Yeah, definitely. I was dead against it a couple of weeks ago but times running out and he'd be a solid enough addition for now.
Ron Vlaar
- Thread starter RoadTrip
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Ramos is pretty poor defender. He's that awkward midfielder/defender hybrid. Too skilful to be a defender, too stupid to be a midfielder (and defender for that matter).
I'd like to see Ramos in a league where defending is actually a requirement in most of the matches, and not just twice a season.
From what I've seen of el classicos and their CL games, he's nowhere near as good as people think. Nice on the ball and lethal at corners though.
From what I've seen of el classicos and their CL games, he's nowhere near as good as people think. Nice on the ball and lethal at corners though.
He would be our best central defender.
With time really starting to run out, I'm fully of the opinion that he is the commanding centre-back we should try bring in. He wouldn't cost the world, he knows the PL, LVG and playing in the back 3, he's experienced, and he's a commanding figure...
Not that it's going to happen (there are barely any rumblings or anything) but I'm just a bit worried about the state of our defence going into the new season. We are in desperate need of some experience and leadership back there.
Not that it's going to happen (there are barely any rumblings or anything) but I'm just a bit worried about the state of our defence going into the new season. We are in desperate need of some experience and leadership back there.
I think he'd be great too.
Although I will freely admit that I really only watch United PL games (plus assorted top four fixtures) so haven't watched him (and certainly didn't notice him!) for Villa. He was the bees knees for Holland in the WC though. One of the top three central defenders of the tournament IMO.
Although I will freely admit that I really only watch United PL games (plus assorted top four fixtures) so haven't watched him (and certainly didn't notice him!) for Villa. He was the bees knees for Holland in the WC though. One of the top three central defenders of the tournament IMO.
We don't need a center half, we've just signed one people. Why do people still refuse to believe that we have signed Rojo?
Would you say he's Vidic with pace?
He's no Richard Dunne. I'll give you that.
Because we finished the last game with Keane, Jones, and Blackett at the back. And since when all three of Jones, Smalling, and Evans were injury free at the same time? And we lost Vidic and Rio and have signed only one central defender.
I don't think people are forgetting, it's more a case of most feeling we still need a commanding top class CB.
We have SIX defenders capable of playing in the first team - Jones, Smalling, Evans, Rojo, Keane and Blackett. That's 6 players for (presumably) 2 positions if we are to move towards a 4-man defence formation, and we definitely ought to do that because 352 makes no sense now that we have Di Maria. Even if we kept 352 we still don't need 7 defenders.
We have, but he also isn't massively experienced - and not really a commanding figure... also, if we're continuing with 3 at the back, I don't think we have enough considering our injury track-record.
Vlaar would be the type of signing that is a) on the cheaper side and b) wouldn't be expected to play every game... basically a solid squad addition in an area where more bodies isn't a bad thing.
We have 6 defenders. I think at least two of them will be in a very good form and fit for large chunk of the season. It's the DM we need.
We can't play a 3-man defence for the rest of season having signed Di Maria now IMO. If we do then it doesn't matter who's in defence, we'll languish between 5th and 9th anyway because we are not suited to that formation.
Having 7 center halves is ridiculous.
It's not 7 center halves. I wouldn't count both Keane and Blackett - you don't blood in two young centre-backs in a season... that's moving into Fulham territory.
It's also cover for left and right-back... Rojo is for Shaw, Jones is for Rafael - again with our injury record, you end up in the position where we're relying on Blackett and Keane, which isn't what we should be doing (they should be used sparringly and on our terms).
Also, where is the leadership or experience back there? It's sorely lacking... the first half against Sunderland was one huge disorganised mess...
If the plan is for Blackett and Keane to remain and not go on loan, and if LvG is intending to go back to a back 4 then I agree, but I do see why many feel that none of the CB's we have are proven enough to be confident right now.
He'll cost a whole lot more than he's worth, perhaps to the point where it'd be nonsensical to even try for him.
Villa aren't going to want to do business at the close of the window unless they've already got contingency plans in place, and even if they have, they'll make us pay a premium for moving so late in the window, and rightly so.
We've messed up this transfer window and now it's us that can be expected to be bent over a barrel on any worthwhile target unless we're negotiating with clubs in financial dire straits whose need to sell to balance the books is greater than their strength to hold firm and tell us to feck off if we try to low-ball.
thats the main point why we need an experienced CB. We lack leadership throughout the whole team, especiallly in defense. We need an organiser and loan one of the youngsters out.
He's been very good in the two opening games for Villa. I never really paid much attention to him before the WC. This season I'll make sure to keep up with his performances though.
No way Villa would sell him for a reasonable price now though. Too little time to find a replacement.
I don't get why people are saying we don't need anymore defenders?
Sure we have numbers, but none of them are truly class or have bags of experience. Jones and Smalling are almost there, but not quite. Evans is there. Blackett and Keane though are nowhere near being PL winning centre backs, and Rojo is probably on a par with Jones and Smalling in terms of experience as he hasn't played PL but has played first team football for a while.
Also this ignores the key fact that, Jones, Smalling, and Evans have been highly susceptible to injuries. Could you count on those 3 being fit for a season? Not a chance in hell.
