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totally. It’s simple - let’s spend the money in midfield and Attack because we just don’t have unlimited budget but what we do have is a lot of options in defence including our best out and out defender - Smalling - who has proved himself hands downYou also have to remember that he had to partner these said defenders and as everyone knows if you have one great defender and one bad defender you have a bad defence regardless. He had one good defensive partner in his entire time at United - Blind. They were our best defensive partnership since Rio/Vida.
I'd at least like to see Smalling have a chance to partner with Maguire. I think their attributes would suit each other well.
This!It's heading height, the ball does not fly above him, it passes in front of him because he chooses not to clear it and decelerates, He had time, ample time to dive in and put it other the bar. Any amateur can do that. There's two things you do not do as a centre back: let the ball bounce and let the ball move beyond you if you know someone's coming hot behind. It's not how top class defenders play.
It's really, really, really simple. There was no need for a covering run from the others.
There are just very few good defenders around. And I'm not talking about 18-20 year old talents but 25-28 year old experienced high quality defenders.He's ok and the 80m spent on the bloke next to him was to help not hinder him. How can we be in a position where we need to spend more money to make the person we just spent money on better......will this madness ever end. We have a graveyard of CB's?
To be honest, we are pretty much talking about the same top players in most of the other positions too. The top draw should be small by default and its nature. Our problem is Im not sure Harry belongs in that top draw as if he did, who is next to him would be as much an issue.There are just very few good defenders around. And I'm not talking about 18-20 year old talents but 25-28 year old experienced high quality defenders.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are struggling in defense. City have had about 10 CB's in last couple of years and are still struggling. Liverpool have VVD, but have problems finding his best partner imo. Also in Europe. When Ramos was unavailable for Real, it showed massively and he's will be 35 next year. Barcelona have a 33 year old Pique and Lenglet, the drop in quality is big if you consider a prime Pique with Puyol couple of years ago.
All in all, I think there is a lack of quality CB's, which is why decent CB's cost as much as they do.
Ole clearly doesn't think that any of the CBs he inherited are any good enough, and I tend to agree. What else is there to do but buy new ones? He shouldn't be forced to play substandard players just because the previous manager wanted them.He's ok and the 80m spent on the bloke next to him was to help not hinder him. How can we be in a position where we need to spend more money to make the person we just spent money on better......will this madness ever end. We have a graveyard of CB's?
The man he bought is not much better than the ones he inherited. That is the problem.Ole clearly doesn't think that any of the CBs he inherited are any good enough, and I tend to agree. What else is there to do but buy new ones? He shouldn't be forced to play substandard players just because the previous manager wanted them.
The man is the minimum standard you want to compete. Anything below Maguire level is just top 4 challenger or lower.The man he bought is not much better than the ones he inherited. That is the problem.
How could today’s defence not even be challenging for better than top 4 when they just finished third?The man is the minimum standard you want to compete. Anything below Maguire level is just top 4 challenger or lower.
Because with the current defense, we were only challenging top 4 in 19/20.How could today’s defence not even be challenging for better than top 4 when they just finished third?
Imo the current trend of building from the back along with high pressing is what to blame.There are just very few good defenders around. And I'm not talking about 18-20 year old talents but 25-28 year old experienced high quality defenders.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are struggling in defense. City have had about 10 CB's in last couple of years and are still struggling. Liverpool have VVD, but have problems finding his best partner imo. Also in Europe. When Ramos was unavailable for Real, it showed massively and he's will be 35 next year. Barcelona have a 33 year old Pique and Lenglet, the drop in quality is big if you consider a prime Pique with Puyol couple of years ago.
All in all, I think there is a lack of quality CB's, which is why decent CB's cost as much as they do.
It’s a good comment. The role for the CB and the game have changed a lot and that’s why comparing old players with this of today is meaningless.Imo the current trend of building from the back along with high pressing is what to blame.
Nowadays a CB apart from their usual defending set skills must play like a midfielder in possession. They must be able to retain possession under pressure and know how to pick a pass. A Vidic in defense and a Scholes in possession. And coaches generally favour the Scholes part over the Vidic part. That's the problem imo.
No wonder it's really hard to find a good CB these days. It's just too much.
What a load of crap. Maguire in the team elevates the team so much more than having the defenders he inherited. Just have a look at the stats between the two.The man he bought is not much better than the ones he inherited. That is the problem.
