I adore those 'oh look, do you remember that 65th minute when Blind was caught of guard'.
17
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It seems like blind should have jumped 3 feet taller to block it before long even got to do it yet.
That's the anticipation he is talking about which is all bs as no one could block it like that.
Please. Long's header was not a contested header so that stat stands. It's not a duel because they both didn't fight for the ball. It's a header Long won yes but not a header or duel that Blind lost. Same thing about the cross. Can't even be considered a header or duel or anything really since it was way over Blind.
What does that even mean? Jumping isn't considered off the ball movement in football mate, just a heads up. Ultimately, Blinds vastly superior positioning negates any lack in physical deficiency, which is ridiculous over emphasised by the way. Redmond didn't create most of their chances anyway, that's just nonsense. You're making yourself look foolish now. The chance you're actually referring to (27 seconds in the video) was actually Bailly and not Blind that lost Redmond, have a rewatch and then you can admit you were wrong. Just to help, here's the match highlights, care you point out all the chances Blind conceded?
If you don't understand what vertical runs to stmean in football vs. off the ball movement to find space during a cross, then I'd go educate myself before putting together a string of words that make no sense whatever.
His "positioning" is superior because he sits back from his opponent as his success rate at tackling is pretty low. He backs off and only commits when he absolutely has to. Which is smart of him. Against most players that might work, but the top attackers will punish you for giving up that space and not challenging. Compared to Smalling who doesn't need to rely on positioning as much as his physical skills allow him to make up the ground.
That video only showed the highlights not the full match. Go re-watch that and count all the times Redmond managed to run in between Blind and Shaw. I hope you understand that we have a zonal marking system. The RCB shouldn't be running all the way to the left corner flag to chase a defender, which is why Bailly backed off. Blind was pressing incorrectly probably on instinct from LVG's style of play. His role in that defensive play was to intercept the pass to Redmond, but he wasn't in the proper position to do so, ironic considering you praise his positioning shamelessly.
I never said Blind is a bad defender. Probably one of the best ball playing defenders in the league and has even improved defensively. I just think its funny most of the caf thinks that he won't get ripped apart in 1v1 situations against the top players.
That picture doesn't do her justice, he's a good looking lad mind, I don't think it's pretty clear to even us straight guys.
OMG...
Whoever is going on to meet the attacker with the ball first depends on what situation, tactics, timing, time of the game, instruction. Generally, the faster/stronger like smalling and bailly should and would go for first ball as they can compete. But players like blind would read the situation and will be there if those 2 fail. Have you ever thought that it is the way the managers wanted them to play?
Of course it is not saying blind would win every single balls like that. He would not and no one in the history of the game did either. So it is not a shame.
Yes it's the highlights, a highlight reel would include chances wouldn't it? You said most of Southampton's chances came about from Redmond losing Blind, that video showed zero chances coming about from Blinds lack of dynamism, it only included one chance that came about from Bailly losing Redmond, does that mean Bailly suffers physically too? Or, perhaps the more logical reasoning would be your own warped revisionism told you it was Blind and not Bailly that lost Redmond for the goal, such is your desperation to vindicate your own criticism of a player most fans seem to rate.
And now it's his role to intercept that pass? 
What the feck are you smoking? His role in that move was to mark Long which he did, it's kind of pathetic you're going to this extent to try and blame our own player for a conceded chance he had absolutely nothing to do with! Even when there's irrefutable evidence which disproves your point!
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Agreed.
He hasn't so far this season.
Not to say he won't but then any other defender can get ripped but any forward on any given day.
The goal is a team fault so you can discount. See Chelsea chance, which Blind was assigned to man mark him and Diego Costa successfully drew him at times. Costa solely attacked at Blind position where there was space and pace physicality is required. Then the free kick ping pong toward Costa to challenge with Blind...
I give you one (entertaining) game as example, not that there ain't more. Please don't make me go back watching LVG's borefest just to prove a point for you.
There is a reason Mourinho retire him from the corner man marking duty and to protect the post. It's LVG madness to have Rafael man mark Drogba for corner and Blind's man mark Diego Costa and the like in these situation.
The goal is a team fault so you can discount. See Chelsea chance, which Blind was assigned to man mark him and Diego Costa successfully drew him at times. Costa solely attacked at Blind position where there was space and pace physicality is required. Then the free kick ping pong toward Costa to challenge with Blind...
I give you one (entertaining) game as example, not that there ain't more. Please don't make me go back watching LVG's borefest just to prove a point for you.
