[Lawman]

Nah, for all his brilliant moments, he is still showing a lot of mistakes for someone at 60m. LVG describes them as "unnecessary losses of possession" namely misplaced passes and the overly excessive amount of crossing he does. I don't think anyone else in the team crosses the ball as much as he does. He should realize by now that his crosses have never resulted in anything for us yet. Of course, when he decides to do something else other than hoof the ball into the box, it is usually brilliant and ends up in a goal for us. I mean, the first time he decided to not hoof the ball into the box against Everton, Falcao scored. And that's why Blind is the most value for money.

I'm not sure if you are on a wind up or not? Can't see the white text! We have bought someone who is easily ranked as one of the top 3 players in the league. I'd say he's the best and for £60m that for me will be value. Blind has done well but I feel he will end up as a very good squad player when we buy a Strootman type. Plus with Carrick back I think Carrick will prove to be better.

 

[World Game]

Completely disagree with this. His crosses have been pin point with a beautiful arc on them. Yes, he puts in a long one once in a while but he mixes it up perfectly. He dribbles it wide, sometimes he dribbles and cuts into the centre and also puts in long crosses. keeps the opposition on their toes. It's never a repetition. It's upto the strikers to anticipate how the ball will arrive and utilize it to the maximum. Our forwards movement in the box is a bit underwhelming when you see the available talent. They need to get on the end of those crosses. More frequently he'll lose possession but that's allowed. He's the creative heart of the team and we don't play tiki-taka. As long as we have the better overall possession he can pull of as many risky passes he wants. There's a very good chance it'll end up with a goal.

Coming back to the topic at hand, 60M can never be a value signing for me. He's expected to be doing unseen magical shit for that kind of money. Blind on the other hand is a good example of value for money.

As you mentioned he is the creative heart of the team and the whole point of having creative players is so the team is creative and doesn't have to resort to something like crossing. There are times when it is correct to send in a cross but for the most part, crossing is the most basic form of attack in football, usually something one does when they can't or fail to go through the middle. Keep in mind though that I am referring to head height crosses. I believe in 2011, 1.6% of all crosses lead to goals in the league. (So far 0% of Di Maria's crosses have lead to goals for us) It is an art reliant on quantity, not quality, something that weaker teams without the creativity of the likes of Di Maria resort to. I admire the world class plays Di Maria makes when he is not sending in crosses, but when he is, he is disappointing because that is something he can very easily improve on. I admire that he is trying to mix things up, but in his case, it is simply too much because it is not also the first time. At the world cup, no other player sent in as many crosses as Di Maria. Like all good players, Di Maria has his flaws and this is his one. If you want to talk more about it we should move to the Di Maria thread.

I'm not sure if you are on a wind up or not? Can't see the white text! We have bought someone who is easily ranked as one of the top 3 players in the league. I'd say he's the best and for £60m that for me will be value. Blind has done well but I feel he will end up as a very good squad player when we buy a Strootman type. Plus with Carrick back I think Carrick will prove to be better.

Ok I take back the words "a lot of" but he is stilling make uncharacteristic mistakes for a 60M signing with an example above. Strootman is a #8,not a #6. Carrick and Blind are very similar players but the difference is that Blind has been brought up with Ajax and also that Carrick is 33. Maybe under a team with the typical English philosophy, Blind would be a squad player but not under LVG philosophy.

 

[Xaviesta]

As you mentioned he is the creative heart of the team and the whole point of having creative players is so the team is creative and doesn't have to resort to something like crossing. There are times when it is correct to send in a cross but for the most part, crossing is the most basic form of attack in football, usually something one does when they can't or fail to go through the middle. Keep in mind though that I am referring to head height crosses. I believe in 2011, 1.6% of all crosses lead to goals in the league. (So far 0% of Di Maria's crosses have lead to goals for us) It is an art reliant on quantity, not quality, something that weaker teams without the creativity of the likes of Di Maria resort to. I admire the world class plays Di Maria makes when he is not sending in crosses, but when he is, he is disappointing because that is something he can very easily improve on. I admire that he is trying to mix things up, but in his case, it is simply too much because it is not also the first time. At the world cup, no other player sent in as many crosses as Di Maria. Like all good players, Di Maria has his flaws and this is his one. If you want to talk more about it we should move to the Di Maria thread.



