I thought they did well, but we never did come under sustained pressure from crosses, more long balls from deep which gave Smalling time to get some well-timed headers in. Early days, though I'd still be happier with a specialist centreback.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 56
- Clean sheets
- 22
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
I thought they did well, but we never did come under sustained pressure from crosses, more long balls from deep which gave Smalling time to get some well-timed headers in. Early days, though I'd still be happier with a specialist centreback.
It is quite a good sign how rarely he has a poor game. He was solid at left back last season, more then solid so far as a CB, which I assume is a position he hasn't really played before. LVG saw something and Daley seems to be quite comfortable with and confident about the position change. Few players seem to have as much trust from LVG as does Daley. Must be somewhat surreal that he has managed both Daley and Danny Blind, same versatility, same consistency, like vader like son
I've kept schdum with this Blind at CB business, so I'm not a hypocrite when I say I'm really chuffed to see him excel at CB over the past couple of games. Think it was a good idea from LVG to plop him there. It's great to have a ball-playing CB next to Smalling. Blind just seems so comfortable on the ball at the back that it just puts me right at ease when we're playing with the ball back there.
May not be the most physical of players but didn't seem to struggle against Gestede when he came on today.
I actually won't mind if we don't get a CB. Smalling and Blind/Rojo will do me fine.
May not be the most physical of players but didn't seem to struggle against Gestede when he came on today.
I actually won't mind if we don't get a CB. Smalling and Blind/Rojo will do me fine.
I'm gutted he's got rid of the man bun. He played very well tonight, as for him playing centre half long term I'm not sure. I think he'll struggle against some of the better teams in the league.
Great distribution
Wasn't tested but still
Wasn't tested but still
Good tonight. Up against shit though. When he's up against anyone decent he'll be in trouble. Still like him though.
Lets wait til we play against a good side, then we can judge him properly. I still want Otamendi
His passing was so crisp today, arguably we could've done with him in DM.
Worse thing is when he makes an inevitable mistake that a defender normally makes then this place will explode. We've got to decide if what we are seeing is worth it & give him time to improve there.
He's not rated highly by a lot of posters and it is a bit bizarre given how solid he's been for us in 3 positions now, it's probably because a section of the Caf seem to rate players on their physical attributes as opposed to footballing qualities and Blind isn't particularly strong or quick.
He had a good debut season last year but the final 5-6 games he somehow became a scapegoat and retrospectfully became shite and a bad signing in the eyes of many for some reason, as soon as LVG started this experiment most already had their minds made up about him and still do.
He's a good player and while not a permanent solution he'll do a job.
He's a good player and while not a permanent solution he'll do a job.
Tottenham & villa arnt exactly the shittest clubs. I'd give him the chance of being a permanent fixture at CB if he continues it. 2 clean sheets cant be a fluke as much as 2 goals from our attackers shows their current inabilities.
How about shouldering most of the footballing responsibilities when we were pressed high up, bringing the ball out without resorting to long balls, easing pressure on the defence by maintaining possession whilst under heavy pressure? If we're talking proactive here, then lets talk about why Romero and Blind had "barely" anything to do, and the answer lies somewhere in between Smalling's defensive ability and Blind's organisational intelligence. Without Daley shouldering almost all the buildup from the back, Smalling would have a whole lot more to defend.
Seems like the critics of Blind seem more focused on things he can't do with little credit given to what he brings to the table. I'd still prefer that he not be a first choice CB for us, but he's been very solid thus far in 2 PL matches. Smalling and Blind really seem to complement each other well.
He's just a very good footballer. Glad he's getting the credit his performances merit. Deserved man of the match.
That was never in doubt, that's the reason he was being played there but the questions everyone else had about him playing that position was if he had the defensive ability to keep up with quick attackers and how he'd fare when he has to defend a brute.
Unlike what my post suggets, I rate Blind very highly, I thought he had an excellent debut season both as a midfielder and as a left back but the question is still very much in doubt if he can play center back as something more than a hobby.
I'd like to see him vs the best, Aguero, Costa, Benteke. If he can handle them then there's no reason why he can't be a permanent ball playing CB for years to come. He's too negative and safe for midfield or LB. CB may be perfect for him. Excited for his and Smalling's partnership.
Considering how important it is to Van Gaal to have a centre back who can carry the ball out and is comfortable with it I think we would be silly to drop Blind for either Jones of Rojo at the moment. It would be understandable if you could argue they are better more natural defenders but it's no coincidence we look at our best with Blind there.
It was always nice to feel calm when the ball went near our defence which with Rojo or particularly Jones I never do. It's a big compliment from someone like Neville to recognise how good he has been and was as i'm sure he will have been watching with interest.
It was always nice to feel calm when the ball went near our defence which with Rojo or particularly Jones I never do. It's a big compliment from someone like Neville to recognise how good he has been and was as i'm sure he will have been watching with interest.
Only an idiot would ever label Blind a bad signing. His versatility is much-needed. I wasn't convinced about him playing CB, but so far, so good. We're lucky to have him on the team.
