[m1y2]

I've said it already a few weeks ago but i've no problem to say it again.....his roles for next season should be a fight with Shaw for the left-back spot and 3rd choice as defensive midfielder.

we could have done better with giving chance to Reece James who can cover both positions as well, not even mentioning Ben Pearson who certainly has a higher ceiling than Blind who could be a good squad player but I think our goal should be targeting only the best players. I understand that it was difficult for Van Gaal to come to the new team without bringing one of his versatile players who gets his philosophy though. Midfielder was needed before the season so it was no surprise we brought someone like Blind. It would be a risk to trust too many young players in club like this which demands success every season.

The reason he was why he was so good in the first part of the season is so obvious, He was Van Gaal player who knew his philosophy through and through unlike other players who were slowly getting to know it

 

[Striker10]

Don't really care how close the freekick was. Statistically you probably see more being hit over the wall then under it. It's not just blind but the whole wall deserve being fined. If a player smacks it under a wall and it's a good hit? Fair enough. Sometimes you can't stop the shot. If you're in a wall. Jump. Make it big. It's unlucky that it flicked off him the way it did and into the goal but that's the way our lucks been. WBA's goal wasn't much different. It's better to do the simple things right then to ask for trouble. In that position, jump. Don't raise your hand above your head. If it's in the area and it don't go in, you know what Palace would call for? A penalty. It's these simple things that some players need to remember. No one would be critical if the guy had have scored hitting it under the players. No way.

 

[limerickcitykid]

No one would be critical if the guy had have scored hitting it under the players. No way.

Of course they would have, because you don't jump.

 

[ScarleyUtd]

Got a hell of a shot on him from distance though huh.

 

[JR10]

Got a hell of a shot on him from distance though huh.

I have seen him blast a few into Row Z this season.

 

[Joemo]

@Striker10 You don't think he was under instruction from De Gea? He was turned round talking to him, then turned back and gave the instruction to the wall not to jump.

 

[Rooney in Paris]

I thought he was excellent during the first half of the season and he's been ok at LB when he had to cover for Shaw, but in CM in the second half of the season he's looked completely overwhelmed. Dunno if it's a physical thing (after all he had a long WC) but I'm hoping we can see the Blind of 2014 a bit more next season.

 

[Lawman]

@Striker10 You don't think he was under instruction from De Gea? He was turned round talking to him, then turned back and gave the instruction to the wall not to jump.

The thing is why did he have his arm up covering his face? If the ball hits then it's a penalty it's pussy stuff for me.

 

[Sied]

The thing is why did he have his arm up covering his face? If the ball hits then it's a penalty it's pussy stuff for me.

The sun was in his eyes. Don't ask me why he was the only one in the wall who felt the need to raise his arm to block the sun though.

 

[Lawman]

The sun was in his eyes. Don't ask me why he was the only one in the wall who felt the need to raise his arm to block the sun though.

So you have no idea either lol

 

[Sied]

So you have no idea either lol

The highlights on MOTD showed him chatting with de Gea and it was obvious from the hand signals that he was saying the sun was in his eyes and it glanced off his head. But no, I have no idea why he was the only one!

 

[OneUnited24]

The highlights on MOTD showed him chatting with de Gea and it was obvious from the hand signals that he was saying the sun was in his eyes and it glanced off his head. But no, I have no idea why he was the only one!

Maybe he was the only one bothered by it

 

[united_99]

He'll get plenty of games next season as well either in midfield or LB and it's not like Shaw can be relied on even to stay on the pitch a bit longer than Rafael.
Blind has had a good first 7-8 months for us, is adapting to a new league and has had a long season prior to that with the world cup. I am not worried at all about him.

 

[ivaldo]

Really accomplished half, a lot more like the Blind of the start of the season, has done a really good job of starving Giroud of ball and have worked the ball out of defense nicely, shame Smalling blocked his shot.

 

[Stobzilla]

Shut me right up. Good half.

 

[Ekeke]

Yep, back in the groove. Played very well so far. 88% pass accuracy from 36 passes (2nd to Ander) and 4 tackles in that 45 mins

 

[Alock1]

He was really good in that half. Very good at winning us the ball back and stopping any Arsenal momentum with his pressuring and positioning.

 

[Skills]

Excellent performance so far. At the right places and the right time. Much more disciplined.

 

[DevilRed]

Seems much more comfortable playing at home. Less pressure from the opponent and more time on the ball for him.

 

[Lawman]

He was really good in that half. Very good at winning us the ball back and stopping any Arsenal momentum with his pressuring and positioning.

