that spot would be insane IMO. As it is, I don't even think Blind is good enough as a LB. He is a very intelligent player and defends well but he is too small and too slow to play on the backline. I would only want him playing in midfield.
Jones's problem is that he needs a solid CB to play next to. At the moment, Smalling is our best option.
I don't think it will take long at all for Blind to be exposed as a CB. To be fair, he played well during the tour but we haven't faced a team with size. Even Barcelona tends to be physically smaller as a team. When Blind is in against clubs like Stoke, West Ham, Southampton, etc. he will get brutalized in the air and on set pieces. This isn't even talking about the better clubs.
I can understanding playing Blind in the late stages of a game or as a last resort but to play him with any regularity in that spot would be insane IMO. As it is, I don't even think Blind is good enough as a LB. He is a very intelligent player and defends well but he is too small and too slow to play on the backline. I would only want him playing in midfield.
Jones's problem is that he needs a solid CB to play next to. At the moment, Smalling is our best option.
Van Gaal is really starting to piss me off. Smalling is our best CB, it is obvious. Sure, Jones can have hid good games but he is not as consistent as Smalling. If Van Gaal starts the season with Jones and Blind as our starting CB pair then it will cost us points. It's just utterly bizarre how stupid he is being.
Blind passed it relatively well, but he could have given away two pens. He's not used to dealing with anything in the box. I understand Smalling is awkward, but with the players we've bought, we don't have to see him bombing forward anyway. Just tell him to keep it simple. Blind is a liability.
Valencia was injured for the first couple games.
I cant understand why managers keep playing players out of position. SAF did it and so does LVG. Its one thing moving a player around because he's not doing well in his natural role (Pirlo style) or because he's growing old however moving him around out for Lulz is ridiculous. If we need a CB than we buy a CB.
Only lovely on the ball when he's got plenty of time, otherwise once he gets hassled, he either gets muscled off the ball or misplases his pass. We're asking for trouble having him play there against Kane, who is faster b and stronger than him.
Louis needs to watch Rio and Vidic together to see what an effective CB partnership looks like.....
Blind and Jones weren't actually an "awful" partnership, the goals came from both of them having nobody to mark as ibrahimovic dropped deep. That meant they decided to close down the midfielders and left a gaping hole that somebody made a run into.
If they just decided to hold their positions and not get sucked in (decisions/positioning errors) it wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad. Apart from those 2 sloppy goals we didn't really give them any other chances.
If they just decided to hold their positions and not get sucked in (decisions/positioning errors) it wouldn't have been anywhere near as bad. Apart from those 2 sloppy goals we didn't really give them any other chances.
Jones praise was mainly based on that he was young, burst through and he was highly rated. He showed some good attributes, he was tenacious, strong and good 1 on 1 but he hasn't improved since his time here if anything he's got worse. He doesn't look to establish himself and seems content to just be a squad player for us. He's had some good runs in the side but I don't think he has a long-term future here and I don't want to see him as a starter this season.
Despite being quite strong, he's too easily bullied or too rash in his defending. Always trying to get to the ball first when it's not necessary, it gives away silly free-kicks/penalties or he gets dragged out of position. His reading of the game leaves alot to be desired as well, he just doesn't seem a natural defender who can organise a back line. Notably in the past year, he's been much easier to beat one on one and in the air, even Chellini managed to skim him for England and it's happened a few times for United.
He should be kept as back-up because he's a decent enough player to provide cover when there is injuries but he should be nowhere near the starting 11 when everyone is fit.
Despite being quite strong, he's too easily bullied or too rash in his defending. Always trying to get to the ball first when it's not necessary, it gives away silly free-kicks/penalties or he gets dragged out of position. His reading of the game leaves alot to be desired as well, he just doesn't seem a natural defender who can organise a back line. Notably in the past year, he's been much easier to beat one on one and in the air, even Chellini managed to skim him for England and it's happened a few times for United.
He should be kept as back-up because he's a decent enough player to provide cover when there is injuries but he should be nowhere near the starting 11 when everyone is fit.
Jones is the better footballer; his control, passing and vision is an improvement on Smalling, hence LVG's preference for him in preseason.
I'm guessing it would've been Jones/Rojo if not for Rojo's apparent inability to renew a passport.
The only worse vaguely realistic option than Jones/Blind is Carrick/Blind. Smalling is our best defender and we needed to buy him a partner. I don't understand this at all.