Ok I take back the words "a lot of" but he is stilling make uncharacteristic mistakes for a 60M signing with an example above. Strootman is a #8,not a #6. Carrick and Blind are very similar players but the difference is that Blind has been brought up with Ajax and also that Carrick is 33. Maybe under a team with the typical English philosophy, Blind would be a squad player but not under LVG philosophy.

Blind would have been classed as too small by most English/British coaches despite being 6ft.

 

[Nighteyes]

Ok I take back the words "a lot of" but he is stilling make uncharacteristic mistakes for a 60M signing with an example above. Strootman is a #8,not a #6. Carrick and Blind are very similar players but the difference is that Blind has been brought up with Ajax and also that Carrick is 33. Maybe under a team with the typical English philosophy, Blind would be a squad player but not under LVG philosophy.

What is this even supposed to mean? Carrick is a brilliant player no matter what 'philosophy' is being used. The only thing Blind has over Carrick is more mobility (Not that Blind is very mobile either). In all the other areas Carrick is better and if he can regain his pre-Moyes form then he's ahead of Blind for my money.

 

[MDFC Manager]

What is this even supposed to mean? Carrick is a brilliant player no matter what 'philosophy' is being used. The only thing Blind has over Carrick is more mobility (Not that Blind is very mobile either). In all the other areas Carrick is better and if he can regain his pre-Moyes form then he's ahead of Blind for my money.

Spot on. Put Carrick alongside Di Maria and Herrera and he'll hit form too, IMO.

 

[Litch]

Carricks a quality player but Blind is the future, and Carrick represents the past. Not saying he hasn't got things he can offer but Blind tackles more and has had more shots already even if off target than Carrick in the last 2 seasons.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Carricks a quality player but Blind is the future, and Carrick represents the past. Not saying he hasn't got things he can offer but Blind tackles more and has had more shots already even if off target than Carrick in the last 2 seasons.

Yea fair points. Blind plays further up the pitch too. Not by much but a bit more than Carrick

 

[m1y2]

What is this even supposed to mean? Carrick is a brilliant player no matter what 'philosophy' is being used. The only thing Blind has over Carrick is more mobility (Not that Blind is very mobile either). In all the other areas Carrick is better and if he can regain his pre-Moyes form then he's ahead of Blind for my money.

That's the problem with Carrick, over three years we relied on player who is decent and when he hits the form can be very useful but apart his one season he wasn't anywhere near top class. He should be classified as squad player at best and still some people claim he should start. We should have raised the level of our midfielders long time ago, that is why we had these problems in last couple of seasons. Anyway we are in this process of rebuilding and it needs time get the right players in the team. Herrera is excellent acquisition the lowest level player we should be looking for. Di María is world class. Blind is good by as well but no more than that HE also should be future squad player. He doesn't have high ceiling and we should go for better players or give our youth chance. I believe Ben Pearson can be better player as he is 5 years younger and looking already decent in that position but wasn't given trust yet..

As for Blind vs Carrick I would prefer Blind as he is more mobile than Carras who will be 34 but none of them looks like they would boss the midfield but we will see when Herrera is back and helps the defense enough he can make look players around him better which is what we will be expecting from him this season..

 

[Nighteyes]

That's the problem with Carrick, over three years we relied on player who is decent and when he hits the form can be very useful but apart his one season he wasn't anywhere near top class. He should be classified as squad player at best and still some people claim he should start. We should have raised the level of our midfielders long time ago, that is why we had these problems in last couple of seasons. Anyway we are in this process of rebuilding and it needs time get the right players in the team. Herrera is excellent acquisition the lowest level player we should be looking for. Di María is world class. Blind is good by as well but no more than that HE also should be future squad player. He doesn't have high ceiling and we should go for better players or give our youth chance. I believe Ben Pearson can be better player as he is 5 years younger and looking already decent in that position but wasn't given trust yet..

As for Blind vs Carrick I would prefer Blind as he is more mobile than Carras who will be 34 but none of them looks like they would boss the midfield but we will see when Herrera is back and helps the defense enough he can make look players around him better which is what we will be expecting from him this season..