You do realise that Mourinho has changed the marking strategy of the players this season and they are doing zonal marking now and not man marking. Please stop bring up things from the past. It's really bad form. This season Blind has been exceptional and until Smalling is allowed to play and can play the same way or better than Blind, then give credit where it's due. But till then support the current team as it is in it's current form and be happy about it.
Smalling will get his chance people. Just currently Blind and Bailly are doing a fantastic job so stop slagging, one or the other or all three. We need to support them, even if we lose a game in the future.
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The goal is a team fault so you can discount. See Chelsea chance, which Blind was assigned to man mark him and Diego Costa successfully drew him at times. Costa solely attacked at Blind position where there was space and pace physicality is required. Then the free kick ping pong toward Costa to challenge with Blind...
I give you one (entertaining) game as example, not that there ain't more. Please don't make me go back watching LVG's borefest just to prove a point for you.
There is a reason Mourinho retire him from the corner man marking duty and to protect the post. It's LVG madness to have Rafael man mark Drogba for corner and Blind's man mark Diego Costa and the like in these situation.
Of course teams tried to target him as they thought he might be shit as most caf did. But the way you said there was like blind got targeted alot because he did so many mistakes. Which was not true.
Also there is a reason why jose retired him from the corner man marking duty which is because we have taller players in the XI now! It would be logical to do it no?
You seem to pick on my post but missed out the whole point of my post. You see that I mentioned Smalling not even once and even explain how Blind vs Hull was flawless in Mourinho system with an aggressive DM and ball playing CB partner. It's strange here at time when pointing out known weakness being spinned as slagging player off automatically despite there is no intention
Who said I was not happy?This is only for you not other poster. Again I repeat that I have no agenda against our players. If they can improve like Fellaini these few games, I am glad to eat humble pie and sing praise. Please don't want make me to point out something like this again. I am not keen on this at all. It's painful. I rest my case.
You seem to pick on my post but missed out the whole point of my post. You see that I mentioned Smalling not even once and even explain how Blind vs Hull was flawless in Mourinho system with an aggressive DM and ball playing CB partner. It's strange here at time when pointing out known weakness being spinned as slagging player off automatically despite there is no intention
It is strange here indeed because people make their mind up with how a player of a position should be like or played already instead of actually looking at how a player is playing.
And if you are happy and if the system is working under jose, pointing out so called 'known' weakness would do what? What is the point of it?
Is it a common thing these days to make a compilation of a defender vs club X?
I find him much more exciting to watch than Rooney.
I find him much more exciting to watch than Rooney.
The point is we can't always play on front foot or our players will be always fit/ available. If Ivory Coast qualifies for CAN, then Bailly will miss about a month then the time needed for him to get back the rhythm. Blind and Smalling would probably be tested by the opponent same way despite the change in defensive system due to Smalling's limited on ball skill (they target to press Blind). Then Fellaini can't always play (worry about his recent injury). I pointed out how aggressive and physical imposing DMs like the role Fellaini has been displaying the last few games would help Blind significantly. We have other DM but the way Fellaini has shown is almost unique among our lot. Not sure TFM is ready. Not keen on Pogba being Deschamped as the sole #6. The absence of Fellaini may be costly.
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So if bailly is gone, smalling will have to play so smalling and blind will be tested like last season? Well did they pass it? What do you think? Or you are saying we should play smalling and bailly now so that when bailly gone blind would replace bailly, and the argument is the same no? So what exactly is your point?
The absence of Fellaini would not cost us much. The way jose likes his dm to play imo is pretty simple. It certainly is nothing like how Carrick had to play for years.
Who knows the likes of Herrera who did fine in the first game or Schneiderlin would do just as much. Both of them can play the limited and disciplined role quite well since the passing out from the back will mostly be done by blind. So nothing changes. Both of them are quite aggressive and full of energy.
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Schneiderlin has never impressed me as sole deep lying defensive midfielder once. Maintain that I see him as defensive #8. Schneiderlin is no where as good in aerial duel as Fellaini. Herrera is not physical imposing as Fellaini. Herrera did well but Fellaini has been superb so far. With Herrera Pogba will have to sacrifice more to chip in the defensive duty, which again is not optimal. With Fellaini, we dominate the high ball in the awkward area between CBs and midfield where nowadays team try to exploit (Diego Costa, Zlatan, Kane ... likes to dropped to this zone. Then false 9, #8, # 10 loves to roam). I am sold on Fellaini being the fundamental #6 (surprised at first when Mourinho stated that) for our current set up.
