Pleasantly surprised so far but will reserve judgement for a good few more games.
Surprise at Blind playing well at centre half
- Thread starter TwoSheds
- Start date
He's basically Jonny Evans but better on the ball. Not fast, not strong or good in the air but Evans managed to forge a decent career here as a CB for many years. We'll see how it goes though - I still think it will massively flop.
He did this low driven pass into one of our forwards' feet in the first half against Villa. It was a thing if beauty.
It put is right on the front foot and split open a well organized Villa side.
Time will tell if he can deal with the Giants and speed freaks though. I still think Rojo will be Smalling's main partner.
It put is right on the front foot and split open a well organized Villa side.
Time will tell if he can deal with the Giants and speed freaks though. I still think Rojo will be Smalling's main partner.
He did it twice both to januzaj
There is also no guarantee that otamendi if he comes will adapt to the PL quickly. Or even Ramos. This is a moot pointWhile there is no guarantee that he will be crap when we face the likes of Chelsea or City, there are no guarantees on a good performance too
Lolz. True. What I meant was his performances against Spurs or Villa might not give us an indication of what might happen when he faces City or Chelsea.
Because he was neither horribly out of depth nor excellent in the 2 games.
Don't think he can cope with the likes of Aguero and an interested Lukaku. Then again, don't think many can cope with Aguero
People are forgetting that he's not going to be up against Aguero or Lukaku 1vs1 most the time. He'll have Smalling alongside him in addition to the protection of a much more beefed out midfield. This isnt the NBA.
I've missed the last two games due to various reasons. Going to OT tomorrow so will have a better idea on his performances at CB. For those who have seen us play, how have his performances been?
Yeah I think Smalling also doesn't seem to have a great time against Aguero. The movement and acceleration is too much, so you can't man mark him or keep him in sight. You just have to cut off all the service to him.
I might be wrong but wiki suggests he was a LB who was converted to a DM.
To be fair, he'd always been a defender to my knowledge anyway, who then showed he could play in midfield too. I may hae it the wrong way round, but he didn't start playing in defence here I'm sure. He has his flaws, but he has enough positives that I'm open to the experiment, especially with Mike alongside him to be his older brother basically and beat up anyone who does manage to beat him up.
From a physical perspective, Mike and Rojo would probably be our best partnership, as Rojo is also strong, rapid, and good on the ball too. The only problem is that he and Jones share only a handful of brain cells between them.
From a physical perspective, Mike and Rojo would probably be our best partnership, as Rojo is also strong, rapid, and good on the ball too. The only problem is that he and Jones share only a handful of brain cells between them.
Lovely stuff
He played at CB a lot for Ajax too. He's really versatile. I think he should be applauded for his performances so far. He kept Kane quiet and dealt admirably with the 'pace and power' of Villa's forwards.
Let's see how he develops and fares against better strikers. But so far so good, to my own surprise. Maybe LVG knows a thing or two about football after all
Not to mention Agbonlahor - who is one of the quickest players in the league.
Don't most defenders get 'found out' against top strikers every now and then? If so, is it a fair standard on which to judge Blind?
I mean Vidic had a few mares against Torres but we didn't suddenly decide he was shit because of it, did we?
I mean Vidic had a few mares against Torres but we didn't suddenly decide he was shit because of it, did we?
we're yet to see him tested really which pays testament to the defensive solidity of the team
He won't be protected by the homegrown plot shield though
I agree, this is the PL. Unfortunately things like physicality and pace are huge factors in this league. There are players and teams out there who are flat track bullies. Will be interesting to see how he copes with that. TBH though with regards to pace, Hummels is also someone who lacks this, and Mertz, but they both compensate with size and strength I guess.
I like Blind though, think he is a very good player, but could he handle a Costa (strength and pace) Aguero (pace and quite strong too) Benteke (strength and ariel ability) these will be the tests. Although of course you would expect Smalling (who can handle all of that) to help him out.
That he's a versatile, technically adept footballer isn't in question. Whether he's the long-term solution to the CB conundrum remains to be seen. I think most people believed we needed and would have brought in a new CB by this stage.
Looks like that may not now happen. Given the alternatives, I hope that Blind continues to develop and Smalling stays fit.
Looks like that may not now happen. Given the alternatives, I hope that Blind continues to develop and Smalling stays fit.
I am a bit torn on this.
So far I think he is doing well and there are examples of other DM's converting to center backs, like Mascherano (174cm/5' 8¨) and actually Daley's dad Danny(176cm/5'9¨) both of which have been very successful on the basis of intelligence and positioning instead of shear physical attributes. I think Daley has these 2 characteristics but the premier league is known for it's physicality as others have pointed out.
It's about the whole team defense though including the pressing of the strikers and the coverage of the midfield and we have only had 2 games but I feel more confident in the defense we have now including him than the one we had last year without him in the central position.
So far I think he is doing well and there are examples of other DM's converting to center backs, like Mascherano (174cm/5' 8¨) and actually Daley's dad Danny(176cm/5'9¨) both of which have been very successful on the basis of intelligence and positioning instead of shear physical attributes. I think Daley has these 2 characteristics but the premier league is known for it's physicality as others have pointed out.
It's about the whole team defense though including the pressing of the strikers and the coverage of the midfield and we have only had 2 games but I feel more confident in the defense we have now including him than the one we had last year without him in the central position.
