I don't care where he plays, as long as he plays. Such an intelligent player who makes us more composed as a team.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 9
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 4
That's what I've been pointing out to JPRouve as the reason why he won't ever be a top-level box-to-box midfielder. He can't play like an aggressive tackler as that's not in his skill set, but there are always several moments each match where he tries to play like this, and he's been doing this for much of the second half of the season. I remember how, when Chadli moved over to the left in the first half, he was trying to push up on Chadli like he did on Townsend without even flustering Chadli. Thankfully, Jones did a very good job of mopping up the passes played through the left before Blind adjusted his game and became less aggressive during the second half.
Other than that, I'm glad to see you provide more info on Blind's beginnings. The fact that he played in several roles did contribute to his intelligent view of the game. It reminds me of how the Dutch players of the past were so comfortable in various positions. Still, didn't he have stints as a central defender other than under van Gaal at the World Cup last summer? I'm sure others mentioned this in this forum...
As you said, he'd be a 6-7/10 player just about everywhere, but for me, I'd rather see him bring in 8-9/10 performances as a holding midfielder rather than 6-7/10 performances as a box-to-box midfielder (however, I wouldn't mind seeing him at left back more often; holding midfielders like him are normally great at full back roles).
Ah sorry I missed that!
I forgot to include LCB to that list yes, although he hasn't played there much. The only time I remember him playing there was this season because of injury. My guess is that we'll see him as a LB/LWB and CDM only next season because he's genuienly good there. For this season he can do a job at BTB though (if LvG wants this), although like you've mentioned he's not great at it. But since Fellaini, Rooney and Mata all failed to claim this role we're now stuck with only Herrera there.
I think the reason he's been a bit more aggressive is because it's instructed. I don't think he's changed his playstyle by himself but was asked to do this by van Gaal as part of the gameplan. I find it a bit odd aswell but I think it's part of the pressing game we now play.
I get that feeling as well. I think van Gaal wants Blind to press the opposition so that we can win the ball and quickly release it forward. Still, though, he often presses at the wrong time and opens up spaces for the opposition to exploit. If he wants to continue playing like this, he'll have to time his presses better and learn when to press and when not to press, just like how Herrera's started pressing. Then, I wouldn't mind him pressing the ball holder.
Got to start for me. He's reads the game beautifully and if we ever need an 8/10 performance, it's against this next lot at Anfield. Although I really rate Shaw he's out of form and doesn't even look match fit. So, Blind to start at LB and Carrick and Hererra in midfield. Maybe the only change I'd make is Di Maria for Mata due to his pace on the counter attack.
He's a calming influence wherever he plays, and in what can be a manic back 4 its a good choice.
Although I do think at LB he will come up against challenges due to lack of pace. So he'll either need to be right on his game, or he may get done a few times, which isnt ideal.
Although for me Carrick in CM has a bit more to his game. Carrick and Blind could work against the teams with better midfields but personally for me Herrera needs to keep his place also.
Although I do think at LB he will come up against challenges due to lack of pace. So he'll either need to be right on his game, or he may get done a few times, which isnt ideal.
Although for me Carrick in CM has a bit more to his game. Carrick and Blind could work against the teams with better midfields but personally for me Herrera needs to keep his place also.
Mark my words. He will get the winner at Anfield.
How do we do that in the Caf?
Blind, Blind, wherever you may be, you smoke weed in your own country, could be worse, could be Scouse, smoking crack in their council house.
Heard this today, had me in stitches.
Heard this today, had me in stitches.
Liverpool 1:2 Man Utd
Solid from Blind, very hard game for a player with very little pace to play LB in, but he read things well as usual and did very well to win the penalty, he was exposed a bit by Carrick's mistake for the goal as he didn't have the acceleration to close Sturridge down.
Played well today, some thought he would have a meltdown against Sterling, he kept him quiet. His versatility is fantastic, no matter where you play him, he gets you 7/8 out of 10 performances.
He plays with great intensity! Love him.
Did okay. A bit questionable defensively I thought. Does well going forward, but I'd much prefer Shaw at LB.
I thought he gave Can a lot of problems from LB going forward. He got skinned once or twice by Sterling but offered a lot forward.
I thought he was a bit careless with his passing given his quality on the ball. Did reasonably well defensively, though not sure what he was doing on their goal. Won lots of tackles; that's a good sign. You'd expect Sterling to hurt us more so a decent job from Blind.
Wasnt his best game today but i cant fault him,he gave his best at that position which does not suit him 100%,cant ask more then that.
Not his best performance but he was very solid and proved to be a good outlet down the left hand side.
He was okay. Best moment was making an arse out of Can 
When at fullback he reminds me of a leftsided version of Gary Neville.
Defensively discipline, composed, great deliveries, clever interceptions, not the fastest but intelligent enough to not get in a rat race.
Defensively discipline, composed, great deliveries, clever interceptions, not the fastest but intelligent enough to not get in a rat race.
Defensively, not his best performance, but I'm putting that purely down to pace. He just doesn't have it, and he was up against players who have it in spades. He still rarely got done over by it, so no harm. From an attacking perspective, he looked really good. The time when he rinsed Can, and Can just fell sideways, was brilliant. He did well to win the penalty. Looked like he purposely slowed the play down and anticipated the shove in the back. It was a bit of a risk, but he executed it well if that's what he was trying to do. Blind ripped Can apart.
Very intelligent player,makes you realise football is not all about pace.
Did he even had one truly bad performance this season ? His consistency makes him already most trusted player among such names like Di Maria, Mata, Herrera, RVP, Rooney...
Right now probably only agent De Gea has that kind of stable form.
Right now probably only agent De Gea has that kind of stable form.
Was poor for the goal and also was the reason for Jones yellow. Maybe I was watching something else but, I found myself yelling at him (at the TV) a few times today. Still, he did well especially since he was up against the likes of Sterling out there.
Was solid. Unspectacular, but kept Sterling most quiet (well him and Brendan playing him at fullback...). I still prefer him has a DM but Carrick deserves to be playing in that role.
I imagine next season we may see more of Blind in DM and Shaw at LB
I imagine next season we may see more of Blind in DM and Shaw at LB
Thought he was a bit meh today, but a decent game I suppose. I like him though.
Good game from Blind today considering who he was up against. Needs to spend the summer increasing his speed and strength, then we really would have a player on our hands.
Thought exactly that. Terrific at keeping the ball ticking over accurately.
Not sure him and Carrick as a pair in centre mid is going to work too often, but instead of Carrick or left lack, very much so.
Wasn't really great defensively. And he suffered a bit when Young went off.
I liked how he played against Spurs, but today he was a bit mediocre in my opinion.
Thought he was easily our worst player today. Poor final ball, caught out for the goal we conceded, caused Jones' booking and generally didn't seem composed on the ball like he usually is.
overall he was good, great reading of the game and spirit.. but this unfortunately didn't make up for his lack of pace or strength. The sooner Shaw kicks on the better, we need different kind of player there. I am glad to start Blind over Rojo there though..
His midfield performances have been overrated quite a bit but I thought he was superb in the first half today. Not often a left-back has such an effect on the passing play.
My first-choice LB at the moment.
My first-choice LB at the moment.
It was different to Spurs as we were away to Liverpool. His pressing helped that Sterling had a rather quiet game
Better at left back than centre mid thats for sure and he is not bad at either to be fair. Great squad player to have and we have missed this for a while now. Just short of top class.
Been phenomenal as a left back last 2 games. He's a number of notches below the superb Carrick in centre-midfield.
That was pure class.