I often wonder how he would look if he was forced to play on that left side.
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I often wonder how he would look if he was forced to play on that left side.
Sounds like you watched a different game. If you think that positional play was "fine" may George Best help us. If he played that way for the 90 mins we could have easily lost, no problem. Just because we won an important game doesn't mean there weren't poor performances.
Did what he had to do. Didn't really have a lot of the ball when he come on, so he had to do a lot of defending, but I thought he was ok. People need to remember he's coming back after about 5 months. He's nowhere near fully fit yet.
Speculation is so bloody lame.
Is his performance based off on what could have happened or what happened? Me and you clearly have a different assessment, and that is completely fine but when it is based off on a theory on what could have happened, it becomes pointless.
As I said, he had some bad moments, but he also had some good moments that reflected positively for the team;thus, he was fine.
Strangely he looked rustier today than he did on Thursday.
Pretty bad in fairness. Outside of the right boot crosses. No thanks.
You think so?
If he played on the left would he not be forced to come in on his right?
And do what exactly? Score from the edge of the box with his wonderful shooting ability or whip some wicked crosses in with his cultured right foot!
Seeing as the first thing he wanted to do after a 1-0 derby victory is come on and lay into Valencia you're probably wasting your breath pal.
I was thinking it would put him in a much more encouraging position to put in better passes into the box in the final third. The evidence however suggests it would turn out to be pretty ugly.
Probably
Defensively hopeless when he came on, sometimes his positioning is awful.
After being out of position and well behind the rest of the defense he also let Aguero in for a free header from Silvas cross. His passing was pretty average too.
I mentioned this, no?
You praised Darmian despite a couple of shaky spells and criticise Valencia for something that didn't happen. I love a balanced opinion.
Show me in the post I quoted where you mentioned this?
Can't blame him for struggling with Aguero but what really reminded me why I hate him is when he bombs forward, gets to their channel and slows down the play straight away.
Please just stop with the guy.
went into short circuited robot spinning mode as is expected. consistent
Glad he's back a massive upgrade on Darmain
He's still coming back to full fitness, so it's not fair to dump on him at this point.
I think he's great, personally. Totally shuts down his flank and forces his opposing winger backwards. It's true his attacking threat isn't great, but he rarely loses the ball, always makes himself available for a pass and wins more corners/throw-ins than anybody else in the squad. In terms of retaining possession, he's an exceptional option to have.
The way he dominates his side of the pitch, he almost makes the game 10 vs 10. He cancels out both himself and the other side's winger. Given that most teams have their most creative players on the wing, what Valencia offers is invaluable. Pooh-pooh that if you like, but there's a reason that all his managers have loved him. Some aspects of football are about what you discourage the other team from even trying.
I think he's great, personally. Totally shuts down his flank and forces his opposing winger backwards. It's true his attacking threat isn't great, but he rarely loses the ball, always makes himself available for a pass and wins more corners/throw-ins than anybody else in the squad. In terms of retaining possession, he's an exceptional option to have.
The way he dominates his side of the pitch, he almost makes the game 10 vs 10. He cancels out both himself and the other side's winger. Given that most teams have their most creative players on the wing, what Valencia offers is invaluable. Pooh-pooh that if you like, but there's a reason that all his managers have loved him. Some aspects of football are about what you discourage the other team from even trying.
I wish he'd not slow down the game when he's overlapping.
Just boot the ball in, it's what he did as a winger.
Just boot the ball in, it's what he did as a winger.
Great post.
I agree, just hope Darmian isn't going to be our starting left back now.
You are making it sound like he puts every winger in his pocket.
Aguero managed to get past him with just one touch - with his chests ffs!
Well Darmian was absolutely fine on the right side defensively. Sure his ability to cross is poor but defensively he is better than Valencia.
That Aguero moment actually jolted me back to reality and reminded me of why Valencia is really poor as a FB when his defensive duties are put to test.You are making it sound like he puts every winger in his pocket.
Aguero managed to get past him with just one touch - with his chests ffs!
He was not better than Darmian defensively. Was all over the place position wise and let Aguero two clear shots/header on goal. More than what Darmian/Rojo did in the first 80 mins.
Varela > Darmian > Young > Valencia
First choice right back without question for me. Makes such a difference to us going forward.
Nice to have more bodies but some of his defending can be summed up by the fact that he is clearly an will forever be a winger. That piece of defending when Aguero turned inside and scuffed his shot. I dropped a bog clean when I saw him cut back. Thought Aguero was just going to stroke that straight in off the right upright. Horrible miss and Antonio was spared some major embarrassment. Losing him for that header across the box could have been costly as well.
Didn't watch the game but the difference in opinions here is unreal No idea whether he did well or not.
No idea whether he did well or not.I just can't work him out. Defensively there's question marks over his positioning but physically he's great as he can get up and down that pitch. As a right winger I don't think he offers enough going forward.
Didn't watch the game but the difference in opinions here is unreal
I am a fan of his but would say he struggled against Aguero. The chest moment people are referencing was a world class touch from Aguero though.
The funny thing is Rojo is that bad it's a toss up between them. Ideally Shaw but even Blind with Jones at CB.
But overall game and going forward and linking up. Every time he gets the ball there is a real danger he gives it away. Much like Rojo on the other side of the park.
As an aside, it's quite remarkable how two people who have played as wing backs for their respective countries can be so terrible on the ball (or in Rojo's case, just terrible).
I understand that Valencia is better at not losing the ball but he barely does anything with it apart from trying to break a defender's shin. As I said, I would love a right sided Shaw but if it is a toss up between Darmian and Valencia - I will pick Darmian for being a better defender. We can do without having a liability in defense.
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