Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa joins AS Roma then Lyon

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He's going to be around for at least another season and probably more than that. If there is a problem defending set pieces we'll need  to come up with solutions earlier than that.

 

Any ideas?

[Deuce]

My favorite of the new signings. Cool as you like on the ball, great positioning and awareness, and makes smart passes.

 

Also, it's rather futile to use Benteke as an example of our squad's lack of aerial prowess, considering he's one of the most physically dominant CFs in the league and not many CBs can match him through the air. I've yet to see Colo-MYM get truly bossed by anyone since they started playing together.

 

See, nobody was doing that, at all. I was using a set piece situation which wasn't defended by those who should be our best bet for doing so, whether it was Benteke or Patrice Evra.

 

The 'aerial prowess' in the squad is nonexistent. Sissoko being the one marking Benteke is the key point, not the fact he scored.

 

Unless Sissoko is really poor (which he may very well be, I can't say I've noticed either way) at set pieces, does it matter that our CBs aren't the ones marking the opposition's jumpers?

[Ronaldo]

It tends to, yes.

[Deuce]

Why? Surely all that matters is getting the job done, not who does it. If Sissoko was our best defender on set pieces, would it really matter that he's not a CB?

 

But you're arguing that a CM taking set pieces is indicative that our CBs aren't great defending through the air? While I agree that that is probably true to an extent, I don't think it's something that really handicaps our defense. MYM and Colo aren't Anita-sized and the majority of PL attacking players aren't Benteke-sized.

[Guest icemanblue]

It tends to, yes.

 

How's that? Surely, if you have a player who is better in the air than your defenders, then it makes sense for him to mark the opposition's biggest aerial threat. We used to do it with Carroll.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think the problem is just that we don't have anyone to mark the Benteke types. It doesn't really matter who's doing it IMO. If we had Drogba up front, I don't see why anyone would complain if he marked the opposition striker, as long as he's good at it.

 

Obviously CBs are the most likely to be suitable for the role, it's just not one of Mapou's strengths.

[David Icke - Son of God]

I'd be more concerned if Benteke beasted his marker in the air. Instead Sissoko got lost and Krul came out flapping like a complete fuckwit.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I'd be more concerned if Benteke beasted his marker in the air. Instead Sissoko got lost and Krul came out flapping like a complete fuckwit.

 

I'm not sure the Villa goal is the best example for the discussion really. Firstly, what you said. Secondly, Benteke is an absolute machine and they had also introduced another giant just before.

[Benwell Lad]

Our recruitment and transfer policies have been much maligned by the press and fans alike recently but we have brought in some fucking excellent players in the last few years and this guy is another illustration of that.

[Ronaldo]

It tends to, yes.

 

How's that? Surely, if you have a player who is better in the air than your defenders, then it makes sense for him to mark the opposition's biggest aerial threat. We used to do it with Carroll.

 

I never said it didn't make sense given our personnel. I said it hurts us that our defenders don't defend set pieces. They should be taking responsibility for them and they can't/don't which is going to cause us problems given that the rest of the team aren't anything approaching effective in the air.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Our recruitment and transfer policies have been much maligned by the press and fans alike recently but we have brought in some fucking excellent players in the last few years and this guy is another illustration of that.

 

Yep, Mapou and Sissoko in particular will turn out to be outstanding buys. We just don't always go the extra mile financially when it would help the team. Apart from that we've done very well.

[Deuce]

Regardless, set pieces, on both sides of the ball, remain a primary weakness. We need to figure something out because our system clearly isn't working.

[Guest icemanblue]

It tends to, yes.

 

How's that? Surely, if you have a player who is better in the air than your defenders, then it makes sense for him to mark the opposition's biggest aerial threat. We used to do it with Carroll.

 

I never said it didn't make sense given our personnel. I said it hurts us that our defenders don't defend set pieces. They should be taking responsibility for them and they can't/don't which is going to cause us problems given that the rest of the team aren't anything approaching effective in the air.

 

Aye, that's fair enough. To be honest, we really lack an aerial threat accross the park. Sissoko should be decent, but really, really isn't.

[Ronaldo]

Regardless, set pieces, on both sides of the ball, remain a primary weakness. We need to figure something out because our system clearly isn't working.

 

Right.

 

As has been said, as good as they are in certain circumstances there's no real long-term future in a Colo-MYM partnership.

[Ronaldo]

It tends to, yes.

 

How's that? Surely, if you have a player who is better in the air than your defenders, then it makes sense for him to mark the opposition's biggest aerial threat. We used to do it with Carroll.

 

I never said it didn't make sense given our personnel. I said it hurts us that our defenders don't defend set pieces. They should be taking responsibility for them and they can't/don't which is going to cause us problems given that the rest of the team aren't anything approaching effective in the air.

 

Aye, that's fair enough. To be honest, we really lack an aerial threat accross the park. Sissoko should be decent, but really, really isn't.

 

He's a young lad who's probably never been tasked with significant aerial duties.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Regardless, set pieces, on both sides of the ball, remain a primary weakness. We need to figure something out because our system clearly isn't working.

 

Right.

 

As has been said, as good as they are in certain circumstances there's no real long-term future in a Colo-MYM partnership.

 

Not sure that follows. As we've established, you could (for example) address the set piece problem by signing a midfielder or striker that would provide more aerial prowess.

 

As long as Colo stays, that's the partnership and we would be silly to change it.

[Guest icemanblue]

It tends to, yes.

 

How's that? Surely, if you have a player who is better in the air than your defenders, then it makes sense for him to mark the opposition's biggest aerial threat. We used to do it with Carroll.

 

I never said it didn't make sense given our personnel. I said it hurts us that our defenders don't defend set pieces. They should be taking responsibility for them and they can't/don't which is going to cause us problems given that the rest of the team aren't anything approaching effective in the air.

 

Aye, that's fair enough. To be honest, we really lack an aerial threat accross the park. Sissoko should be decent, but really, really isn't.

 

He's a young lad who's probably never been tasked with significant aerial duties.

 

That may be, but he's still got a touch of the Williamson about his aerial prowess. Putty head.

[TRon]

He's going to be around for at least another season and probably more than that. If there is a problem defending set pieces we'll need  to come up with solutions earlier than that.

 

Any ideas?

 

Drilling the markers to stick closer to the attacker would be the best way to go. Like I said earlier, you don't have to win the header always, but if you can make enough of a challenge to put the striker off that's half the battle.

[David Icke - Son of God]

He's going to be around for at least another season and probably more than that. If there is a problem defending set pieces we'll need  to come up with solutions earlier than that.

 

Any ideas?

 

Platform football boots. They'll add a few inches.

[littlelunchbox]

Regardless, set pieces, on both sides of the ball, remain a primary weakness. We need to figure something out because our system clearly isn't working.

 

Right.

 

As has been said, as good as they are in certain circumstances there's no real long-term future in a Colo-MYM partnership.

 

[Ikon]

So premature.

[Guest bimpy474]

While disagree with Ron, i wouldn't think games against Fulham, Wham and Villa are the time to judge them just yet.

[Ronaldo]

One's a replacement for the other, who's nearly 32. And as we've discussed at a pointless length they have the same costly weakness. Of course there's no long-term future in it.

[Ikon]

Can't even be bothered..

[Ronaldo]

While disagree with Ron, i wouldn't think games against Fulham, Wham and Villa are the time to judge them just yet.

 

I wouldn't split them up yet, don't get me wrong. But anyone who thinks CB is sorted in the long-term is deluded and not very bright. I'm totally shocked as to the usually brilliant posters taking this view.