Having 6 defenders is irrelevent if 1 has no PL experience, 2 are far too young to be considered real options, and 3 who are good enough but injury prone.
Sure we have numbers, but none of them are truly class or have bags of experience. Jones and Smalling are almost there, but not quite. Evans is there. Blackett and Keane though are nowhere near being PL winning centre backs, and Rojo is probably on a par with Jones and Smalling in terms of experience as he hasn't played PL but has played first team football for a while.
Also this ignores the key fact that, Jones, Smalling, and Evans have been highly susceptible to injuries. Could you count on those 3 being fit for a season? Not a chance in hell.
Having 6 defenders is irrelevent if 1 has no PL experience, 2 are far too young to be considered real options, and 3 who are good enough but injury prone.
Interesting.
Was he much good for Villa last season? Or did the WC performances come as a complete surprise?
I'm sorry but it doesn't work like that. We'd have to let go of one of Evans, Smalling or Jones or convert them into fulbacks to accomodate another centre back.
I agree that we should have one top class centre back at the club, but realistically there's simply no way of keeping so many centre backs happy. It's not that people dont want our defence to improve. It's just the reality that for one to come in we'd have to let one go now or pretty soon.
Then we should sell Evans, Jones and Smalling if at this point we don't trust them. Either give them a run or get rid, they have played second fiddle for too long.
I think Jones could learn a lot from Vlaar, he's a similar player just more rash and poorer decision making.
Even training alongside Vlaar would help him as I doubt he's going to learn much from Evans, Smalling or Rojo.
Even training alongside Vlaar would help him as I doubt he's going to learn much from Evans, Smalling or Rojo.
I actually agree, I think this is the season where the investment the club made in Smalling and Jones has got to be given the chance to pay off and Evans gets to step up as the experienced head, I was just giving reasons as to why I think others want a top CB brought in.
Don't see the problem having 5 quality centre-backs in our squad. Smalling, Evans, Jones, Roja and A.N.Other. Especially when we have only one two full-backs in the squad and a number of our CBs capable of covering for them.
That's without even considering how injury prone Smalling, Evans, Jones and Rafael have been over the past few seasons.
A lot will depend on whether Blackett or Keane (and Thorpe) are ready for first-team football. Talented and all as they are, I'd like to see them both establish themselves somewhere on loan first.
That's without even considering how injury prone Smalling, Evans, Jones and Rafael have been over the past few seasons.
A lot will depend on whether Blackett or Keane (and Thorpe) are ready for first-team football. Talented and all as they are, I'd like to see them both establish themselves somewhere on loan first.
Doesn't necessarily need to be Vlaar but I think we really need an older experienced centre half.
I cant actually recall a top team in England not having one and ever winning anything? even in Europe Im struggling to think of an example.
I cant actually recall a top team in England not having one and ever winning anything? even in Europe Im struggling to think of an example.
How old were Dortmund's centre-backs when they won the Bundesliga a few years back?
This. There's no point wrecking their careers.
We actually would've been in a much better position this year if we actually got rid of Rio last summer. He started over 20 games last summer, was generally poor and we still don't know if our other CBs are good enough because they didn't get played in the middle.
For us it's good but you'd think it's not a situation that can last long. I can't think of any big team in the premier league that has 5 centre backs who are all the age when they need regular first team football in their favored positions. But then again, what do I know, maybe our constant issues can make it a workable situation.
Good shout actually, probably 24/25. So other than Dortmund any other examples?
Bayern?
Martinez is only a child. Can't remember who they usually play alongside him?
I would be delighted with this signing. Reliable experienced CB who wouldn't cost much, who would want to join us, who wouldn't moan if he had time on the bench. I would be disappointed if we weren't in for him or a similar player actually.
I believe Badstuber and Boateng was their first choice CB partnership in their run to the 2012 Champions League final. They were both 23.
Don't get me wrong, I hardly ever watch Villa but Vlaar made it into my fantasy football team last season for most of the season and the lad did good.
LVG would have snapped him up by now if he really wanted him. I imagine he would have been pretty easy to get off Villa.
Well he's not English and he's 30 this season. Should be around 10-15 mil or we'll just tell Villa to do one.Who said he wouldn't cost much?
Last time we had dealings with Villa........
I'd say just get Vlaar just to bring more depth into the defenders department. Im glad to see Van Gaal not afraid to play the youngsters, especially M. Keane as when smalling came off against sunderland, he looked quite solid in their i have to say.
I think the midfield is more the issue than the defense in terms of transfer market IMO. Because this new formation is gonna take time getting used to, especially the defense as its gone to two CBs to Three without fullbacks to cover them and that's big a change of getting used. Only two games in and it hasn't been massively devastating so ill give the defenders time. But still, Vlaar for me would be cheap and decent enough for at least a squad player to give more depth into the squad.
I think the midfield is more the issue than the defense in terms of transfer market IMO. Because this new formation is gonna take time getting used to, especially the defense as its gone to two CBs to Three without fullbacks to cover them and that's big a change of getting used. Only two games in and it hasn't been massively devastating so ill give the defenders time. But still, Vlaar for me would be cheap and decent enough for at least a squad player to give more depth into the squad.