The only worse vaguely realistic option than Jones/Blind is Carrick/Blind. Smalling is our best defender and we needed to buy him a partner. I don't understand this at all.
If we cannot get another CB, I would be content with what we have. Smalling/Jones/Rojo/Blind/Evans.
The only worry is injury. Jones and Evans seem so injury prone.
But we will get a CB. I think it will be Stones.
EDIT: I forgot McNair
The only worry is injury. Jones and Evans seem so injury prone.
But we will get a CB. I think it will be Stones.
EDIT: I forgot McNair
We will finish outside the top 4 with this CB partnership and with our current attacking set up. LVG has lost it.
That was Mike Smalling not Chris.
I would much rather see Smalling and Jones play together for the first few games until Rojo is back fit (to start over Jones) if LvG really has to have his left-footer, though I don't rate Rojo any higher than Jones... Just he fits the left-foot criteria. If Chris Smalling is third choice Captain, then I don't see why Jones has been playing a bit more in pre-season, at least it seemed that way.
Obviously, I hope Blind proves us all wrong, but LvG has at times said we lack height at the back, so I find it bizarre that he's been opting for two players who are barely 6ft as his preferred CB pairing in pre-season.
My opinion on how our defence should line up is as follows:
1st Choice: Darmian : Smalling : New CB : Shaw
2nd Choice: Valencia : Jones : Rojo : Blind
Kids: McNair : Blackett
McNair to cover RB and RCB if we're in crisis, with Blackett to do the same for the left side.
P.S. Assuming Rafael and Evans are sold.
Obviously, I hope Blind proves us all wrong, but LvG has at times said we lack height at the back, so I find it bizarre that he's been opting for two players who are barely 6ft as his preferred CB pairing in pre-season.
My opinion on how our defence should line up is as follows:
1st Choice: Darmian : Smalling : New CB : Shaw
2nd Choice: Valencia : Jones : Rojo : Blind
Kids: McNair : Blackett
McNair to cover RB and RCB if we're in crisis, with Blackett to do the same for the left side.
P.S. Assuming Rafael and Evans are sold.
I wanted to give LVG the benefit of the doubt because to me, nobody should be stupid enough to think that Blind / Jones is a good enough defence and certainly not good enough to keep Smalling on the bench. But it looks like LVG really believes that Jones is our best bet... We should be very scared.
Because obviously being left footed is more important than actually being able to play the position. Ffs if he really wants a LCB just play fecking Rojo! Be massively sceptical of LvG if he goes through with this.
I reckon he will play Rojo, it's just that he wasn't at the tour so Blind had to play there instead.
I hope it's Rojo - Smalling and not Rojo - Jones.
I know that the one benefit of Blind playing at CB is that we have a very good ball-playing player there. Out of Smalling, Jones, Evans, Rojo, McNair and Blind - the latter is definitely the best at passing. There was one moment against PSG where he played a delicious ball over the top from his CB position to Memphis/Rooney. It's always good to see an attack start from nothing. To be fair, I haven't really watched any full games of the tour really so I can't really give a valid opinion but from the negativity about it, I'm assuming that he didn't overly impress there? (Apart from one game where I remember reading that he played very well there - may have been against Barca).
I'm bemused that Jones is starting ahead of Smalling - especially given LVG stated that Smalling is the third captain. Having that type of tag suggests to me that he should be playing often. Fletcher was second captain last season and then once LVG noticed that he wasn't starting much, Carrick (?) became the second captain I believe.
Really hoping that when the season starts we see Smalling-Jones, if not Smalling-Blind. I'm sure that when Rojo returns and gets some match fitness he'll be playing at LCB.
I'm bemused that Jones is starting ahead of Smalling - especially given LVG stated that Smalling is the third captain. Having that type of tag suggests to me that he should be playing often. Fletcher was second captain last season and then once LVG noticed that he wasn't starting much, Carrick (?) became the second captain I believe.
Really hoping that when the season starts we see Smalling-Jones, if not Smalling-Blind. I'm sure that when Rojo returns and gets some match fitness he'll be playing at LCB.
I don't think Blind is even the problem. He's done okay, not as good as a new CB coming in but he hasnt had a lot of problems individually. Jones on the other hand has been sleeping
This. At least play Smalling with blind if you want to experiment.
jones and smalling did well in the run of games they played together. another slow start and early dropped points again? same shit different day stuff really. LvG , for all his bluster , will be under pressure from the fans. a left footed cb is fine if he's a very good cb. blind isn't , rojo is ok not very good.