Don't ask me about how we should use our CBs. It was not my initial point. There was discussion between @ivaldo and @Lawman on 2 hyperbole points on Blind. I just pointed out he middle ground, not intended to go about discussing our starting partnership. I notice there is a thread for that.
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I used to love opening this thread and laughing at some of the anti-Blind-ers ridiculous attempts of discrediting him.
It's getting boring now. Same nonsense every week.
It's getting boring now. Same nonsense every week.
Usually nowadays fans do compilations. Clubs themselves don't really do compilations.
I too am enjoying the role Fellaini has played for under Mourinho and I too think we don't have another defensive midfielder that can do the same as he. In my opinion Schneiderlin and Carrick don't really fly into tackles much and would rather stay on their feet(although their passing is most likely better). Herrera might be an option but he doesn't have the same physical attributes as Fellaini(although Blind has shown physical attributes mean nothing if you have intelligent play).
This same problem led me to raise a question yesterday in another thread about another player we do have with the same attributes as Fellaini(and I am not talking Pogba) however he isn't a DM. Since Blind and Bailly are both playing out of this world at CB at the moment, Smalling isn't getting games. However he does have the same physical attributes as Fellaini and dare I say it, looked very quick last season so should be quicker than Fellaini because that is one of Fellaini's weaker attribute. Could we look at Smalling as a replacement for Fellaini. Smalling doesn't need to pass very well since Fellaini also doesn't, he just needs to be able to jump high and clear loose balls, which he already does.
Of course it's not ideal and I had a few people scoff at the idea yesterday, but think it over. (Although I am sure Mourinho won't).
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I was one of those people who said he wasn't good enough for Man Utd first team but my God I look silly now
Educate me please @Footyislife because I'm pretty certain Newton's law of universal gravitation tells us that running vertically is gonna be a problem.
He's not talking about literally running into the sky.Educate me please @Footyislife because I'm pretty certain Newton's law of universal gravitation tells us that running vertically is gonna be a problem.
Then educate me @VorZakone, I understand what lateral movement is but "vertical runs" has me at a loss, I seriously want to be educated.
All sounds a bit hipster to be honest, either that or I'm blaming it on the yanks.
I think what he means by vertical running is running either forward or backwards excluding to the right or left. So only forward/backward.
Yes it's the highlights, a highlight reel would include chances wouldn't it? You said most of Southampton's chances came about from Redmond losing Blind, that video showed zero chances coming about from Blinds lack of dynamism, it only included one chance that came about from Bailly losing Redmond, does that mean Bailly suffers physically too? Or, perhaps the more logical reasoning would be your own warped revisionism told you it was Blind and not Bailly that lost Redmond for the goal, such is your desperation to vindicate your own criticism of a player most fans seem to rate.
And now it's his role to intercept that pass? 
The only one smoking any substance would be you. Considering you have failed to properly argue my points with sound logic, instead jumping to wild conclusions which you dub "irrefutable evidence". Ad hominems aside, do you really think it is valid to argue your conclusion from a video that shows 1 chance Southampton created? Out of their 13 shots, not even counting chances created, only 1 made it into the highlights you showed. Surely that is "irrefutable" logic, why even bother watching the whole game to evaluate our defense performance when you can make conclusion from a small clip showing mostly our attacking highlights.
Next you take a giant leap saying Bailly loses his man, when he consciously chose to not do so that our defensive organization isn't comprised. If you pay attention you'd know we play a compact zonal marking system. No where in zonal marking does it say if you are the LCB to allow a striker to run past you to close down someone ahead of you, especially when Pogba was in the proper position to close Long down. Once the mistake in positioning was made by Blind, a small one in the grand context of things, Bailly reacted to cover the gap, but as the ball was going wide left, he recognized that he the RCB would be drawn away from his zonal marking position and hence reacted correctly to cover a zone in front of the goal to intercept any cross. Bailly is an excellent defender unlike Blind, and doesn't lose his man. You just made an incorrect analysis of what happened on the football pitch.
Criticism can exist for even the best players in the world, and Blind is far from that. He has a good skill set with some obvious defensive weaknesses. Don't need to go all psycho when logic is used to point out the flaws in a players abilities. Doesn't mean that he's bad. It just means he's good in some situations, and not so in others. I like Blind, and I think it's great we have him in the squad; look at how much Pep payed for an inferior player in Stones. I just don't try to overrate him.
