[Irwin99]

I didn't see the match but how did he do at full back? Knowing we have problems there it would be good to know he could do a decent job at left back.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

I didn't see the match but how did he do at full back? Knowing we have problems there it would be good to know he could do a decent job at left back.

Imagine Blind playing there, his role is similar to that. More like a third midfielder or center back playing on the inside left. I think he’ll give Ten Hag thoughts about going to s back 3 if he keeps it up.

 

[Ekeke]

Imagine Blind playing there, his role is similar to that. More like a third midfielder or center back playing on the inside left. I think he’ll give Ten Hag thoughts about going to s back 3 if he keeps it up.

Dalot does the same when he plays leftback this season, as did Amrabat last season. So no special changes

 

[V.O.]

Very solid game out of position. Hope he can put a few games like that together and work his way out of his generally slightly ropey recent form.

 

[sebsheep]

I didn't see the match but how did he do at full back? Knowing we have problems there it would be good to know he could do a decent job at left back.

Maybe his best game of the season, definitely better than his last couple of games.

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

Very good performance that.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Dalot does the same when he plays leftback this season, as did Amrabat last season. So no special changes

Except him being left footed makes it more natural to him as he doesn’t have to open up his body to make a pass or tackle if he’s under pressure.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Actually thought he really well today, didn’t always offer a lot going forward, but everything else was great.

 

[abailey123]

Having him at left back made us less exposed when we lost the ball. We generally had Lisandro, De Ligt and Evans in rest defence so a lot better than we’ve seen with Dalot inverting and tons of space wide

 

[Bwuk]

Until we have a left footed LB fit, Martinez should remain at LB imo.

 

[Ekeke]

Except him being left footed makes it more natural to him as he doesn’t have to open up his body to make a pass or tackle if he’s under pressure.

I dont personally like the inverted fullback, but I think it works both ways.

If your goal with an inverted fullback is to clog up the central space even more then naturally wanting to come inside on the right foot suits that. But like you say in the event that you are playing a ball out wide then the left footer is more suited

I think the inverted fullback is a symptom of way too much emphasis on everyone playing in the middle and not enough respect and emphasis on how devastating you can be with good wingplay

 

[FrankDrebin]

Fans have been eager to see him at LB for awhile, purely for balance,and would you know it, he actually did well.

 

[Lentwood]

Seemed to do better focusing on actual defending and not charging into midfield like a maniac to win impossible balls

 

[Pronewbie]

He's fine as a defensive full back to form the 2 or 3 backline when we are in the opponents half. Gives our LW and Bruno/Eriksen the license to be more reckless in attack while having decent cover on the break.

 

[NoPace]

I didn't see the match but how did he do at full back? Knowing we have problems there it would be good to know he could do a decent job at left back.

Played really well. Very good ball progression, marked his side well in terms of counters and we looked more balanced generally with him as a fairly cautious LB and Dalot bombing forward on the right.

 

[FrankWhite]

Line breaking, front foot defending Martinez was back yesterday, had a solid game.
I know a lot of people here are ready to designate him LB of the future, I'm not quite there yet. I didn't see him get isolated or have to defend in space with a wide, fast/tricky player i.e. a proper fullback's job. This is where my concerns with him lie.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Was finally back to looking like himself again yesterday because so far this season he has been terrible.

 

[Pronewbie]

Line breaking, front foot defending Martinez was back yesterday, had a solid game.
I know a lot of people here are ready to designate him LB of the future, I'm not quite there yet. I didn't see him get isolated or have to defend in space with a wide, fast/tricky player i.e. a proper fullback's job. This is where my concerns with him lie.

I reckon he'll be caught out against good wingers. I've never rated him as a great 1v1 defender but he's gotten better at it compared to when he first joined us.

 

[FrankWhite]

I reckon he'll be caught out against good wingers. I've never rated him as a great 1v1 defender but he's gotten better at it compared to when he first joined us.

I was actually surprised Brentford didn't put the outlet winger on his side.

