he was a 60 minute wonder too, on the hour he was looking at the bench for rescue… or pies
Van Dijk criticism
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he was a 60 minute wonder too, on the hour he was looking at the bench for rescue… or pies
The point about how much he has played is fair. And we see what happens when he doesn't.
So, another major asset mismanaged by the club because we fail to have sufficient squad depth to let our players rest appropriately.
It's a matter of time before the floor drops from underneath Mo similarly. Shocking that he's stayed as healthy and available as he has.
All the more reason to sell players just beyond their peak. Because we ride them until they break.
So, another major asset mismanaged by the club because we fail to have sufficient squad depth to let our players rest appropriately.
It's a matter of time before the floor drops from underneath Mo similarly. Shocking that he's stayed as healthy and available as he has.
All the more reason to sell players just beyond their peak. Because we ride them until they break.
We absolutely should be worried. The CB situation this summer is equally as dire as the midfield situation last season. It's only not getting the attention because the midfield is now even more desperate.
VVD is genuinely cooked. He hasn't got the aggression or concentration in his game to compensate for his declining body. He's a shadow of what he was and is not demonstrating any sign of adapting.
Konate is talented but fragile.
Matip is now shit, and fragile.
Gomez, at CB, has been declining year on year.
I don't want to doom monger, but the squad overhaul started 2/3 years too late and now we're fire-fighting. There's talk of one CB coming this window so I just hope they're a gem.
VVD is genuinely cooked. He hasn't got the aggression or concentration in his game to compensate for his declining body. He's a shadow of what he was and is not demonstrating any sign of adapting.
Konate is talented but fragile.
Matip is now shit, and fragile.
Gomez, at CB, has been declining year on year.
I don't want to doom monger, but the squad overhaul started 2/3 years too late and now we're fire-fighting. There's talk of one CB coming this window so I just hope they're a gem.
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Although the criticism is warranted, I think a lot of you are panicking a little too much.
After all, we witnessed Hyypia come back from an awful season where he looked like he was past it (2003, aged 30) and he came back strong and squeezed quite a few more years out. I'm pretty sure Rio Ferdinand had the same issue at one point, but can't be arsed checking.
There are many reasons for his downfall:
But regardless we should always be looking to bring in competition for places. Something the club has obviously failed at doing.
After all, we witnessed Hyypia come back from an awful season where he looked like he was past it (2003, aged 30) and he came back strong and squeezed quite a few more years out. I'm pretty sure Rio Ferdinand had the same issue at one point, but can't be arsed checking.
There are many reasons for his downfall:
- He's played too much.
- The competition for his position have all had horrendous injuries that have resulted in them being out of form.
- The midfield have offered no protection as they are all done.
- The full backs have also been overplayed and their attacking tendencies have went hand in hand with the midfields ineptitude to make the defence look even worse.
- Lost a little pace (but it's not THAT much)
But regardless we should always be looking to bring in competition for places. Something the club has obviously failed at doing.
Jesus Squigs, tell us all how you really feel why don’t you?
Look at you and your sensible-ness!!!
Surely by now you know the SCM way is to go with “his legs have gone”, “he’s shit” and “we should sell him before he gets us relegated”.
To be fair, he’s done well since arriving with only one leg.
VVD is absolutely not finished. He's just slower. Every other aspect of his game is insanely good. We just need another CB at Konate level (and quick) that doesn't get injured like the rest of the CBs we have to complement VVD.
Still remember this tackle he made when Mane was through on goal. He had everything didn't he.
I don't think anyone is saying he's finished, though. People are highlighting the fact the club is seemingly incapable of future planning (e.g. the midfield issue), and because of that people can see, as Squiggles said, and we all agree, our CB situation can go from "ah its fine" to a burning orphanage in one swoop.
VVD needs a rest, thats absolutely true. But he's not going to get better acceleration because of that. I've maintained he could be a top flight defender for another 5 or 6 years; the issue is can he do it in a high line, which is how we play. Short of a tactics change, i don't believe he has the legs for a high line consistently any more. Getting a CB this year is crucial, to 1. Give virgil more rest, and 2. Long term succession planning. Next summer we can assess whether konate is worth persisting with, as while he's a beast, he's too injury prone. Gomez or Matip, for me, arguably should be looking at the exit door this year.
VVD needs a rest, thats absolutely true. But he's not going to get better acceleration because of that. I've maintained he could be a top flight defender for another 5 or 6 years; the issue is can he do it in a high line, which is how we play. Short of a tactics change, i don't believe he has the legs for a high line consistently any more. Getting a CB this year is crucial, to 1. Give virgil more rest, and 2. Long term succession planning. Next summer we can assess whether konate is worth persisting with, as while he's a beast, he's too injury prone. Gomez or Matip, for me, arguably should be looking at the exit door this year.
I think it always feels over the top until we find ourselves in the shit. The same remarks were made came to evaluating the team and individual players in recent years as well - we almost won the quad etc etc.
Promises over his form and ability to get "back to his best" have noticeable been revised down over the last couple years. He is another player that has been trading off reputation for a while and if we're being brutally honest, is not currently worth his mega wages.
That's not to say he's terrible or anything, he's just not what he was. We're looking at 7/10 averages instead of 9-10s.
We're plainly not going to sell him and even if we wanted to, I doubt we'd get an offer that both parties would entertain. He's another player that will likely leave on a free at the end of his current contract unless we give him an extension, which would probably be a bad move.
Promises over his form and ability to get "back to his best" have noticeable been revised down over the last couple years. He is another player that has been trading off reputation for a while and if we're being brutally honest, is not currently worth his mega wages.
That's not to say he's terrible or anything, he's just not what he was. We're looking at 7/10 averages instead of 9-10s.
We're plainly not going to sell him and even if we wanted to, I doubt we'd get an offer that both parties would entertain. He's another player that will likely leave on a free at the end of his current contract unless we give him an extension, which would probably be a bad move.
Liverfree FC.
Is there any player (starter) for us that won't leave on a free? We're gonna have a real tough time replacing all these big players, not sure how FSG will handle the pressure.
I think the only people we'll command a fee for are probably going to be the kids who come up from the academy
Considering about 95% of them are released for nothing, this doesn't sound too promising.
Shopping in the middle aisle of Aldi for players for the next 50 years
well said amigo
I think competition is necessary. Get a left footed CB in and rest Virg often enough. See if he gets some motivation to go full Virg again
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