HawK Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I can't think of a single other time I've been so content with our best four centre backs in the PL. 95/96 > now, both on paper and in actual results. In recent history though, it's definitely the strongest depth we've had in a long time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest firetotheworks Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Weirdly, I still think the 08/09 relegation defense should have been very capable on paper. Beye, Bassong, Colo, Enrique are four players who all at different times played very well for us for a season or two. Happy with the defensive side of things at the moment, organisationally more than anything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallace Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 In one of his early interviews after joining us, Clark said that he felt that he had not really been coached at Villa. What a difference good coaching makes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormy Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I can't think of a single other time I've been so content with our best four centre backs in the PL. 95/96 > now, both on paper and in actual results. In recent history though, it's definitely the strongest depth we've had in a long time. I was 6, feel bad including things that I don't truly remember myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I don't think our CBs are that great. They just have been well coached and drilled. Perhaps this lot do the fundamentals a lot better than some of the others in recent years, but Rafa is clearly the main difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggs Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I don't think our CBs are that great. They just have been well coached and drilled. Perhaps this lot do the fundamentals a lot better than some of the others in recent years, but Rafa is clearly the main difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiemag Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 He oozes confidence at the moment. At Villa he looked like he could shit himself at any moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I don't think our CBs are that great. They just have been well coached and drilled. Perhaps this lot do the fundamentals a lot better than some of the others in recent years, but Rafa is clearly the main difference. Agreed. Well drilled. Focussed. Defend fairly deep and protected. Actually good in the air. For a long time Steven fucking Taylor was the best defender in the air. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STM Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Clark is fantastic IMO. He's been my favourite player for a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I'm a big fan of Clark; at the moment he's our most dependable defender and can actually play. He's also useful from set pieces and occasionally in open play (although I'm not sure that's a good thing). Regarding his long balls, I do find it frustrating at times but they always look targeted rather than just "cleared" up field - he often finds a man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufc4eva Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 The main difference is that our centre halves are not total pussies in the air. Both Clark and Lascelles are decent in the air. Clark just seems to know his position well and more often than not makes the right decisions in terms of closing down, standing off and clearing the ball. Rafa has coached players to be consistent even if they aren't flashy / can't dribble the ball 50 yards after leaping like a salmon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Probably our first choice centre half, so composed on the ball. Kept pumping it long today. Misses Paul it seems. It's totally different though, he seems to know where he's playing it as he does have a good passing range on him. Dummett absolutely does not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Probably our first choice centre half, so composed on the ball. Kept pumping it long today. Misses Paul it seems. It's totally different though, he seems to know where he's playing it as he does have a good passing range on him. Dummett absolutely does not. "Kept pumping it long" = three long balls from open play, one of which was effectively a clearance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallsendmag Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 He's both a good defender and a footballer. Can't really believe it's the same bloke that played for Villa. Just shows what having a World Class manager can do for a player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Probably our first choice centre half, so composed on the ball. Kept pumping it long today. Misses Paul it seems. It's totally different though, he seems to know where he's playing it as he does have a good passing range on him. Dummett absolutely does not. "Kept pumping it long" = three long balls from open play, one of which was effectively a clearance. I can't think of many times where it's seemed like he's the only defender playing long-balls. While he's good on the ball, he doesn't strike me as a Bonucci or ALderweireld type passer. I could be wrong but I don't think Lascelles, Gamez or Manquillo played as many long-balls. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 It all comes down to definitions, of course, but according to Opta Manquillo played 4 from our half, Gamez 2 and Lascelles 1. https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1190229/Live/England-Premier-League-2017-2018-Swansea-Newcastle-United Maybe Clark taking some of the deep free kicks instead of Elliot skewed your perception a bit? I'm not saying he's great in possession but I definitely think he's tidy, he's played some smart passes up the flanks both on and off the ground. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 He knows when to kick it long or short. He also knows when to try and pass out of trouble or when to just put it into the stands. He's been great for us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeEd32 Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Just added him to my fantasy team, so we're probably fucked. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 It all comes down to definitions, of course, but according to Opta Manquillo played 4 from our half, Gamez 2 and Lascelles 1. https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1190229/Live/England-Premier-League-2017-2018-Swansea-Newcastle-United Maybe Clark taking some of the deep free kicks instead of Elliot skewed your perception a bit? I'm not saying he's great in possession but I definitely think he's tidy, he's played some smart passes up the flanks both on and off the ground. I actually think he's good in the pass and in the dribble, Lascelles is prob our most uncomfortable passer of the ball and in possession. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Altamullan Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Just added him to my fantasy team, so we're probably f***ed. Bugger. Ok, I'll sell him from mine. That should more than balance the voodoo-hoodoo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 Had Lascelles in mine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest chopey Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 He never gets the credit he deserves and probably never will but I thought he was immense today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikon Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 Maybe not from others, but from us fans he gets tons of credit. But aye, he was class again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 Maybe not from others, but from us fans he gets tons of credit. But aye, he was class again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawK Posted September 16, 2017 Share Posted September 16, 2017 He never gets the credit he deserves and probably never will but I thought he was immense today On this forum you'd think he was the second coming of Christ at times tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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