Due to finances, I reckon we can get away with Smalling for a year or so. He’s a better defender than Lindelöf and Axel for sure, and is fairly consistent. We do need a striker although I really believe Mason is that good so I’m conflicted about that one.Agreed, Lindelöf has never convinced me.
We've got problems everywhere in fairness, McTom is all over the shop, superb one week, shite the next, our formally superb keeper now looks amongst the worst in the Prem but he's going nowhere due to a fat contract.
Haaland would be a step towards at least addressing a CF goalscoring issue we've had since Mou lost his shit and Lukaku decided he hated it here.
But even if we bring in Haaland and he's good enough, as you say, we need probably need a LB and CB to sort the defence, a number 10 and RF to sort the attack and at least 1 CM.
Need fullbacks aswellDue to finances, I reckon we can get away with Smalling for a year or so. He’s a better defender than Lindelöf and Axel for sure, and is fairly consistent. We do need a striker although I really believe Mason is that good so I’m conflicted about that one.
Midfield is of course the area that needs to clearest improvement, with probably 2 starting level players.
Of course, sign a better defender than Smalling, but in the event of not doing that in the summer due to maybe trying to also buy a striker, winger a couple of midfielders etc - then play the better player of the two that we have, and Smalling is better than Lindelöf in my opinion. Replacing Smalling with Lindelöf was not us moving forward as a club in my view. Smalling is still our player, it’s not like I’m advocating we go and sign him from Roma. It’s about making the best of what we have. As I said, by all means, buy a better defender if we can, but until then, Smalling should be replaced in the team by someone better than him not worse.Players can be bought for reasonable sums and there's absolutely no need to bring Smalling back now. Let's move forward as a club and actually sign players who are not only good defenders but also good footballers. Smalling fails miserably at the latter and a club with our financial clout shouldn't accept such limited players going forward.
Absolutely.Need fullbacks aswell
Agree fully Smalling although maligned is a very good defender and also a goal threat. Lindelof is a better passer of the ball but he was waste full today and has been error prone he was not at fault for today's performance but he has not improved the back line. Smalling although ungainly is not as awful as he is perceived.Of course, sign a better defender than Smalling, but in the event of not doing that in the summer due to maybe trying to also buy a striker, winger a couple of midfielders etc - then play the better player of the two that we have, and Smalling is better than Lindelöf in my opinion. Replacing Smalling with Lindelöf was not us moving forward as a club in my view. Smalling is still our player, it’s not like I’m advocating we go and sign him from Roma. It’s about making the best of what we have. As I said, by all means, buy a better defender if we can, but until then, Smalling should be replaced in the team by someone better than him not worse.
I agree Smalling staying would've been more beneficial to the team this season but for some reason Ole decided otherwise which was a very strange decision imo.Of course, sign a better defender than Smalling, but in the event of not doing that in the summer due to maybe trying to also buy a striker, winger a couple of midfielders etc - then play the better player of the two that we have, and Smalling is better than Lindelöf in my opinion. Replacing Smalling with Lindelöf was not us moving forward as a club in my view. Smalling is still our player, it’s not like I’m advocating we go and sign him from Roma. It’s about making the best of what we have. As I said, by all means, buy a better defender if we can, but until then, Smalling should be replaced in the team by someone better than him not worse.
I like what I’ve seen of Todibo, he looks a top prospect. We really need a few centre halves going out the door though before we do any business. I’d have no problem if Smalling was sold, I do have a problem if the big plan is to sell Smalling and replace with Lindelöf.I agree Smalling staying would've been more beneficial to the team this season but for some reason Ole decided otherwise which was a very strange decision imo.
But he's on loan now and we have a opportunity get a sizeable chunk in return from Roma due to his good form. And we really should try and get at least £20m for him. And if possible reinvest that money into signing someone like Todibo from Barcelona who at 19 is showing huge potential and has been likened to a young Varane by well respected french journos and pundits alike.
William Saliba would've been potentially a very good capture and had all the attributes required to reach the top. But sadly for me Arsenal bought him for £30m by agreeing a payment plan over a number of years.
But I think what ole will do is partner Bailly with Maguire once the Ivorian is back to full fitness.
I think Ole was naive in letting Smalling go and partnering Lindelof with Maguire. I don't believe the current partnership is cut out to play the highline without exposing their obvious flaws which brings Bailly back into the equation due to his physical traits which would better suit us against teams who sit back and would allow Maguire to overload in midfield with Bailly's electric pace as a insurance policy.I like what I’ve seen of Todibo, he looks a top prospect. We really need a few centre halves going out the door though before we do any business. I’d have no problem if Smalling was sold, I do have a problem if the big plan is to sell Smalling and replace with Lindelöf.
Bailly is a poor defender, for me, although is perhaps young enough to turn into a player. He’s terrible in the air though and a bit on the rash side. Tbh with you, I think Marcos Rojo gets more shit than he deserves, and of the players here right now, I think he’s better than the rest bar Maguire personally. Not that he’s all that either.
It’s a key position though, and the foundation of all top sides. I don’t think we’ve figured it out. I’d love a Smalling who is better on the ball. Todibo looks to be in that mould, a player like Varane. As I’ve said elsewhere, I’m not sold on Tuanzebe either, I’ve seen little to suggest he’s a potential world class centre half. That said, I of course respect his age for now. I wouldn’t cry if he left, and I think, considering what young English players are going for now, we could get about £25m for him, and with a buy-back clause, that wouldn’t be the worst business.