 

[Shinjch]

Would like to see him in that position a lot more, think it can help with a few problems in the team.

 

[Ish]

Good news that he can do a job out there - especially when Yoro is fit as well

 

[lex talionis]

Just one performance but Martinez looked outstanding at LB. I’d like to see him give it another at the position to evaluate he’s more suited there than at CB, particularly since we’re reasonably well stocked there with Maguire, Evans and hopefully Yoel soon to partner with De Ligt. Maybe it’s a one off and if so, so be it, but if we have the answer at LB, either in back four or LCB in a back 3, oh my.

 

[Red00012]

He doesn’t really offer much going forward but he’s probably a better option than Dalot playing there

 

[Mike Smalling]

I’d place a lot of value on having someone left-footed play LB after seeing Dalot there for an extended period. If that’s Martinez until Shaw comes back, that would be ok considering the options we have at CB.

He might not be the most expansive and attacking LB, but he’s good on the ball and a solid defender. It might be our best option for now.

 

[Borninthe80ts]

Played within himself to help the team stay solid but he is much better going forward than he showed today. Liked the no nonsense approach he took at times. Part of the spine we need to stay fit if we are to have a good season.

 

[Bobski]

Think today was the best he has looked defensively all season. He was so sluggish to start the season in his movement and lacking agility but much more like his old self in the last couple of games.

 

[Licha-Vidic]

What does he mean

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

Our best player today.

 

[tomaldinho1]

What does he mean

Our forwards can’t finish for toffee

 

[Red00012]

Excellent today

 

[V.O.]

Had a couple of false dawns already this season as far as getting his old form back, but he is quietly stringing a few solid games together since that Porto mare.

 

[Maciej]

He looks and sounds devastated. Watch him from 2:30.

 

[Plant0x84]

Rated as 6.66 on bbc sport tonight

My Butcher

 

[Alemar]

He is no good as a LB, we are wide open down the flank. Need a LB (or LWB maybe) asap

 

[Bwuk]

He is no good as a LB, we are wide open down the flank. Need a LB (or LWB maybe) asap

He'll be the LCB when Amorim starts.

 

[aeh1991]

With Inacio being one of Amorim's key players I could see two possible outcomes for Licha:
- he takes the exact same role as Inacio under Amorim's United
- he gets benched/sold for Inacio or a player of similar profile

In order for him to achieve the first option, he would need to impress Amorim.

I don't think there is any other option (such as playing as the central CB or as a midfielder or Amorim going back to 4 at the back system).
At the same time, I think De Ligt and Yoro might profit more from the new head coach's style.

 

[A-man]

With Inacio being one of Amorim's key players I could see two possible outcomes for Licha:
- he takes the exact same role as Inacio under Amorim's United
- he gets benched/sold for Inacio or a player of similar profile

In order for him to achieve the first option, he would need to impress Amorim.

I don't think there is any other option (such as playing as the central CB or as a midfielder or Amorim going back to 4 at the back system).
At the same time, I think De Ligt and Yoro might profit more from the new head coach's style.

3 at the back could be beneficial for Martinez in some aspects. He will probably benefit in possession and also from having more CBs in the box at corners, when under pressure etc. My main concerns are that he would be left alone to defend the whole flank and the space behind him. Defending space behind him and facing opponents 1v1 are two weaknesses that our opponents already have started to exploit. I’m also not very confident that de Ligt is the player you want to cover behind or the one you want in the centre when you are in possession under pressure. Overall I’m looking very much forward to a new setup at the back, though.

I think you’re right, Martinez needs to impress otherwise our next signing will be Inacio, however nobody knows if he will make it in the PL (same with Yoro).

 

[V.O.]

Mostly solid game. I can do without the Rojo moments he's starting to have though...

 

[SER19]

Excellent. He and de ligt seem to have put porto disaster behind them and would be my first choice at the moment.

Absolutely nowhere near a red at the end, Palmer is going to become one of these absurdly over protected British players

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

Back to his best. Looks to have regained his sharpness.