Agreed that jury is still out on Blind as CB as he's yet to be tested against a decent team in form with strikers who can be considered best in PL. But he was not negative when playing LB. That is kind of strange accusation towards him. He was always complimenting Young and even in NT where he played LB, he was quick to get into attacking positions. Even in DM, he'd go chasing balls higher up the pitch and also scored few goals from that position, WBA and WHU comes to mind.
Yeah, agreed with all of this. Especially the bit in bold. Though I wouldn't say he's a negative/safe full back, but it definitely applies to him in midfield.
His secure, accurate passing is nice and all that, but isn't forward-thinking, zippy, quick, or positive enough for midfield, but perfect for centre back.
Will be interesting to see him up against the big boys, like you say.
I doubted him a lot prior to this game so I've got to give the credit where it's due. Top performance from him which hopefully he'll continue to display.
Smalling and Blind actually looks a decent partnership.
Smalling and Blind actually looks a decent partnership.
Keeping a clean sheet against the hot property in England Harry Kane who half the caf wants to buy isn't good enough? I mean I want him to keep this up to believe he can do it for the long term as well but some of you talk like he's been playing against a man on a wheelchair.
Blank his name with Otamendi and read the reviews of his performance.
Man has been fantastic in the last 2 games, credit where it's due
Man has been fantastic in the last 2 games, credit where it's due
Been very good at CB, which I didn't really expect. I do think he's better than Rojo at LB (maybe not if the other team is counter-attacking and has crazy pace out RW, as I remember what Yedlin did to him in that friendly this summer) and when Carrick moves on he'll get more matches at DM, too, so he'll get playing time somewhere or another.
So can the people that flamed LVG for putting Blind CB stand in a line so we can mocking you?
Rating at the top is from the first game. The average from both games will be there in a day or two when voting closes.
Doing much better than I thought he would. Proving me very wrong. Hope he can keep it up.
We should probably try playing him up front, because apparently he can literally play well anywhere. I am still cautious about him at CB, but it would be great if he could grow into the role. For those saying it's only because we haven't played anyone decent yet - can you imagine us plugging in any other players into central defence and keeping two clean sheets? I've seen Carrick look less comfortable in that position than Blind has so far
Smalling mostly looked after Kane. Kane was poor also.
Had a very good game yesterday. Maybe there could be a future for him at CB.
I really did think the Blind experiment would end badly and quickly, but I must say he has done a REALLY good job. It probably helps that Smalling takes on a lot of the man marking jobs against 1 striker, where as Blind is the sweeper, but even when challenged he won most of his tackles and I swear he even outjumped Gestede at 1 stage, couldn't believe that 
It probably helps that having Shaw and Darmian on the wings makes us extra solid, but our defence these 2 last games have looked it's been for quite a while.
It probably helps that having Shaw and Darmian on the wings makes us extra solid, but our defence these 2 last games have looked it's been for quite a while.
I'm not sure what you want him to do in a game to show he was good. Kane was made to look poor because Smalling and Blind got to the ball before him every time. The mark of a good CB is not getting noticed, Rio Ferdinand being a prime example of that. Such a poor attitude towards a player who's been equally a part of the defensive unit as anyone else in keeping it safe at the back two games running.
Making me eat my words so far. Really didn't fancy him at CB, thought his pace, height and strength would get found out. It's still early days but he's looking imperious so far. A real bonus!
Still don't think he's the long term answer in central defence, but he's been fine so far this season.
Good to have a player like Blind in the squad.
Good to have a player like Blind in the squad.
I don't really see where I have critisised him at all.
"up against shit" "when he's up against decent" is taking credit away from a very good performance against one of the currently hottest prospects in the country.
Sadly I think there a fair few Football fans like this these days. Not just United. I agree with your general point though.
I don't know what it is about him, but I just have no problem with him with anything.
Other than something stupid like playing up top,or in goal, I don't think I would be overly concerned where he was asked to play at any given time as he seems to know his limitations and plays within them as best as he can to do the job he is asked to do.
Prime example of this is these two games at CB, you haven't seen him "do an Evans" when they brought the big man on, which is to say, play right up against him to the point where you can be beaten with knock downs, be rolled and end up having to drag the man down, concede a foul because you have to play through the player etc.
He stood off, leaving enough room to run in to make clearing headers, he didn't get involved in physical battles he couldn't win and so on.
He just seems to be an extremely competent footballer.
Other than something stupid like playing up top,or in goal, I don't think I would be overly concerned where he was asked to play at any given time as he seems to know his limitations and plays within them as best as he can to do the job he is asked to do.
Prime example of this is these two games at CB, you haven't seen him "do an Evans" when they brought the big man on, which is to say, play right up against him to the point where you can be beaten with knock downs, be rolled and end up having to drag the man down, concede a foul because you have to play through the player etc.
He stood off, leaving enough room to run in to make clearing headers, he didn't get involved in physical battles he couldn't win and so on.
He just seems to be an extremely competent footballer.
I hope people now see the stupidity of declaring a decision as wrong without seeing one or two instances of how it pans out.
We thought we knew better sitting in front of a keyboard than someone who actually watches him train.
We thought we knew better sitting in front of a keyboard than someone who actually watches him train.
- Status