What, lol? Valencia thrives against very fast players, like Sterling, because those said players are used to being able to go past on sheer pace. With Blind, if there is space, they can pretty much run past him (which we have seen numerous times - deluded to think otherwise), but then again I fancy Blind more against a player like Mahrez, which says I rate him, just not against any type of player.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 39
- Clean sheets
- 19
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 4
- Status
What, lol? Valencia thrives against very fast players, like Sterling, because those said players are used to being able to go past on sheer pace. With Blind, if there is space, they can pretty much run past him (which we have seen numerous times - deluded to think otherwise), but then again I fancy Blind more against a player like Mahrez, which says I rate him, just not against any type of player.
Excellent today. I'd rather Shaw at left back but Blind was very good. That should be the end of Rooney corners.
For what it's worth - I'm not having a dig at Blind at all. I thought he was brilliant today, my motm; all I'm saying is that he isn't suited to all types of players, but luckily we have a squad that enables us to choose and pick quite well.
People saying he should be on corner duty, and of course when he's on the pitch he should be. What happens though when Shaw and Smalling are playing? No space for him in the team...
Plenty of space as a sitting midfielder in a 433. Pogba and Herrera each side would provide the legs to cover for his lack of atleticism. He's such an intelligent player and so comfortable on the ball that it's worth a try. His lack of height isn't so much of a problem now with Ibra, Bailly and Pogba in there. I see no reason to drop Blind, he's been great this season.
433 might free up Mihki for a more free role from the right too if it's employed properly.
It's a fair point and something I was thinking too, but do we drop Mata? In this type of setup Mata will be key!
Again, how would you quantify "normally"? What you're saying is what you think would happen based on how important you deem speed and strength to be, but the reality's quite different.
He's probably the most creative defender in this country.
Someone like him would have been a favourite for Pep.
Someone like him would have been a favourite for Pep.
Excellent performance today from Blind.
We shouldn't pick people because of their name and reputation. Based on form Blind is having as good a season as either of them, he shouldn't drop to the bench by default. Given Mourinho pointed out Shaw's mistake the other week I doubt he'll automatically start over Blind every game anyway.
Blind at left back ahead of Shaw for me
He was brilliant today
He literally played Mahrez off the park today. I hope he gets the appreciation he deserves because he's truly one of a kind player to influence the game liked he does from a fullback position.
Mahrez is fast. He just looks slow because he runs with the ball. Same like martial who doesn't look that fast but is quite rapid.
Arguably MOTM performance put in today. Should take corners all the time. He is definitely one of our most technically gifted players and his biggest performances always come out when surrounded by equally technical players like Mata Herrera Carrick etc
My man of the match.
Nope, just that he struggles with certain types of players; if you read through this thread you will see that his lack of pace can be an issue, just like Smalling's lack of genuine passing ability can be an issue.
Watch him actually run in a straight line and you will know; he isn't fast. He doesn't use speed to get clear of players, but he has great close control and is very agile as well as nippy off the mark.
Martial is a whole different kettle; much more power and outright speed.
He always seems to do the right thing. Such a clever and elegant player.
I said it in the summer, if Jose put him up for sale Barcelona would of snapped him up in an instant.
Did you see when he bounced off slimani in a 50:50? He's definitely much stronger than he looks. If only he was a tiny bit quicker he would be one of the worlds best.
Still the smartest tool in the box.
How many times was he beaten by quick(pacey)players? In fact how many times is he beaten in any game he plays?...Not many times, he doesn't rely on speed, he makes up for that with intelligence.
He's like Mertesacker, wild predictions he'll get rinsed every game but it rarely happens, because he's too smart to expose himself like that
Don't forget guys, he's slow and doesn't have any physical attributes to succeed as a defender or football player in general . He will be found out once he comes across a decent fast physical side /s
Blind, along with De Gea deserves to be the first name on the sheet. His brain and awareness in on a different level compared the existing players, along with an excellent shot and corner taking abilities.
He's by far our best signing after Fergie's reign. Play him CB, DM or LB .. give him corner duties or the person ready to take the shot outside the area from corner.. This guy has excelled in every varied responsibility and challenges given to him over the course of 3 years.
Yet we have foolish arm chair Fifa FUT 'critics' for whom Football purely comprises of Pace and Physicality, along with whining about the same ad nauseam on every single page.
Blind, along with De Gea deserves to be the first name on the sheet. His brain and awareness in on a different level compared the existing players, along with an excellent shot and corner taking abilities.
He's by far our best signing after Fergie's reign. Play him CB, DM or LB .. give him corner duties or the person ready to take the shot outside the area from corner.. This guy has excelled in every varied responsibility and challenges given to him over the course of 3 years.
Yet we have foolish arm chair Fifa FUT 'critics' for whom Football purely comprises of Pace and Physicality, along with whining about the same ad nauseam on every single page.
Can't see Shaw walking back home not the side if Blind keeps playing like that
Match winning performance today by him. His passing and movement is different class at LB. Something that Shaw has yet to show. I hope he starts the next league game in LB as well with Smalling and Bailly at CB.
We really miss his passing when he isn't in the side. It's a problem I hope we address with time but we just don't have many players with a wide passing range and vision currently
As well he shouldn't. I love the idea that the players who actually play well earn the privelege of continuing to play in the next fixture.
1st name on the team sheet.
If there's a player in the team that has to play(bar DDG), then it's Blind.
If there's a player in the team that has to play(bar DDG), then it's Blind.
I'd argue he's been our best player so far this season, certainly it's between him and De Gea.
I'd like to see him in a midfield three of Herrera Pogba and him.
I'd like to see him in a midfield three of Herrera Pogba and him.
Credit when it's due. Blind was excellent today. Easily one of the best performers on the pitch with Pogba and Mata.
He was immense, really want to see him play behind Pogba and Herrera in midfield.
He's great on the ball. That's never been in doubt. But he needs to play higher up the pitch than CB, where he can be a liability at times.
I think Shaw's a better left back, but our team is crying out for decent passers and Blind is one of the few we have. If it comes down to it, Herrera at DM and Blind at LB would give us the best chance to dominate games.
I think Shaw's a better left back, but our team is crying out for decent passers and Blind is one of the few we have. If it comes down to it, Herrera at DM and Blind at LB would give us the best chance to dominate games.
Superb today. I'd like to see him play with Herrera screening the defence, with Pogba in front of them.
Blind is such an interesting player. He's a very intelligent footballer. He reads the game very well and passes the ball effectively. His corners were spot on today (although he's not always consistent in that regard). He definitely brings something to the team, and its difficult to leave him out right now. If only he had some more pace and strength! Long term, he shouldn't be a centre back for us. Similarly, I prefer Shaw at left back. Will Blind ever get another look in as a midfielder? In his first season, he had some really promising performances in the middle of the park. It was really only due to a lack of options that he started playing centre back for us. At some point, I'd like to see him given another shot in midfield, provided it's in a three. It's my continued view that he's a very valuable squad player, but with some more time to build the squad the way he wants it, I can see Jose phasing Blind out.
What a game. May sound strange but I put him as my MOTM.
He was my very close 2nd to Mata. An outstanding performance by him, his passing and movement from the back took pressure off of our midfield and provided us with a great option at the back. Additionally, his defensive positioning was great, his side was constantly covered.
At his price, he was a bargain buy given what he provides to our side.
Class act.
- Status