I disagree, he played well but I don't think I've ever seen a midfielder lose so many 50/50s.

 

[Amar__]

He is much better than recently, but he can be even better than this(he was in first half of the season), that's why I think people are writing him off too early.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Much better from him, he has been poor recently. Looks more kike the Blind of the first half of the season. Unlucky not to score.

 

[Roman Bellic]

Seems much more comfortable playing at home. Less pressure from the opponent and more time on the ball for him.

yup.

 

[Alock1]

I disagree, he played well but I don't think I've ever seen a midfielder lose so many 50/50s.

Even when Arsenal won the first ball against him he was putting them under sufficient pressure to make it awkward for them and often after winning the first ball they gave away the 2nd.

 

[Walrus]

I don't think he has been playing fantastically well, he takes a few too many risks and isn't disciplined enough in the holding role at present.

He bombs forward into 50/50s and doesn't win them, too often.

I'm not worried as he is an intelligent player and I expect he will improve substantially at the club under LVG.

 

[Nighteyes]

He hasn't been great. very early on in the game was a deja vu of previous games. Went in hard to win a ball, lost it and then inevitably got caught behind the ball. Happened once more in the half.

 

[World Game]

Maybe its his Ajax background but he is quite focused at following the principle of winning the ball back within the first 5 seconds. When it works, it gives us a great position to counter-counter attack but when it fails we get quite exposed.

 

[DevilRed]

Solid but doesn't have the passing range of Carrick and hence can be perceived as quite negative in his approach.

I think he performs better at left back. Surely would be a better option there than Rojo or Blackett.

 

[darioterios]

Maybe its his Ajax background but he is quite focused at following the principle of winning the ball back within the first 5 seconds. When it works, it gives us a great position to counter-counter attack but when it fails we get quite exposed.

I'm surprised LvG hasn't put more correction to him

 

[RDCR07]

Solid but doesn't have the passing range of Carrick and hence can be perceived as quite negative in his approach.

I think he performs better at left back. Surely would be a better option there than Rojo or Blackett.

But he is too slow to play left back. In a back five, then yes he can play left full back. But not in a back four. He is far too exposed.

 

[Devil may care]

He was ok today, just don't see him there long term.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Totally anonymous once Arsenal cranked up the pressure, it is a theme with him.

 

[Sammyjunn]

But he is too slow to play left back. In a back five, then yes he can play left full back. But not in a back four. He is far too exposed.

Just like vs Spurs or Liverpool? When he was vs Sterling and Townsend?

 

[Henrik Larsson]

Such a shame his shot was blocked, 2-0 would've been the end of Arsenal.

 

[World Game]

I'm surprised LvG hasn't put more correction to him

Actually I suspect that LvG supports Blind doing that and may even me instructing him to do that. Quite certain that winning the ball back within the first few seconds is part of his philosophy.

 

[darioterios]

Actually I suspect that LvG supports Blind doing that and may even me instructing him to do that. Quite certain that winning the ball back within the first few seconds is part of his philosophy.

but then if there's only Blind who does that, the movement is not in sync with others like Herrera not being able to cover the vacant space Blind has left to press. That can lead to counter-attacks as anyone has clearly seen. Pressing should come as teamwork, why only leave for a single one to do that?

 

[World Game]

but then if there's only Blind who does that, the movement is not in sync with others like Herrera not being able to cover the vacant space Blind has left to press. That can lead to counter-attacks as anyone has clearly seen. Pressing should come as teamwork, why only leave for a single one to do that?

The players around the ball are quite quick to press as soon as we lose the ball especially in the opposition's half. In these scenarios though Blind is usually the only midfielder behind the ball so if he gets beaten the the rest of our defence is exposed.

 

[darioterios]

The players around the ball are quite quick to press as soon as we lose the ball especially in the opposition's half. In these scenarios though Blind is usually the only midfielder behind the ball so if he gets beaten the the rest of our defence is exposed.

But he is supposed to hold back and let the advanced guys press?

 

[Bwuk]

Best game for us in a while, but not good enough when under pressure.

 

[Water Melon]

but then if there's only Blind who does that, the movement is not in sync with others like Herrera not being able to cover the vacant space Blind has left to press. That can lead to counter-attacks as anyone has clearly seen. Pressing should come as teamwork, why only leave for a single one to do that?

Absolutely. We need to press as a team, otherwise Blind's usually left on his own. Once we sign another top class midfielder, Daley will shine.