Laurent Blanc - Serious question

Dumbstar

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Tonight on the highlights I saw a little known player called Jason Roberts make Larry look very incompetent againt genuine pace. The bit where Larry tried to catch Jason and fall over his elbow, then his shoulders and finally on his ar*e was very edifying for a Liverpool supporter.

However, the serious question is - how will Larry cope with other genuine pacey forwards (i.e. Owen, Anelka, Henry, Diouf, etc) this season? With Wes and Silvestre last season he 'got away' from those duties by letting them do the chasing. However, this season with OShea, whose job was to stop Jason ever getting to Larry (and failed miserably), the obvious lack of pace might be shown up too often.

Unless Alex plays Butt and Keane a lot deeper to protect the fragile back four (and thus stopping Man Utd do what they do best - score tons of goals) I predict worrying times ahead for Utd supporters. Rio can't come into the picture quick enough (no pun intended).
 
I'm not saying Man Utd won't be challenging for the title. If they don't lose six games by xmas again then they will, along with Liverpool and Arsenal. Its the other Manchester based team I can see going down.

However, Laurent Blanc's performance coupled with none of his fellow defenders being able to help him out like Brown/G Neville did last season is not a good sign while Rio/Brown/G Neville is out.

I don't want to turn this into another 'you're just bitter' thread. If I was a Man Utd fan I would rather see Roy Keane paired with OShea while Rio is out, then when Rio returns pair him up with Blanc (brains and pace can only work together, brains on its own is useless on the pitch).
 
Sorry to say but Blanc did the right thing. He did enough to put his opponent off without giving away a penalty. He gave his kepper an excellent chance at making a save. Hell, I saw Rio get beat for pace v Sweeden (2nd half?). Again, he managed to get away with it.
 
Blanc needs a settled partner, once Gaz, Rio and Escude joins the party, we will be alright,

Got to say we should get Puyol, he is feckin brilliant right back, but then again I would not mind coly, as he is better than gaz at r/b, a tough customer and cheap, plus he wants to come to United, unlike ambitionless Puyol.
 
Originally posted by gulli_G:
<strong>Blanc needs a settled partner, once Gaz, Rio and Escude joins the party, we will be alright,

Got to say we should get Puyol, he is feckin brilliant right back, but then again I would not mind coly, as he is better than gaz at r/b, a tough customer and cheap, plus he wants to come to United, unlike ambitionless Puyol.</strong><hr></blockquote>

If Coly wants to come to Utd and you manage to sign him, then I'll start to really worry. I think Coly is a fantastic defender and a prospect of Coly, G Neville, Rio, Silvestre (or even G Neville, Rio, Blanc, Coly) would certainly solidify some of your major cracks at the back (not all, but a significant amount).

However, then you have to worry about getting them to gel before the season is too far advanced, while hoping none of the big three get injured again (G Neville, Rio, Coly).
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You are forgetting a player named John O'Shea, who is going to be one hell of a defender as he gets more experienced!!!
 
Blanc wont be the only defender troubled by Jason Roberts this season..
btw did you see Blancs incredible drag back? absolute class
 
For all Blancs class, his time has passed. It time to bed a new centre partnership together. Rio already has more than enough experience to help O'Shea through the early part of the season. As soon as Rio is fit put him and O'Shea together, there is no point in waiting.
When Wes is fit him and Sylvestre at FB we will provide us with good pace down the flanks, overlapping the wingers.
In my view Rio and O'Shea have the potential to be the best centreback parnership we've had since Bruce and Pally.
 
Originally posted by Dumpstar:
<strong>

If Coly wants to come to Utd and you manage to sign him, then I'll start to really worry. I think Coly is a fantastic defender and a prospect of Coly, G Neville, Rio, Silvestre (or even G Neville, Rio, Blanc, Coly) would certainly solidify some of your major cracks at the back (not all, but a significant amount).

However, then you have to worry about getting them to gel before the season is too far advanced, while hoping none of the big three get injured again (G Neville, Rio, Coly).</strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree. I have rated him since I saw his performances in the African Nations Cup and the WC further highlighted his abilities.

Sadly, we won't be getting him as he's cup-tied in the CL with Lens :(
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Originally posted by Cigar:
<strong>You are forgetting a player named John O'Shea, who is going to be one hell of a defender as he gets more experienced!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

You'll forgive me if I don't buy into the 'a Manchester youngster will be one of the best defenders in the premiership' hype right now. I had too much of it with Wes Brown OG.

I think Blanc and Rio are fine. But they will probably have to remain injury free to make it worthwhile. Blanc will need Rio, or he'll be too exposed (as he was with O Shea re. WBA).
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Originally posted by golden_blunder:
<strong>Blanc wont be the only defender troubled by Jason Roberts this season..
btw did you see Blancs incredible drag back? absolute class</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agreed Jason Roberts' pace will give problems to mid table calibre defences. However, he is still only a first division player, playing his first few games in the prem. Top teams will not (should not) have a problem containing him.

Dragbacks are great when the likes of Veron are doing them. Defenders should defend first, showboat later.
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Don't forget everone said Ricketts was 'only a first division player' last season and he caused problems for a lot of the top clubs. Including ourselves and Liverpool.
 
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