Ah, so he's actually taller than his Dad, that's reassuring. Anyone remember who partnered Danny Blind in defense for Ajax? I think it may have been Frank De Boer, not exactly a physical beast himself.
Still very worried about his aerial ability - which isn't a problem when you've got Smalling next to you - but when he's partnered with any other of our CB's (none of which are great... or even good in the air) then there could be some issues.
I like that he is so composed on the ball as well - not quite Schweinsteiger level yet but then he is much younger
It was Frank de Boer, yes and he was the same size as Daley(180cm/5'11¨). Coincidentally Frank started out a LB before being moved to CB ....by van Gaal.
saw him play for Ajax v PSV in the CB position. he got absolutely beaten physically in a challenge for a bouncing ball prior to PSV scoring.
I like Blind a lot, but he's not a CB for me, at least not long term. He doesnt seem that strong arially or physically, which like it or not are crucial for the English game
I like Blind a lot, but he's not a CB for me, at least not long term. He doesnt seem that strong arially or physically, which like it or not are crucial for the English game
I personally don't like the comparison with Mascherano because it's very different leagues. Had Mascherano done it in England as a CB I think it would be different but he didn't. Playing CB in a league that's technically better but not as fast or physical means his lack of height isn't exposed as much. Let's also not forget that Barca enjoy far more possession than we do so aren't under the cosh like we sometimes are.
The other difference in my eyes is that Mascherano is actually a physically strong player with a bit more pace. However I do think Blind is a better passer of the ball.
Time will tell if he's going to be a success. Maybe long term LVG doesn't see him as a CB anyway? Maybe he has plans to bring Rojo in or Jones? But it's been a very good and encouraging start for him. I certainly think he's eased some of our fears so far.
The other difference in my eyes is that Mascherano is actually a physically strong player with a bit more pace. However I do think Blind is a better passer of the ball.
Time will tell if he's going to be a success. Maybe long term LVG doesn't see him as a CB anyway? Maybe he has plans to bring Rojo in or Jones? But it's been a very good and encouraging start for him. I certainly think he's eased some of our fears so far.
It's just so cliched on how English football is viewed. You couldn't make up that post
It's not a cliche, it's a fact, pace and power are the two predominant factors in the PL.Which explains why players like Zaha make a mockery of the league.
Maybe but I am not arguing it as a pro or con, just like when it was said the English league is lagging behind due to certain mentalities, it's not about personal preference, simply about what we face in this league and how we have to equip the team to deal with those obstacles.
You can really see the benefit of him when teams are pressing us and he calmly brings the ball out and plays a strong pass. For me, a huge aspect of playing good football is knowing when and where your team mates want it. Daley is competent left back and CM, he knows when not to play the ball.
Plenty of physical defenders concede a lot of goals because of poor positioning, a lack of intelligence or even just physically by an opponent forward (Nani vs Ivanovic, Aguero vs plenty of CB's). If Blind concedes less goals compared to real physical CB's because of more intelligence and a better positioning, then overall it's a contribution to the team and not necessarily a liability.
Hit the nail on the head for me.
Smalling will sit on top of them and blind can sweep up any left overs.
If one is up against aguero then the other is going to be up against silva or someone like that anyway (who isn't particularly fast or strong but manages).
I'd probably play rojo but i'd be perfectly happy with blind from what i've seen so far.
He's been great so far but he will get found out eventually, he certainly shouldn't be considered as a long term option for the position.
He'll be fine there most games, him going up against Aguero/Costa is a scary thought though. It helps that we finally have two really good fullbacks and that Smalling is starting to live up to his early promise. I just hope we can keep the fullbacks and Smalling fit.
He could easily do well on the whole in that role (rhyme intended, actually). Provided that our defence as such do well. He's a system player, if you will. At least in this context. I personally like him as a player generally too - he's got that understated/smart thing going. But as a CB he's clearly a system player.
If the system works, he'll do just fine. If he ever gets exposed against a certain kind of player, he'll look like he's utterly out of his depth, though. He'll be like Yoda stripped of the force.
If the system works, he'll do just fine. If he ever gets exposed against a certain kind of player, he'll look like he's utterly out of his depth, though. He'll be like Yoda stripped of the force.
He broke trough as a rightback, played mostly as a leftback afterwards but also played CB and in his last season as CDM. In his youth days he was shoved around alot aswell so he's used to those 3 positions, they aren't new to him.
The panic that affected us regularly through the centre of defence and just in front last season has been mercifully absent thus far this season. Early days but Blind has been as big a contributor to this as anyone.
I thought he was excellent against Spurs. Against Villa he was decent too - 11 clearances 3 interceptions 2 headed duels won 1 tackle won 61 passes with 95% pass accuracy.
Agreed. You can feel it already people wanting him to make a mistake. He already got blamed for the goals that were not his fault look at the PSG game. People are so obsessed with transfers and wanting a new CB. Blind played at CB for Holland during World Cup and was good then. He made 1 or 2 mistakes against Club America but other then that was good (great against Barca) in the other pre season games. Simple fact is he has been good and the only excuse I see is "yeah well Kane was crap and Villa had 0 shots'.
Looked the weak link in the back 4 in pre-season and first game, he did have a substantially better game against villa but someone powerful and quick i.e. Lukaku/Costa and I think he will struggle at centre back.