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Blind has def adopted hes game. He is more clever in hes movement. Hes has become better to steal the ball/break in front of attacking players. This 3 first games has suited him well and hes been maybe our best player so far. BUT I doubt he can continue like this. Hes been successful so far being aggressive. But I actually think hes to passive when players hold the ball inside the box. He had big problems, letting players get a shot off, when they made right-left movements to get rid of him.
Hes been excellent so far and I hope he continues, but I think he will get run over when he meets world class players and they get him one on one.
Hes been excellent so far and I hope he continues, but I think he will get run over when he meets world class players and they get him one on one.
While i rated Blind overall, i always thought he was an accident waiting to happen as a CB. While he was good last season in most games, sometimes he was also swimming defensively with the rest of the team. Especially his running out and pressing, while leaving the defense exposed was something i just never liked.
Ths season he is just sensational, an absolute rock. He is not chasing around and being all over the place sometimes, but an actual defender defending and reading the game, stepping out when needed. Surprised at his low rating, 7.1 on average. I gave him 8.5 on average so far. A joy to watch, long may it continue.
Ths season he is just sensational, an absolute rock. He is not chasing around and being all over the place sometimes, but an actual defender defending and reading the game, stepping out when needed. Surprised at his low rating, 7.1 on average. I gave him 8.5 on average so far. A joy to watch, long may it continue.
I agree. It is laughable that many people were not bothered if he was sold. He is a class footballer
You seem to pick on my post but missed out the whole point of my post. You see that I mentioned Smalling not even once and even explain how Blind vs Hull was flawless in Mourinho system with an aggressive DM and ball playing CB partner. It's strange here at time when pointing out known weakness being spinned as slagging player off automatically despite there is no intention
This is only for you not other poster. Again I repeat that I have no agenda against our players. If they can improve like Fellaini these few games, I am glad to eat humble pie and sing praise. Please don't want make me to point out something like this again. I am not keen on this at all. It's painful. I rest my case.
This video is a prime example on how Blind can mess it up sometimes. Lets hope does days are over, but its hard to cover over such obvious weak parts of hes game. Mou have done well so far denying opposition to make use of does obvious weaknesses. I think Blind has been wonderful but in this game hes at fault for 3 or 4 BIG situations. For ex hes the reason Carroll and Antonio is on-side. Hes the one loosing to Reid in the 3-2 goal. Like I said, I hope hes become better. But I really think Mou's way of playing suits Blind as long as we play against lesser teams. I really cant see Blind, alone, keep control when we meet fast world class strikers. It may be sufficient this year outside CL. But I cant see Blind being the main man on LCB when we hopefully go to CL next year.
Good thing football is a team sport right? I do hope too that Blind, alone , does not have to keep control when we meet fast world class strikers. That would be pretty bad.
Educate me please @Footyislife because I'm pretty certain Newton's law of universal gravitation tells us that running vertically is gonna be a problem.
Was it really worth a comment to say that? The issue is you forget his law is flawed. If you bothered to study up on Einstein's theory of relativity, you'd be smart enough to understand how footballers make vertical runs. It's mind blowing stuff.
Dominant performance, which is becoming the standard for Blind. I don't think I've seen a player with the seemingly flawless positional sense that he has, he's just so tactically aware but nonchalant about it at the same time.
Great footballer.
Yeah people can be so desperate to criticize a player, it's pathetic.
Of course blind is sometimes going to get exposed in the air by an Andy Carroll. Every defender has weaknesses and you have to account for that. Heck, even Rio and Vidic, slightly to either side of their respective primes, were prone to getting done by physically strong strikers and quick pacey types, respectively. Smalling can often look like hes hurling the ball away like a grenade instead of passing it. So of course Blind has weaknesses. We have to make sure it doesn't cost and we do what we can do not be exposed. He's still a fine CB at the moment.
He can pocket Messi, Suarez etc in one match and then also some clown will say that he'll get exposed by the next "top quality striker" he'll face.
The majority are happy with him though which says a lot about his performances considering the comments on here when he first started playing at CB. LvG deserves credit for this.
The majority are happy with him though which says a lot about his performances considering the comments on here when he first started playing at CB. LvG deserves credit for this.
He certainly does. I've been a fan of Blind's since he joined but I thought his transition into a CB was strange, but, credit to LvG, he's been immense there. You can say that wherever he plays actually as he's just a very smart player.
This is so true, and it's so annoying.
He's a fine CB, enough of this nonsense about how he'll be exposed by whatever striker, he played 38 PL games last season & came out with credit in almost everyone of them, show some respect lads.
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