good post.
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The same player who was specifically targeted to press by Mourinho in the Europa League final, since he isn't as good on the ball as de Ligt or Lindelof? Glad, you aren't our manager. And D. Sanchez could be a Mourinho prospect, only we bought a similar player the summer before. We needed a defender who is a good passer, I reckon we got one.
I saw him for Benfica about 8 times and I was largely unimpressed with his defensive skills.
He makes some great last ditch challenges, but these were because he'd been caught out of position again, and had the pace to make amends.
Noticed at corners he sometimes didn't compete for the header, and this was often because he was out of position and not goal side of his attacker, which is a school boy error.
He is good on the ball though, distributes well, and is surprisingly quick.
Perhaps Mourinho's coaches can install some better defending skills into his game.
Even debuts like Vidic 
Can't remember the title of the video, but there was a very good YouTube video analyzing Lindelöf's strengths and weaknesses, rather than just showing highlights. He's got a lot of errors to iron out. We've paid a lot of money for potential (€35m rising to €45m). Gotta trust that Jose knows how to spot a defender though.
Eh, that lad who was utter shite in the EL Final? Ok.
You are being unfair with him, he was good for a one man defense. As for Lindelof, it was the first preseason game, players aren't ready physically and mentally, they particularly lack the intensity and the first step which is the all point of those games.
You all still think he's a dead certain starter for us in the beginning of the season? I told you so…
Eh? He was terrible, he got away with a few blatant fouls and was targeted throughout. De Ligt was the far better of the two.
Anyhow, I haven't seen the game - plan to try get it somewhere - but the Lindelof bashing has been hilarious considering it was a pre-season game.
Thought Lindelof was having a really good debut until that first goal - was absolutely shocking defending.
There were things to be encouraged about and some things to work on. The guy is 23 and has only played 45 minutes for us. He will improve and Jose is the man to get him up to scratch.
There were things to be encouraged about and some things to work on. The guy is 23 and has only played 45 minutes for us. He will improve and Jose is the man to get him up to scratch.
Tell that to John Stones
I must have missed us signing Matic. Fellaini surely won't start that many games if we do buy another centre mid.
Long and short of it in the Premier league is you need 2 centre backs who can head it!
Stones' problems with being a defender stems from having to actually defend and especially position himself to do so, not just heading.
Lindelof's weakness in the air is well-known, was talked about widely on here prior to his signing and Mourinho/United will certainly have been aware of it having scouted him for months. I assume that they either don't think it's crucial or believe he can improve significantly in that regard (ditto Bailly perhaps - they are both 1.87m tall).
Yes, it was moreso related to his statement about a cb's ability on the ball being so important. The most important thing about a cb is their defending including their heading, their ability on the ball should be a bonus not a necessity. Ferdinand was a brilliant ball playing cb but he was first and foremost a brilliant defender. For what it's worth not saying Lindelof is anywhere near as bad as Stones, I just object to the general idea of a cb's ability on the ball being more important than their heading, positioning, tackling, etc.
Stones' issues isnt his heading abilities but he is simply a terrible defender who lacks awareness, positioning and concentration.
The state of you... Bailly is Vidic, Lindelof is Ferdinand.Even debuts like Vidic
What we need is a CB partnership on par with Rio/Vidic, no doubt about it. This lad is going to be a regular for us for the next 10+years hopefully with Bailly as his partner. Who else do we have? Jones was shite tonight and I'd have Bailly over Smalling any day.
Really impressed with his balling skills, reads the game well, love to get forward and from what I gather he's good at free kicks.
Remember Jose doesnt mess around with defensive signings, he knows what he's doing.
Really impressed with his balling skills, reads the game well, love to get forward and from what I gather he's good at free kicks.
Remember Jose doesnt mess around with defensive signings, he knows what he's doing.
He didn't face many challenges I believe, Jones was the one at fault for the goal. He looks decent in the ball but still early to judge his defending abilities.
Next games will show his qualities.
Next games will show his qualities.
Much better performance today. Looked more composed and positioning was a lot better. A couple of good clearances. It's good that both he and Bailly had good performances today after a poor 1st game. They will likely be our starting cbs going into the season so hoping to see them together again against City. Smalling also did well today. Jones was ok until the goal where he was just completely outmuscled.
Jones wasn't on the pitch for the goal
Edit: My apologies, thought you were talking about the LA Galaxy game.
No problem!, I didn't understand your post at first tbh, but it's clear now.Jones wasn't on the pitch for the goal
Edit: My apologies, thought you were talking about the LA Galaxy game.
Blind being a better defender than most PL CBs proves otherwise.
Really? That's an outdated view for me.
Well it would be nice to have at least one, anyway.
I read enough comments about him making plenty of mistakes to think otherwise.
And if he's really "better than most", in the whole league (what an incredible statement), why have we basically just demoted him to 6th choice in our own squad?!
A lot of games we have most of the ball, granted, but there are still very physical teams who will look to dominate you physically.
Lindelof can't just not bother to jump like he did in the first friendly.
How did Lindelöf get on against City? I didn't get to watch the game.
City's best chance of the whole game came from Lingelof's pass being intercepted, requiring Smalling to save the day with a late block. Lindelof also appeared slow closing down a city midfielder for another shot that De Gea had to save. Generally, Lindelof seems far more comfortable on the ball than Smalling and Jones but his defending looks a level below them at the moment; that pattern has been apparent in at least 2 of the games, though possibly not the 2nd game.
Anyone a bit worried about the lad?
Genuinely think Tuanzebe will take his place.
It's not a bad thing.
It's not a bad thing.
Considering it's the second game of preseason, no.
Let's wait until the season actually starts and how he performs in competitive matches once he's gelled a bit more with his teammates and the tactics.
It's not the preseason though it's the fact that it's his first year in a new league totally different from the old one. I think it'll take him a lot of time to settle but i don't think we can afford that atm.
It was Smalling actually who took his own sweet time to pass the ball to Lindelof in the first place. Smalling could clearly see that the City attackers were pressing and closing in and he still chose to pass it to Lindelof who was the closest to him and was being closed down. That was a pass Smalling could've made a few seconds earlier as well, when there was no one closing Lindelof down.
I don't blame Lindelof for his pass being intercepted since he was under pressure from the opposition player while receiving the ball from a slow AF Smalling.
I was worried as soon as I saw bits of his first training session with us, he just looked slower and far more immobile than anyone else.
His subsequent games with us have done nothing to allay this. Especially after hearing from Benfica fans his heading isn't great, and that being proven right so early in our games.
Hopefully he settles soon, because his forward play for centre-back is one of the best I've seen.
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A CB who is strength lies with reading, then it's understandable for him to need more time to understand his teammates (what to expect from them, thus what needs to be done to help them). Playing the middle man role in 3 at the back is demanding & it's both new and tough given pre season nature with players ain't 100% fit. It's tough for new guy knowing little about other players. It's too early to judge.
Other than buying Michael Keane or Ben Gibson, I'm not sure what else we could've done.
Way too early to judge but doesnt seem that good on the ball, he is no Hummels or Bonucci. A bit unimpressive so far but nothing can be made out of that. A slow start is accepted.
He will come good i think.
Still think we miss a leader in the back four and someone who you can depend on to win most aerial duels, still think we should have gone for van dijk for those attributes.
Still think we miss a leader in the back four and someone who you can depend on to win most aerial duels, still think we should have gone for van dijk for those attributes.
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