Carrick was more than just decent. He's been brilliant for us and in the latter years he's had to deal with midfield partners of the caliber of Tom Cleverley, Fellaini, Anderson and Giggs/Scholes whose legs had gone. He did as much as any man could given the circumstances.

Put the mobility of Di Maria and Herrera either side of him and watch him return to his old self.

 

[itso 7]

Carrick was more than just decent. He's been brilliant for us and in the latter years he's had to deal with midfield partners of the caliber of Tom Cleverley, Fellaini, Anderson and Giggs/Scholes whose legs had gone. He did as much as any man could given the circumstances.

Put the mobility of Di Maria and Herrera either side of him and watch him return to his old self.

Carrick thrives when he doesn't have to move forward a lot which is why he was perfect alongside Giggs and Rooney in the second half of 2011. He revelled in that sitting role allowing Giggs to do his thing, now even if he is older he will also thrive alongside Herrera since Herrera is more than helpful defensively, that is before considering the Di Maria fear factor and the fact that he is a tenacious little so and so himself. I like Blind and think that he will play a huge role for us, if he develops further, but a fully fit Carrick starts for me, every time.

 

[dutchred]

I think in the big games Blind, Carrick and Herrera will start. ADM will behind 2 from RVP, Rooney and Falcao

 

[bugmat]

Well, that's the reason. He is entirely different player when he plays as a DM.

Shhh no logic, only extreme opinions please!

 

[Isotope]

Carricks a quality player but Blind is the future, and Carrick represents the past. Not saying he hasn't got things he can offer but Blind tackles more and has had more shots already even if off target than Carrick in the last 2 seasons.

What has 'he has more off target shots already' got to do with being a better DM?? It's like saying Lescott has more goals than Rio, hence he's a better CB.

 

[matherto]

In big matches I think we need both Carrick and Blind and also think they'll do well together. Both need options for passes and a bit of mobility around them though and we've got that now.

 

[Sammyjunn]

In big matches I think we need both Carrick and Blind and also think they'll do well together. Both need options for passes and a bit of mobility around them though and we've got that now.

Isnt it time to stop going in defense mode? If we do that, every match the pressure will be on us, and with our defence sooner or later we'll get slammed. We should think about our own qualities, you also dont see City putting Milner as a #10 or Yaya Toure as a 10 for more stability.

 

[matherto]

Isnt it time to stop going in defense mode? If we do that, every match the pressure will be on us, and with our defence sooner or later we'll get slammed. We should think about our own qualities, you also dont see City putting Milner as a #10 or Yaya Toure as a 10 for more stability.

We're too open to just go gung ho against the likes of City and Chelsea. You don't see City changing because they're already solid enough.

We try and just attack one of them two and we'll lose 6-1 again.

 

[Sammyjunn]

We're too open to just go gung ho against the likes of City and Chelsea. You don't see City changing because they're already solid enough.

We try and just attack one of them two and we'll lose 6-1 again.

A midfield which contains Blind, Herrera, di Maria isnt too attacking at all. Blind is a pure CVM, Herrera a box to box who is very good defensively and works extremely hard, and di Maria also a very hard worker. Our midfield is defensively more stable than lets say Arsenal's midfield or City's midfield.

 

[matherto]

A midfield which contains Blind, Herrera, di Maria isnt too attacking at all. Blind is a pure CVM, Herrera a box to box who is very good defensively and works extremely hard, and di Maria also a very hard worker. Our midfield is defensively more stable than lets say Arsenal's midfield or City's midfield.

Leicester proved otherwise.

QPR proved otherwise when they remembered they actually had to have a go.

Teams have just waltzed through us for as long as I can remember, we need more stability and cover defensively otherwise against the better teams we'll get dry bummed.

 

[ivaldo]

What has 'he has more off target shots already' got to do with being a better DM?? It's like saying Lescott has more goals than Rio, hence he's a better CB.

Yeah being able to score goals is a definite negative... He didn't say that it was blinds only strength over Carrick, nor did he indicative it was exhaustive, so why pretend he's listed it as his only quality, you may not agree but come on.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Leicester proved otherwise.

QPR proved otherwise when they remembered they actually had to have a go.

Teams have just waltzed through us for as long as I can remember, we need more stability and cover defensively otherwise against the better teams we'll get dry bummed.

