Bump. Nearly 2 years on, and I'd take Vidic without much hesitation now.
Stam V Vidic
- Thread starter Cheltenham Red
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Tough one, but i'd go for Stam
The man was a beast, big, strong, fast as feck. Strikers used to bounce off him.
Vidic is one of the best around, almost unbeatable in the air but hasn't got all the facets to his game to make him perfect.
The man was a beast, big, strong, fast as feck. Strikers used to bounce off him.
Vidic is one of the best around, almost unbeatable in the air but hasn't got all the facets to his game to make him perfect.
Without a doubt (Vidic that is)
Stam edges it due to his incredible pace.
Fair comment, but for my money, Vidic's performances have just got better and better, to the degree he now rates parity with Jaap.
I'd say Stam as he was the main man in the defence, as good as vidic is he is our second best centre half.
Having said that so would Stam if he was playing with Rio.
Having said that so would Stam if he was playing with Rio.
Vidic is immense but Stam had better all round game.
At the peak of their powers the best defenders i've seen at the club are:
1) Stam
2) Ferdinand
3) Vidic
It's very close though.
At the peak of their powers the best defenders i've seen at the club are:
1) Stam
2) Ferdinand
3) Vidic
It's very close though.
For me personally it would be
McGrath
Stam
Ferdinand
Vidic
Greame Hogg
I'm not old enough to go back beyond McGrath
McGrath
Stam
Ferdinand
Vidic
Greame Hogg
I'm not old enough to go back beyond McGrath
We've been blessed with some amazing defenders, havent we?
I think Ferdinand and Vidic are/were better than Stam.
I think Ferdinand and Vidic are/were better than Stam.
Stam was lighting quick, I can remember seeing him keep pace with one Michael Owen in his speedy prime... then knocking him on his ass.
Stam's performance in the2nd half of CL semi vs Juve where he won everything will stand out in my mind for a long time.
For as good as Vidic has been, there will always be the 1-4 where Fernado Torres took him to town, and the CL final vs Barca when he was beaten by Eto'o.
Those high profile matches where Vidic has made his worst mistakes... these errors make Stam's worst... getting schooled by Marian Perhars (Southampton) and Saha (Fulham opening day)... seem not so bad
Stam's performance in the2nd half of CL semi vs Juve where he won everything will stand out in my mind for a long time.
For as good as Vidic has been, there will always be the 1-4 where Fernado Torres took him to town, and the CL final vs Barca when he was beaten by Eto'o.
Those high profile matches where Vidic has made his worst mistakes... these errors make Stam's worst... getting schooled by Marian Perhars (Southampton) and Saha (Fulham opening day)... seem not so bad
I still chuckle at the time Zamarano backed into him
Stam for me. Noone comes close in terms of his ability to make defending look so easy against the very, very best of attackers.
Vidic is a ridiculously good defender, but I'd still take a peak Rio and peak Stam over him.
Vidic is a ridiculously good defender, but I'd still take a peak Rio and peak Stam over him.
The Saha bit was far more Neville's fault than Stam.
Stam.
McGrath was very good but was not better than Stam and Ferdinand. No way.
No debate. 2 very different players.
Stam for me too.
Vidic is an outstanding player, but i think Stam has the better of him in almost every department. Would have loved to have seen a Stam Ferdinand pairing. Enjoyed the Larry White experience though!
Vidic is an outstanding player, but i think Stam has the better of him in almost every department. Would have loved to have seen a Stam Ferdinand pairing. Enjoyed the Larry White experience though!
Of course there's a valid debate. They're both centre halves. They did it differently but they're obviously not that different.
I've not seen a better defender than stam at the top of his game. But having said that, I think Vidic has been more consistent over a longer period.
There's a brilliant picture which I remember seeing but haven't been able to find of him with his hand round vieira's neck. I think it was the 2000/01 game at highbury, and it had kicked off with Roy keane. Vieira's absolutely shitting himself - as most opposition players did.
There's a brilliant picture which I remember seeing but haven't been able to find of him with his hand round vieira's neck. I think it was the 2000/01 game at highbury, and it had kicked off with Roy keane. Vieira's absolutely shitting himself - as most opposition players did.
