Just watched the 60 second highlights of last nights game on the OS. I have one question; wtf has happened to Andy Carroll's hair?
And that statement about defines a true quality centre back - one who reads the game around him (not just in front of him); positions himself and appears to nullify threats with what appears to be minimal effort. VVD has many excellent attributes and I see him growing into a more accomplished CB as the months and years pass - hopefully with us!!
VIrgil has been criticised recently for getting pulled out of position. I'm sure that was on his mind when he chose to ignore the crosser. Unfortunately, he wasn't quick enough to get back into any kind of decent position.
RK clearly not happy with VVD. On balance, I don't think we should get too upset about yesterday. We deserved more over the 90 minutes but to get that you have to get the ball in the back of the net. Interestingly our players seem to be getting higher ratings in the press than WHU though I take that with a pinch of salt as they only gave Romeu 6 whereas I would give him a 9 - maybe a bit less because of 'that' second half tackle #brainfart
Thing is, he's learning. It's not actually so much the mistakes right now, it's his ability to stop them which is critical. He has the potential to be an awesome defender (though I tend to agree that Toby has perhaps a higher ceiling). We were all singing his praises from the rooftops after his first few games - he can absolutely get back to being at that level again.
Not as miss timed or rash as this season. He just charges forward and slides in. A lot of the time taking a player out. He has been lucky a few times this season.
Can't argue with that, especially given the level of football he's stepped up from. I actually think his ceiling is higher than Toby's given his height and athleticism. For all his ability Toby is relatively small for his position. He still has a lot to learn though (but who better to learn from than Koeman and Fonte).
Not sure really, though it's a moot point. Toby is hardly short, and his long range passing ability is delicious for a CB. As you say though, if VVD takes on the requisite lessons (and who better to learn from indeed) then we have a hell of a player there.
Agreed, it's a constant concern, and you can see it happening about 5 seconds before it does every time. *Whispers quietly* - I do think it would be prudent to bring in a new young CB over the summer (or push Stephens forward if he's good enough) and begin the gradual phasing out of JF.
Yep like against Spurs. That tackle on Alli was just mad. He will end up either getting sent off or breaking someones legs or both...
He was lucky a few times last season. That's always been his game, it's just that all defensive errors are more glaring because we're conceding more often; and the reason we're conceding more often is not, imo, really down to either of our two CBs.
The reason you're not as defensively sound these days is probably down to the fact you've pretty much sold a team in the last year and a half.
Agreed, the RB position is our achilles heel this season and it only takes one weak link in the chain to **** things up.
Poor decision making, when defending, is frequently the cause of many of our problems. Against Arsenal, I was quite impressed with the frequency the defenders hit the ball into the crowd, if they were under pressure. I've mentioned it previously, not on this thread, that we, all too often, try to keep the ball in play, at all costs, only to mishit a rushed clearance straight to an opponent, who puts the ball into the danger area, when it would be more prudent to hit it into touch and allow the team to reorganise. 1. At WHU, straight after the second half started, Bertrand, 2 or 3 times, tried to play the ball off of a Hammer, in order to win a throw in. As a result of trying to be "too cute", the ball ended up by our byeline, and VVD sliced it out for a corner. WHU had two goal scoring opportunities, as a direct result of conceding that corner, and that gave them and their fans a massive lift, and changed how the game was going, compared to the first half. 2. Martina, leapt backwards, to head the ball, to try and stop it getting to Antonio. Off the side of his head, it's a throw in to WHU. Off the forehead, it's a cushioned knockdown for Antonio to run into the penalty area, with Martina behind him, then the freakiest, fluke of a goal you will ever see. 3. As already mentioned, VVD backing off, and no one else going to the player crossing the ball for the second goal. Poor decisions again. 4. Even going forward, our decision making can be poor. As I have mentioned earlier in this thread, Davis and Long breaking away, with just 1 defender back. Instead of carrying the ball another 10/15 yards, drawing the defender and slipping the ball to Long, Davis elects to try and beat the keeper, from 40 yards, with his weaker foot. A great opportunity to go 2 up, wasted. The worst thing about the mistakes we are making, this season, is that the defensive ones are almost always ending up in the back of our net.
You're probably right, although I thought it looked like Davis tried to play Long in and mishit it.... Either way, he Mae a poor decision because as you say he could have carried that further before finding Long.
Yep it definitely was a horribly sliced pass rather than shot. In many ways it might been a decent effort if he had meant it as a shot
Strange, but when I watched it (live only admittedly and not seen a replay) I thought a flat even pass in front of Long was on and so concluded the attempted chip was to loft it over the keeper. Certainly could have played Long in earlier.
