Gallowgate Toon Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 You can see at times he's nervous when the ball comes to him, he's obviously had some scares with how quickly opposition close him down, but he'll adapt to that quickly. His actual defending has been very good, in open play at least. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 As much as people love the Colo/Mapou/Carvalho types, they need the bruisers alongside em as much as the bruisers need them. All about complementary skills. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Agree with that completely. Given the choice though I'd take two of the latter over two of the former any day of the week in this league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Agree with that completely. Given the choice though I'd take two of the latter over two of the former any day of the week in this league. Has that ever worked for a side? You end up with teams launching it long and trying to be bullies. Closest thing I can think of is Ferdinand/Evans and they got bullied in the past despite Rio always being pretty strong and good in the air. Ramos and Varane perhaps but Ramos just looks soft and can play a bit. He's very strong, aggressive and great in the air. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Agree with that completely. Given the choice though I'd take two of the latter over two of the former any day of the week in this league. Has that ever worked for a side? You end up with teams launching it long and trying to be bullies. It worked back in the day with Bruce and Pallister. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I don't know about PL sides but its worked in the CL for many European teams. Nesta-Thiago Silva being one of many, i think it can work definitely if the defenders in question are clever enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Agree with that completely. Given the choice though I'd take two of the latter over two of the former any day of the week in this league. Has that ever worked for a side? You end up with teams launching it long and trying to be bullies. It worked back in the day with Bruce and Pallister. Pallister at Manu, a perfect example of how you have to be patient wth new players settling in. A more inept first season would be harder to find than his and then he went on to be very good indeed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I don't know about PL sides but its worked in the CL for many European teams. Nesta-Thiago Silva being one of many, i think it can work definitely if the defenders in question are clever enough. The opposite type of pairing to what I was getting at, but never mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I don't know about PL sides but its worked in the CL for many European teams. Nesta-Thiago Silva being one of many, i think it can work definitely if the defenders in question are clever enough. The opposite type of pairing to what I was getting at, but never mind. I thought you was talking about two mapou's My bad and yeah i can't think of a two bruiser partnership working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thiago-Nesta are phsyically immense all-rounders. Even when Nesta lost a fair bit of his pace he was still very strong and great in the air. If Barcelona can have Mr. Gutsnglory Puyol so can we. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymag Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 You can see at times he's nervous when the ball comes to him, he's obviously had some scares with how quickly opposition close him down, but he'll adapt to that quickly. His actual defending has been very good, in open play at least. He's entitled to be nervous when his passing options to his fellow defenders are so limited. He looked really confident on the ball in his first couple of games, but Pardew has likely told him not to fuck about with it and get rid. Shame, because he had a reputation as an excellent footballing centre back when he won the French league last year. Probably too early to make the assumption, but perhaps another example of skill, flair and ultimately confidence being "coached" out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole_Toonfan Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Thiago-Nesta are phsyically immense all-rounders. Even when Nesta lost a fair bit of his pace he was still very strong and great in the air. If Barcelona can have Mr. Gutsnglory Puyol so can we. Tbh i agree and i'd rather it that way i was just saying that i think you can have 2 Colo types and be successful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Perhaps. It's just never happened in the PL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 English football is a bit different in that Centre Backs have to deal with more aerial set pieces. You can't afford to be weak in that area. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Brendan_Rice Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 English football is a bit different in that Centre Backs have to deal with more aerial set pieces. You can't afford to be weak in that area. Just got flashbacks of Carroll when he played for us, was always back in the box dealing with set pieces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 After Sissoko, I'm most confident about this guy. He's had some shaky moments but I think it's clear as day that he's an excellent footballer and has the potential to be a quality CB for us. Such a shame that we've finally got someone reliable with genuine quality to partner Colo, and the latter is almost certainly leaving. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEEJ Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I can't wait until he's fully up to speed, because it just feels like he's going to be a hell of a player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallowgate Toon Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 A mackem's branded him 'a young, less confident Boumsong' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BONTEMPI Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 A mackem's branded him 'a young, less confident Boumsong' Well we'll see how well Sessegnmong does against him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Venkman Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I still think he'll turn out to be the best of the January buys. Sissoko had the initial impact and Debuchy's the most consistent right now imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 I still think he'll turn out to be the best of the January buys. Sissoko had the initial impact and Debuchy's the most consistent right now imo. Fully agreed. Mapou will be the balls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Thiago-Nesta are phsyically immense all-rounders. Even when Nesta lost a fair bit of his pace he was still very strong and great in the air. If Barcelona can have Mr. Gutsnglory Puyol so can we. Puyol can also play football though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotus Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Perhaps. It's just never happened in the PL. Vermaelen & Koscielny? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 A mackem's branded him 'a young, less confident Boumsong' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 Thiago-Nesta are phsyically immense all-rounders. Even when Nesta lost a fair bit of his pace he was still very strong and great in the air. If Barcelona can have Mr. Gutsnglory Puyol so can we. Puyol can also play football though. So can John Terry. It's not one of the prime things that makes him a top player. Vermaelen/Kos doesn't work but not because of a lack of strength/aerial threat. Most great defensive partnerships have a complimentary mix. Just look at the great partnerships in the last 5 years. Sidenote: Always felt Pepe/Ramos were too similar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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