Stam is still the best Centre half I've ever seen
McGrath was a natural. I'd say he was better than both despite his injuries and alcohol issues.
No you couldn't.
Well you could but you'd be wrong. Rio made Mikael Silvestre seem world class, for crying out loud. He doesn't need anyone to make him look good.
Agreed. Most naturally talented defender I've ever seen.
Did anyone see Stam play in one of those tv celebrity games recently? Had a mix of celebs and ex-players including Dwight Yorke, amongst others.
Stam bossed them all.
Stam bossed them all.
Rio was immense in 2008 and wasnt even our best player cos of Ronaldos ridiculous stats. Vidic was really fantastic in 2009 (I think rio didnt missed quite a bit of that season).
2010/11 with both fit is seeing the best of both which is great and more often than not, I dont see us conceding those silly goals now (legally I should say given the brum goal)
I think its a tough one but if hes still playing this level in a year or two, I think id take Vida over Stam which I never thought id say.
2010/11 with both fit is seeing the best of both which is great and more often than not, I dont see us conceding those silly goals now (legally I should say given the brum goal)
I think its a tough one but if hes still playing this level in a year or two, I think id take Vida over Stam which I never thought id say.
The one were Craig David tackled him?
He had a great game other than that marking Sheringham and Shearer.
I think Vidic's biggest weakness is his clumsiness. Absolutely awesome defender, but he gives away needless fouls, even when he was superb against Tottenham last night, it may have been a different story had a couple of those free kicks gone in and people would be viewing his performance in a different light.
All ifs, buts and maybes, but its just my opinion. Nevertheless, I think he's in our top 3 defenders of all time, Vidic and Ferdinand simply have to be in there.
All ifs, buts and maybes, but its just my opinion. Nevertheless, I think he's in our top 3 defenders of all time, Vidic and Ferdinand simply have to be in there.
No way. Maybe he'd have gone on to be better had he not been a bit of an idot but there's no chance he was better than Stam, Vidic and Rio.
Maybe more naturally gifted than them (though I would still argue Rio was more naturally gifted) but a better defender? Nah. Not havin it.
My mind genuinely cant comprehend the thought of this McGrath bloke being better than Vidic, Ferdinand and Stam. He must have been quite good.
He was quality and could have been one of the greats but was unfortunate with injuries and liked the booze way to much.
Waste of a talent.
i think that's a good call, all are extremely good but i think at their best this is the right order.
you got the impression stam could have played on his own at centre back for us and i'd give rio the edge over vida as he was pretty much perfect for me in 07-08. all very good and very close though.
So I keep hearing...
Would put Vidic above Rio, but it is a very close call as it is with Stam and Vidic. I think I will call it a draw.
But I agree with the above. McGrath tops the lot
But I agree with the above. McGrath tops the lot
I think Stam just edges it. Build like a tank with incredible pace.
My favorite moment is when it took half of our team including the ref to stop him from pummeling Vieira after some clash with Keano.
My favorite moment is when it took half of our team including the ref to stop him from pummeling Vieira after some clash with Keano.
He wasn't
For me its got to be Rio at the head of the pack. Literally one of the best players I have ever seen, let alone defenders. Something I've particularly noticed this season as well as all of his other attributes is how he clears the ball. He literally gets it out of the danger zone every single time without error, no matter where the ball arrives at him. Just an absolute beast. Love Stam and Vidic, but Rio is one of the best centre backs ever.
Stam. Ferdinand. Vidic. In that order.
Personally I think Ferdinand is the main man. You can stick anyone next to him and they'd look top draw.
Ferdinand. Stam. Vidic.
Ferdinand. Stam. Vidic.
Ferdinand and Vidic the best centre back pairing weve ever had?
I remember Milan playing Barca in the CL a few years ago, I think it was the return leg after Giuly scored at the San Siro.
Stam was playing at right-back for Milan and spent nearly the entire match bombing up and down that right side. He must have been 33/34 when that took place and it was almost surreal seeing how quick he still was.
Stam was playing at right-back for Milan and spent nearly the entire match bombing up and down that right side. He must have been 33/34 when that took place and it was almost surreal seeing how quick he still was.