That was not due to our midfield, but due to our defence who were shambles. (Blackett for example). We had literally no problems vs QPR btw. But more important, its not like Carrick will do the work, he is no Martinez/Alonso/Matic etc, if we play Blind/Carrick, I reckon we'll never win a top match.

 

[matherto]

That was not due to our midfield, but due to our defence who were shambles. (Blackett for example). We had literally no problems vs QPR btw. But more important, its not like Carrick will do the work, he is no Martinez/Alonso/Matic etc, if we play Blind/Carrick, I reckon we'll never win a top match.

It was exactly due to our midfield. Opposition runners breaking through the lines and either dribbling or getting passed the ball and then they're immediately onto our defence. We used to get away with it years ago but obviously with the shambles that we are now we can't.

QPR had three seperate opportunities where they should have scored.

 

[Hed Zitin]

I'd like it if someone filled in for him occasionally and let him go out wide to put a cross into the box. He's very good at it.

 

[Decotron]

Part of another dodgy Dutch performance again tonight. Not sure hes a real option for us at left back.

 

[ipodnani]

Yeah Blind looks pretty woeful as a Left-Back. It must be said, he sprints like he's on a treadmill...

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Yeah Blind looks pretty woeful as a Left-Back. It must be said, he sprints like he's on a treadmill...

Don't like him at LB, thought he was a threat going forward. Why do they not play him in midfield like we do? The defence was woeful.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

He's far more comfortable in midfield. Didn't expect him to be this good really. i agree with the sentiment that he should be played ahead of Carrick if it comes to a toss up between the both of them. Otherwise, playing them both together shouldn't be discounted either; having Carrick sitting as a platform at the base of midfield could free Blind to play higher up.

 

[LR7]

LvG hasn't played him at LB for us at all yet and it isn't as if the opportunity hasn't been there.

 

[Gannicus]

Blind and Carrick are more than good enough to ensure we land a top four position by May. The real question is whether we need a more pure defensive midfielder such as Strootman or an all around midfielder such as Vidal to complete the project going into next season when we'll challenge for the prem trophy AND compete in the CL.

We just don't have the answer yet, but we'll know a lot more about what Blind is capable when we get through festive season and we're into a new transfer window.

 

[itso 7]

Blind and Carrick are more than good enough to ensure we land a top four position by May. The real question is whether we need a more pure defensive midfielder such as Strootman or an all around midfielder such as Vidal to complete the project going into next season when we'll challenge for the prem trophy AND compete in the CL.

We just don't have the answer yet, but we'll know a lot more about what Blind is capable when we get through festive season and we're into a new transfer window.

I think a lot will depend on how he and Herrera settle into their roles. If Herrera continues as he has been- bordering on world class- then we could spend on a more defensive option. On the other hand if Blind acquits himself well in the biggest games then I don't see the reason for splashing on a DM. We could keep Carrick around, fill out the squad with the likes of Pearson and Perreira and spend big on a world class wide attacker. It all rests on how they perform this season.

 

[Snow]

The only threat from Netherlands tonight was from Blind's crossing. He's a good player.

 

[Kag]

"Woeful?" Give over.

I'll admit I didn't watch all of the game but his crossing was their main source of creativity in the second half. He's clearly an acceptable option at left back if push came to shove.

 

[Devil may care]

Are the Dutch really short of LB options? It would seem to make more sense to play Blind in midfield instead of De Jong if they have someone else to play LB.

 

[sullydnl]

Blind and Carrick are more than good enough to ensure we land a top four position by May. The real question is whether we need a more pure defensive midfielder such as Strootman or an all around midfielder such as Vidal to complete the project going into next season when we'll challenge for the prem trophy AND compete in the CL.

We just don't have the answer yet, but we'll know a lot more about what Blind is capable when we get through festive season and we're into a new transfer window.

Is Strootman a pure defensive midfielder? I've never heard him described in that way before.

 

[mazhar13]

Is Strootman a pure defensive midfielder? I've never heard him described in that way before.

Nope, he's a box-to-box midfielder who's defensively adept, which is probably why many refer to him as a defensive midfielder.

With Blind, I haven't watched the match, but going by the comments, I'm not too surprised that he doesn't look comfortable defending as a left back. He even struggled playing as a left central defender. For some very strange reason, Blind seems to be worse defensively out wide than in the middle. This really surprises me as he covers a smaller area when defending out wide than when defending in the middle. He often gets caught out when playing on the left side, but in the middle, he takes excellent positions and is able to recover when he's out of position.