This is true. We've seen time and again this season that you only really need to pressure or get on top of us for a few minutes and we'll gift over a goal. We have even started literally scoring goals for the opposition without them needing to create chances.Teams don't have to work hard to create chances against Utd. It is one of the reasons why I am wary of the XGA arguments, short periods of pressure can lead to big chances against Utd, you don't have to bombard our back-line for the chance to come. I don't think Lindelof is an impactful defensive player while Maguire has obvious issues with pace and agility on the turn to contend with.
Agree. He was limited on the ball but IMO a better defender than either. Only problem is that Tuanzebe gets shafted then but he's not getting many chances right now either.I'd be bringing Smalling back personally. Miles better defender than Lindelof. Might be worse on the ball but Maguire is decent enough on the ball so would be fine.
Gayle chance
0-1
Longstaff
Hate to say it as well but does AWB have a part in both those chances with poor passes? No doubt about Shaw (you dont need to be THAT far up the pitch at THIS stage of the attack) and also Maguire and Lindelof not being strong enough in the tackle.This two videos pretty much sum them up for me - slow and average.
I seriously can't understand how anyone think either of them is a great CB. And this doesn't even show their flaffing with the ball, and Lindelof's poor heading abilities.
Well said, and that's why we sucked - Maguire should be the one to drop behind for cover and distribute the ball, which is his strength. Lindelof was a disaster since the season started.When United have the lead they are difficult to pass and they move around the ball well. When United push for a goal with the whole team on the other hand, and a midfielder or attacker loses the ball like they are vulnerable for counters.
It was very clear today how they have divided their roles. Maguire push high up to win back the ball to get back possession and Lindelof drop behind for cover.
Our back barring AWB can be so passive at times. Lindelof seems to have a no defending policy or something. Maguire is more dominant but really nothing special. I think Shaw was a good defender pre injury but right now he's too hesitant. All in all we've spent a shit loads on defence and I think we haven't kept a clean sheet in 16 PL games?This two videos pretty much sum them up for me - slow and average.
I seriously can't understand how anyone think either of them is a great CB. And this doesn't even show their flaffing with the ball, and Lindelof's poor heading abilities.
After watching the last few matches I've come to a few conclusions:Either they're both a bit rubbish, or they're rubbish together... Either way can't help but think it's a bit, well, rubbish.
It was Pep who killed the traditional center backs. The complete modern center backs now are usually ball playing center backs, apart from great defence skills must be good with the ball and passing as well. VVD or Ramos is the very definition of a complete modern center back imo.Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like They both have similar play style and were deemed to be ball playing centre backs?
Has that ever worked for anybody besides Barca? two ball playing centre backs.
Nothing? Sure that Maguire isn’t VVD or as good as our past centre back like Stam, Rio & Vidic. But surely you can see that there is not many better centre back out there we can sign. Maguire is basically Lindelof with much more composed on the ball especially when under pressure, able to hold the ball, physically stronger & much better in the air. Not a type of centre back that will get bullied easily. On the other hand, Lindelof is often being targeted by a lot of attackers and can be easily bullied by attackers.A lot of people saying that is Lindelof who’s not up to it but I’ve seen nothing to suggest Maguire is the defender we need.
Both look suspect to me, neither one looks better than the other.
Only element I’m pleased with is the consistency, as in both playing regularly.
I'm not saying Lindelof is better than Maguire, my point is both have clear deficiencies. I agree with your points on Lindelof, but on Maguire his lack of pace and difficulty in turning is a major concern. Lindelof will be targeted by a big lad, and Maguire will be targeted by a nippy, quick player.Nothing? Sure that Maguire isn’t VVD or as good as our past centre back like Stam, Rio & Vidic. But surely you can see that there is not many better centre back out there we can sign. Maguire is basically Lindelof with much more composed on the ball especially when under pressure, able to hold the ball, physically stronger & much better in the air. Not a type of centre back that will get bullied easily. On the other hand, Lindelof is often being targeted by a lot of attackers and can be easily bullied by attackers.
My point is that there is something (not nothing) within Maguire to suggest if he’s a defender that we need. There is nothing in Lindelof you can find to suggest if he’s a defender that we need. Slow defender like Vidic & Hummels have weakness and that’s why they are paired with more mobile or quick centre back not with Lindelof.I'm not saying Lindelof is better than Maguire, my point is both have clear deficiencies. I agree with your points on Lindelof, but on Maguire his lack of pace and difficulty in turning is a major concern. Lindelof will be targeted by a big lad, and Maguire will be targeted by a nippy, quick player.
I know what you’re saying and before we signed Harry I thought he was the answer. What I didn’t realise is how slow and cumbersome he is. When he gets caught out of position or is turned, he’s so slow to get back and looks immobile in my view.My point is that there is something (not nothing) within Maguire to suggest if he’s a defender that we need. There is nothing in Lindelof you can find to suggest if he’s a defender that we need. Slow defender like Vidic & Hummels have weakness and that’s why they are paired with more mobile or quick centre back not with Lindelof.
Being slow alone doesn’t mean he has nothing to be a centre back that we need. What we needed wasn’t only centre back with pace alone, if pace alone is enough, we wouldn’t need to sign him and we could stick with Bailly-Lindelof partnership.I know what you’re saying and before we signed Harry I thought he was the answer. What I didn’t realise is how slow and cumbersome he is. When he gets caught out of position or is turned, he’s so slow to get back and looks immobile in my view.
Maguire is a million miles better in the air and at dealing with physical players. On the ball he starts far more attacks than Lindelof tooA lot of people saying that is Lindelof who’s not up to it but I’ve seen nothing to suggest Maguire is the defender we need.
Both look suspect to me, neither one looks better than the other.
Only element I’m pleased with is the consistency, as in both playing regularly.
