I'm not convinced that he is reading the game very well, but he has played well these past two matches.
42
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Looks that way
Been really impressed with him. While he still needs to work on his positioning, he seems so calm and assured on the ball, and I can imagine he's the type of player would want to bring through.
I don't think this changes the fact that we need a CB, but he has done well on the tour. Was a surprise addition really.
Thought he was great, yet again. Not going to say he changed the game, I don't think you can ever say that for a CB but he gave us a lot more composure to deal with their press (I know it dropped off in the 2nd half a little). He has had a great tour and should start the season in the first team squad in my opinion.
Yup. Would still like to see a veteran CB brought in (Hummels or Vermaelen, though it looks like it will be Vermaelen) who can help shore up the back line. Though I'd like to see Blackett get some time in for the first team this season, he's deserved that with his performances on the tour.
Why? He's read the game extremely well imo, better than most of our cbs on tour. Really composed and excellent positioning. Doesn't commit himself unless the time is right. I'm really not sure why you would think this.
Looks like the calmest defender we have. Nothing seems to faze him, the player with the least amount of experience.
Very composed yet again.
More like ledley King for me
Rio and Ledley King taken.
There's still the Sol Campbell comparison to be made, if anyone is interested.
There's still the Sol Campbell comparison to be made, if anyone is interested.
More technical on the ball and with his passing than either of those two. He's something else
Pleased for him, acquitted himself really we'll and must be in the managers thoughts, I know he's been in the academy a fair few years, so I presume he's a local lad (as local as you can with the 1 hour rule)
Anyone know where he's from? It would be good to get another Manc in the team.
Anyone know where he's from? It would be good to get another Manc in the team.
He looked far more comfortable than Keane has looked on tour, and might have just earned a spot in the squad too.
How tall is he?
Young
Mcgrath maybe?
Not sure, but he looks like he's filled out a lot in the last year or so.
Well maybe that was exactly the experience he needed (in hindsight). Sometimes these situations give you so much more. Let's see how he develops when it really counts in the League
Yesterday was played at a good tempo, much higher than your run-of-the-mill pre-season match.
I'm quite shocked that LVG seems to get so much out of some of these players. Blackett suddenly looks like a squad option for us.
I'm quite shocked that LVG seems to get so much out of some of these players. Blackett suddenly looks like a squad option for us.
For a start, Blackett seems like more composed on the ball, and has good footballing brain on decision making. I'm just glad we didn't pursue Indi (like few suggested), when we have a potentially better gem already (in hindsight).
I think his weight of pass is actually sublime, at least with the normal low passes and not the longer high balls. Its like the passes Carrick will sometimes do into the striker's feet in space, only because Blackett is doing it from CB he is finding the CMs in advanced areas, in space and with really good weight of pass so they can move it on faster.
I was surprised he came on tour here and thought his United career was going to be over after the Birmingham loan. He was dreadful there, even though Birmingham were really struggling last year. Pleased to have seen him play so well on tour but not going to go OTT. He's good on the ball though and I think he'll be part of the first team next season.
Been very impressed with him, seems very calm on the ball. Hope he pushes on and keeps improving.
his positioning and man-marking against Roma was poor but apart from that he looked promising. Still has a lot to learn but I like how calm he is. As he is left footed and good on the ball he seems made for LvG.
Roma brutally exposed him but in all fairness, young defender in a new formation and a new manager against a caliber of opposition he has never faced before. It was expected.
Just watching the highlights back.
Very tidy, another very impressive display.
Very tidy, another very impressive display.
TBF Zaha looked like a world beater on tour last season.
Let's see how Blackett does in competitive games. I'm still not convinced he's good enough.
Let's see how Blackett does in competitive games. I'm still not convinced he's good enough.
I've been very impressed with him in preseason, we'll see how will he cope in the PL, depending of course how many chances will LVG give him.
I reckon he will get in ahead of Micheal Keane
I think he looked better than Keane so I agree. In any case even if he'll get promoted and get a chance or 2 we still need another CB but that theme is talked about in numerous threads.
As like most, i've been impressed with Blackett on tour and that game was his best yet. He's still not ready yet but he looks a far better prospect than Keane, i'm not quite sure why the latter has been rating so highly tbh by some with Blackett being somewhat of an after thought.
Totally agree, I've watched Keane for a while and I still don't see what it is he offers that makes him deserving of a place on the squad. Yes, he was dealing with Bale in his last match which was a tall order but he should at least have some idea of how to position himself. It looked like his legs were in a swimming pool. He's been on the tour multiple times now and IMO he hasn't shown enough. Blackett has progressed much farther.
Both Blackett and Keane have done well this pre-season, don't understand why people are making it into a One Vs. Other situation.
Impressive in the pre season. Was very good last night. But as LVG said this is only pre season and can he do it week after week?
Wasn't too impressed by him in his first pre-season game where he was awkward with the ball and looked out of sync with the team. He seems transformed in the past few games, but would have loved to see how he would have fared against the high pressing Liverpool in the first half. Lets see if he can carry his form and performances into the season.
Both have been on tour twice now and Blackett made bigger errors for me vs Roma first half getting caught out by simple balls over the top vs Destro than just being outpaced by a Sharp Bale due to not realizing how quick his acceleration is.
Keane actually has experience of performing consistently and well over 2 seasons in first team football elsewhere and even though This tour and the new position could be the making of him, Blackett doesn't have that same experience in his belft, infact he wasn't even a starter for our U21s at times last season before his loan and played left wing for game time.
Infact i'd say Blackett was on tour ahead of Tom Thorpe due to being a Left footer primarily. He made most of it so credit to him for that though.
It's not Keane vs Blackett for one slot anyway, so pointless debate. Both were impressive but i'd say Keane would be ahead of Blackett for either the central or Right sided role if one had to play as of now in a back 3. Even today/Yesterday he was gonna start if Smalling was unfit going off training squads. Blackett can be backup for LCB.
I don't think it's a "2 players for 1 slot debate" it's more discussing which one has the most potential, considering neither are in the first team. Already you can see Blackett has outstanding qualities. He's quick, he's composed, good on the ball and great in 1v1 situations. I don't see any in Keane to be honest.
Exactly. Blackett is left footed so he will have it easier to play as we have no natural left sided footed CBs (Evans comes close, but it seems Blackett does better in one-on-one). Keanse also looks good but he has Jones and Smalling who can play on the right effectively.
Keane is composed and just as good on the ball, decently quick as well and has better reading off runners off the ball than Blackett. Also has improved a lot aerially in the last 2 years or so along with having a knack of goalscoring and carrying the ball in attack. He can also play RB.
His weakness is vs Quicker and stronger players one on one at times down the side while Blackett's weakness is being too one footed, having more concentration lapses and not as good awareness of runners of the ball. Both have improvements to do to their games and both have potential, but i think Keane as a player is ahead right now.
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