This really is strange to me...

 

[thepolice123]

Blind and Carrick are more than good enough to ensure we land a top four position by May. The real question is whether we need a more pure defensive midfielder such as Strootman or an all around midfielder such as Vidal to complete the project going into next season when we'll challenge for the prem trophy AND compete in the CL.

We just don't have the answer yet, but we'll know a lot more about what Blind is capable when we get through festive season and we're into a new transfer window.

Strootman's not a pure defensive midfielder.

 

[LR7]

Won't embed but this is his interview from Soccer Saturday for anyone who missed it:

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/vid...he-best#ooid=FwcXM2cTrw-KsRTd-EtjcPBOuz0_try9

 

[Mindhunter]

Completely disagree with this. His crosses have been pin point with a beautiful arc on them. Yes, he puts in a long one once in a while but he mixes it up perfectly. He dribbles it wide, sometimes he dribbles and cuts into the centre and also puts in long crosses. keeps the opposition on their toes. It's never a repetition. It's upto the strikers to anticipate how the ball will arrive and utilize it to the maximum. Our forwards movement in the box is a bit underwhelming when you see the available talent. They need to get on the end of those crosses. More frequently he'll lose possession but that's allowed. He's the creative heart of the team and we don't play tiki-taka. As long as we have the better overall possession he can pull of as many risky passes he wants. There's a very good chance it'll end up with a goal.

Coming back to the topic at hand, 60M can never be a value signing for me. He's expected to be doing unseen magical shit for that kind of money. Blind on the other hand is a good example of value for money.

Do you think Bale is a better player than him? We would have never got him if Madrid didn't feck it up (even if we threw 60m at them). We are extremely lucky to have him even at that price.

 

[ryan_forlan]

Nope, he's a box-to-box midfielder who's defensively adept, which is probably why many refer to him as a defensive midfielder.

With Blind, I haven't watched the match, but going by the comments, I'm not too surprised that he doesn't look comfortable defending as a left back. He even struggled playing as a left central defender. For some very strange reason, Blind seems to be worse defensively out wide than in the middle. This really surprises me as he covers a smaller area when defending out wide than when defending in the middle. He often gets caught out when playing on the left side, but in the middle, he takes excellent positions and is able to recover when he's out of position.

This really is strange to me...

This could be due to his lack of pace.

 

[MJJ]

Completely disagree with this. His crosses have been pin point with a beautiful arc on them. Yes, he puts in a long one once in a while but he mixes it up perfectly. He dribbles it wide, sometimes he dribbles and cuts into the centre and also puts in long crosses. keeps the opposition on their toes. It's never a repetition. It's upto the strikers to anticipate how the ball will arrive and utilize it to the maximum. Our forwards movement in the box is a bit underwhelming when you see the available talent. They need to get on the end of those crosses. More frequently he'll lose possession but that's allowed. He's the creative heart of the team and we don't play tiki-taka. As long as we have the better overall possession he can pull of as many risky passes he wants. There's a very good chance it'll end up with a goal.

Coming back to the topic at hand, 60M can never be a value signing for me. He's expected to be doing unseen magical shit for that kind of money. Blind on the other hand is a good example of value for money.

Think he has been doing that for what its worth, shoots a lot for my liking but dont mind as our other attackers arent really in the best of form.

 

[mazhar13]

This could be due to his lack of pace.

I do acknowledge your point here and believe that you've made a fair point as players with a lack of pace have a tough time recovering against pacy players, but players who have very good spatial awareness and read the dribbler well (i.e. very good man marker) can make up for their lack of pace. Blind has shown very good spatial awareness and reads the game very well. I believe his primary issue may be his man-marking. It seems to me that he often overcommits in closing down his man, and this results in the opposition taking advantage of him overcommitting. It's probably the reason why he's an average left back but very good defensive midfielder.

Pace would be useful for below-par man-markers who can recover their position and standing against their opponent. It's why many of today's full/wing backs get away with their not-so-good defending due to their abundance of pace (Alba, Bernat, Moreno, Alves, etc.).

I just realised that I answered my own question lol.