To be fair, Vardy is one of the worst forwards to play against . I'm sure there are going to be tougher challenges like Antonio or Mitro. But he has done very well till date.
So, how about that Varane + Martinez partnership?
- Thread starter TsuWave
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Please stay fit. Please.
Only 3 games but It's looking very good. I like Martinez a lot but Varane is the one that I feel that just brings it all together, full backs included.
Maguire would make Beckenbauer and Baresi seem like McNair and Prunier.
Agree. Varane was excellent tonight, and they do seem to complement each other really well. I think fitness is my only anxiety, but Varane of late looks physically good and is so composed. It’s very encouraging. Dare we hope?
You sure?! Antonio...a player that has a purple patch for eight games or whatever then does nothing, or mitro, a guy that has been a busted flush every time he's played in the prem to now. Vardy has previous for terrifying PL defences that those two can't even get close to, so unless I'm missing something, this is dumb or wum
Perfection. A shout out to Malacia as well.
Feels like that purple patch always coincides with playing us though.
That seems true, and also probably explain why some disproportionately rate him.
I think the biggest difference is that whilst Maguire and Lindelof keep running backwards, Varane and Martinez are attacking the ball, defending forward.
The major reason we've won 3 consecutive games, may it continue.
Right now, I think we can talk about the very high level of chemistry in the entire starting back 4. We already know that Varane and Martinez do very well together, but both Malacia and Dalot (yes, Dalot) look as if they fit perfectly in their roles to complete the CBs as well. It feels like it was a very long time ago when we had a back 4 this solid as a single unit.
They made a massive difference together in the last 3 matches. May it continue.
They made a massive difference together in the last 3 matches. May it continue.
If they can keep this going against a form Arsenal side then the momentum really will continue. They're doing very well. You've always got a chance if you defend well, you only have to produce one or two moments. Over a season you do need to compensate for the games where it doesn't all go swimmingly in defence so hopefully we can work on our attacking but you can't fault the way these two are working as a unit.
Since someone cursed United in 2013, good things don’t last long at this club
But this is a good thing and I will enjoy it until the United curse kicks in
But this is a good thing and I will enjoy it until the United curse kicks in
Early days still but I like what I'm seeing a lot. Aggressive and proactive in a way he haven't been for a long time. It's so important Varane can stay fit for us this season.
Very good again tonight. Early days obviously, but shades of Vidic and Rio. Enjoying the possibility of partnerships developing all over the pitch.
This is a key aspect for me
If we had discovered this partnership 2 weeks earlier, we would be top of the league!
I know it’s early days, but it’s extremely encouraging.
I know it’s early days, but it’s extremely encouraging.
Rio made a good point on the back 4 being its own unit. I think as good as the 2 cbs have been, its also a testament to the whole back 4 (and ill say mctominay as well slotting into cb when needed).
What a partnership 
Early days but a long time we had anything close to this
Early days but a long time we had anything close to this
Leicester had a freekick in the second half and I remember seeing Varane pushing and shoving a Leicester player around before the kick was taken. I immediately thought 'i dont think I have ever seen Big old Maguire do this'. Its the little things!
Shades of Rio and Vidic. Stylistically, at least.
Like I've said before, Varane may get a lot of the plaudits for our defensive turnaround, but Martinez has been the standout for me. Guarantee he will be regarded as one of the leagues best centre backs by the end of the season.
Varane gets plaudits deservingly so. They have both been imperial. Varane’s composure yesterday was absurd, in multiple circumstances.
They've been immense and clearly bring out the best in each other.
There are so many attributes that Martinez has brought/facilitated and it shows how much of an impact attitude has. We've gone from being soft and disorganized, to rock solid and with a much needed edge of nastiness, and that's largely just from replacing Maguire with Martinez.
I absolutely love Martinez, the long awaited spiritual heir to Keane.
But also, Maguire is done at this club, he will never come back now that he's basically a meme.
There are so many attributes that Martinez has brought/facilitated and it shows how much of an impact attitude has. We've gone from being soft and disorganized, to rock solid and with a much needed edge of nastiness, and that's largely just from replacing Maguire with Martinez.
I absolutely love Martinez, the long awaited spiritual heir to Keane.
But also, Maguire is done at this club, he will never come back now that he's basically a meme.
Don't remember when I've worried this little about our CB's during games
I love seeing the confidence they all have in each other, calmly playing out from the back under pressure. Such a simple sounding thing to do, but with Maguire there, the defence just seemed panicky all the time, bricking themselves at the slightest hint of danger. It has made a massive difference.
Seems like the improved version of Smalling, Blind and Van Gaal.
Anyone notice the comrade amongst the back 5? The high fives and the passion after someone makes a good block or a tackle. I'm convinced Maguires presence had sucked the soul and life out of the defence. Having a guy that bad in the trenches with you must be so disheartening. Varane and De Gea in particular probably feel a huge weight lifted off them having defenders they can trust and rely upon.
I think they seem to suit each other, obviously Martinez is the hype man in the squad which not only helps us defensively but it keeps our defenders alive, switched on, in comparison to Maguire who wasn't aggressive at all.
Varane was at his best alongside Ramos. Now I'm not saying Martinez is like Ramos in any way, but he has the same aggression and loves the dark side of the game, much like Ramos.
I think Varane needs someone beside him to bring that quality and front footed defending to get the best out of him. I think Varane is at his best reading the game and organising, which is what he has done brilliantly these past few games, along with the rest of his defensive duties.
Also, and this will probably go unnoticed for the most part, but McTominay is doing a lot of selfless work getting himself back in the box and compensating for Martinez's lack of height. It means the opposition can't target him like Brentford did, putting us on the back foot and getting the crowd going.
It's allowing Martinez to be more assured in the rest of his game, and that assuredness seems to eminate throughout the entire team.
I think Varane needs someone beside him to bring that quality and front footed defending to get the best out of him. I think Varane is at his best reading the game and organising, which is what he has done brilliantly these past few games, along with the rest of his defensive duties.
Also, and this will probably go unnoticed for the most part, but McTominay is doing a lot of selfless work getting himself back in the box and compensating for Martinez's lack of height. It means the opposition can't target him like Brentford did, putting us on the back foot and getting the crowd going.
It's allowing Martinez to be more assured in the rest of his game, and that assuredness seems to eminate throughout the entire team.
Loving this partnership so far, it's arguably the best we've had at the club since Rio + Vidic.
Plagiarising BT sport pundits? Haha Completely agree though.
It is the first partnership we had since Rio and Vida. Jones, Smalling or Maguire couldn’t reliably pair with anyone.
Agree with your whole post, I was really enjoying watching Varane last night, his reading of the game and almost stealth like positioning means he always seems to ghost into the right position to make a clearance. It ain't luck, it happens too much. I was also impressed last night when we was tightly marking someone (can't remember who) but he was so chilled and focussed, didn't lose the ball or the man. Great player.
Feels a bit odd to have potentially a good defensive CB partnership, they really seem to compliment each other and work well together. Early days though, plus Varane staying fit will always be a concern.
Join me in prayer that he stays fit!
Will do, he really is that important to how we're playing. I remember even Ten Hag said a few weeks back how vital and important he was to how we want to play.Join me in prayer that he stays fit!
I fecking love this back 4
Smalling and Blind were pretty good together.