I think physical presence matters in midfield especially when you the defensive holding mid. If you get pushed off the ball, then the attack is staring straight down your defense with no backup. Youre sort of the last line of defense before they reach your actual defense. So a CDM needs to be strong on and off the ball, not just when tackling. The 50-50s you have to win those.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 9
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 4
Yeah I remember at least 2 occasions where he floated into space at a jog and intercepted passes. Negated the need to tackle. Brilliant.
If you have the mental ability to read play and have excellent movement, like these guys do, and have the ability to ride a tackle a la Silva, Di Maria etc, you don't need size.
Indeed. And he made a number of slide tackles too. Aggression and size don't go hand in hand.
Blind came to the club for Fletcher. It's Strootman I think who will be the next 'Carrick' but that's just an opinion.
is he praising his own debut?Good performance by him. He bounced off opponents a couple of times too easily but he seems to he a nice tidy efficient and hardworking player. Hopefully he carries on in games with less space in the same way.
Ok the opposition wasn't that great - but he was my MOTM by far and I can over the last 25 or so years remember few players who dominated so completely on their debut.
It was a 9 out of 10 performance from Daley
It was a 9 out of 10 performance from Daley
Very good performance. Seems a bright player who sensed danger well and used the ball efficiently with good awareness.
Him and Herrera provided so much energy in there today. Was refreshing to see.
Him and Herrera provided so much energy in there today. Was refreshing to see.
Excellent debut. Should've got him into the squad as soon as Holland were done in Brazil if he's going to play like that in midfield!
Very composed, was everywhere and brought stability, awareness and energy to our game. Only 24, too. Very happy with him, great debut!
Bring in Strootman (which I think is inevitable) and ship out Anderson (also inevitable), Fellaini, and Fletcher and our midfield really will be set for the next 5 years or so
Di Maria/Herrera/Strootman/Blind/Carrick as our midfield options
His positional discipline for his age was unreal. He was always available for our center backs, covered for Herrera and di Maria going out wide and kept sensing any danger. What a fantastic debut!
I've been thinking about that, if we do indeed go for Strootman where does that leave Blind...
Linked defence to midfield, always available and protected the back four with his positioning.
We've done alright here, absolute feckin bargain.
We've done alright here, absolute feckin bargain.
Said it in the match thread, he was far quicker, and more mobile than the reputation that preceded him.
he actually surprised me with the shot, I never though he could use that much power.. herrera as well, I want to see more goals from our midfielders and as soon as there is always some player coming in the second wave and firing it home I'll be delighted
I'm gutted I missed the game but my ABU mates said Blind was excellent. Anybody care to give me the lowdown?
I've said it quite a few times already, one of our most important signings this summer.
I've said it quite a few times already, one of our most important signings this summer.
Can't believe he's only 24. Hope he becomes a mainstay in our CM for the years to come.
Carrick seems finished tbf. So far the ones that were rubbish last year under Moyes aren't showing any signs of improving under Van Gaal and I don't think Carrick at 34 is going to be much better either.Di Maria/Herrera/Strootman/Blind/Carrick
Just look at those options
For somebody aged only 24, in his first game in a new country, at a club and stadium as big as ours, in a team where most of the players barely know each other .... cant think of more difficult circumstances to make ones debut .... it was an exceptional performance.
He glided around in front of our defence mopping up passes and linking effortlessly with Herrera. He can tackle, has great positional sense and a real no frills approach to passing. Im assuming LVG knows this player's potential very well and so hope Blind will turn into a "Carrick' like signing. From todays debut, he solves a lot of our midfield issues.
Possibly the most under-rated of our summer signings but now, Im really looking forward to seeing more of him.
He glided around in front of our defence mopping up passes and linking effortlessly with Herrera. He can tackle, has great positional sense and a real no frills approach to passing. Im assuming LVG knows this player's potential very well and so hope Blind will turn into a "Carrick' like signing. From todays debut, he solves a lot of our midfield issues.
Possibly the most under-rated of our summer signings but now, Im really looking forward to seeing more of him.
So easy to forget that he's still so young. Add Herrera (25) and Di Maria (26) to that as well.
And Rojo (24) and Shaw (19)
Di Maria/Herrera/Strootman/Blind/Carrick
Just look at those options
100% agreed. If we can get in one more world class central midfield player (which we surely will before next season), our midfield is stocked more than well enough to cope at the top levels of Euro football.
If we can strengthen in defence this winter, LVG will have laid down the solid formations for a very strong attack for trophies for his remaining 2.5 year contract and beyond.
Still early days and came against an incredibly shitty QPR team, but very happy with his performance. Looks like he's what we've been missing in midfield. For the first time in what seems like forever, our midfield was a strength instead of a weakness. Vidal who?
I guess we all were a bit surprised when we saw him play. He adds well needed protection and balance to the team and gives the other players the freedom to express their creativity and skills. Wonderful debut and he seems to be a brilliant talent
So solid. Liked his link-up between back 4 and MF.
So much focus on our attacking acquisitions, he has come in under the radar and was frankly dam impressive.
DM, but still a tonne more forward passes than Cleverley. SMH.
By far? High praise considering Di Maria looked unplayable today
If his passing range can be worked on he could become a real little maestro, but then again we have more attacking players around him so I guess a simple ball into them would be better.
He just looks calmer with the ball evrn when taking it under pressure. It was like a hot potato with Cleverley.
Think people are getting carried away because its night and day between him Fletcher and Cleverley. He has his limitations but will be a good addition for us.
He speaks English? Nice.
Looks intelligent with his movement, keeps it simple with his passing and doesn't try anything fancy. Was treated like a small boy by Fer a few times but solid start and he won't always come up against big, physical centre mids every week.
He'll improve with a bit more confidence and familiarity with the team.
He'll improve with a bit more confidence and familiarity with the team.
Fantastic performance today, kept it simple and protected the back four nicely. Gained more confidence as the game went on, hence the late shot. Hopefully he can keep this up, and continue to grow! Reminds me of Carrick a couple seasons ago when he just quietly went about his business.
Thats the only thing that worries me. I'd hate to see what Toure would do to him.
For those that have watched him at Ajax, does he usually struggle with physical players?
Blind is a far better DM than Strootman. The latter is a more a box to box midfielder, who can also play as DM. Stootman would compete with Herrera more than with Blind.
Henry Winter @henrywinter · 4h Daley Blind won't get the headlines - Di Maria will - but the Dutchman was just what #mufc needed, shielding back-four and launching moves
Very pleased with his performance. He showed great awareness with his reading of the game and his positioning all match and barely put a pass wrong. I never even knew who he was before the world cup, and now he looks a very nice fit into the holding defensive midfield role. He offers a lot more than a lot of other DM's in the league who are only there to destroy and get the ball away ASAP. Blind looks composed, his passing range was admirable, and he even took a few opportunities to get forward when he knew it was safe. ADM was my MOM, but Blind wasn't far off second, with Herrera third. I think Herrera and Blind can form a nice partnership. Bring in the likes of Strootman next year, and we are rolling in the center of the park again.