You sure that was Alves and not Alba/Montoya? I watched that match & laughed at that bit of trickery, as it left the defender on his arse, literally.I've just finished watching the highlights of Sociedad Barca, where at one point Canales turns him inside out and leaves him on his arse. Doubt that would have happened a few years ago.
Oops yep you're right. It was Montoya.You sure that was Alves and not Alba/Montoya? I watched that match & laughed at that bit of trickery, as it left the defender on his arse, literally.
But yeah, agreed with general point. No thanks. Alves is way past it IMO & he's probably after a retirement package, more than anything else.
Nah, your point is spot on. It will be an expensive stop gap. We're not AC Milan here for retired footballers to come for a final pay cheque. (Well, it's not quite that bad, but yeah). No thanks.Oops yep you're right. It was Montoya.
But ye, the point stands. That was just the most recent example that jumped to mind, which was clearly a very poor one!
You're not the only one. Not his fault, but Rafael is so injury prone that he cannot be relied on as a first choice right back. While Valencia has done a decent job as cover, he should not be relied on to play the full season as a right back.It's maybe me, but i don't understand why some don't understand, that if we don't buy a right back that means that Valencia is our main RB, RWB. Rafael is mostly injured.
I think Rafael brings a lot of the injuries upon himself with his committed style of play. Same goes for Jones. If we signed a more conservative defender they're less likely to get injured. Look at Evra, he rarely got stuck in, was still a quality defender and never got injured.
You couldn't be more wrong about Evra's time at United.
Exactly. Vidic and Evra were as commited as you'd get.
Yes Evra in his latter years at times defensively was awful.
Anyway lots of reports saying we after Clyne or Coleman. Going towards Clyne because he's a few years younger, but wouldn't say no to Coleman.
I would never call Evra conservative
Yeah I think he's been quite good actually. Standard fare to shit on him in the matchday thread but he's not doing anything wrong. Maybe see what United have got with Janko but I see no reason to rush Valencia out of the side.I'm starting to think there will be no RB purchase in the summer, I get the feeling old Turnback Tony has charmed LvG with his professionalism, grumpy grinding and in fairness, pretty sold performances that have steadily improved. I think he may go another season with him there and keep testing out McNair to see if he can be the long term RB.
I'm starting to think there will be no RB purchase in the summer, I get the feeling old Turnback Tony has charmed LvG with his professionalism, grumpy grinding and in fairness, pretty sold performances that have steadily improved. I think he may go another season with him there and keep testing out McNair to see if he can be the long term RB.
I'd imagine the priority for a right back has probably dropped recently with our midfield woes, our striker conundrum (Falcao being bobbins, RVP being incosistant and Rooney playing in midfield) and Tony V being solid (if underwhelming).Nah, we'll certainly bring in a right back, it's widely reported as a position of urgency. Valencia will feature as our back up. Rafael will be regretfully sold and McNair could well find himself out on loan.
I'd imagine the priority for a right back has probably dropped recently with our midfield woes, our striker conundrum (Falcao being bobbins, RVP being incosistant and Rooney playing in midfield) and Tony V being solid (if underwhelming).
Don't get me wrong, i hope we do bring in someone but I am just worried that we will see Tony V as good enough and will be passed over.I doubt it. We seem to planning for the long term and our transfer plans won't be changing a great deal in the coming months. If we're Interested in the likes of Nathaniel Clyne you can bet he's already fully well aware of our interest, as are his representatives. I think it's certain we bring in a right back.
I think that van Gall well realises that we have more urgent transfers to do in CB, CM and a pacey winger.
Valencia hasn't played exceptionally well but has done enough to keep his place. Then LvG wants to test McNair and maybe sometimes we will have Rafael fit.
I'd love to sign Clyne for example but please sign others first
Valencia isn't bad defensively, but doesn't provide enough of an outlet on the right flank, which is needed, especially if we persist with the diamond.
Dunno if Wenger's still keen on Smalling given his interest in signing the man from Fulham and also in exchange for Vermaelen last season. But I'd seriously consider swapping him for Hector Bellerin in the upcoming transfer window provided we get suitable reinforcements for central defense. Only 19 years old so not exactly the most experienced option but he's been very impressive for their first team. Spanish U-team international, lightning quick for a defender, schooled the right way in La Masia, deft touch and has the talent to be a premier right back in the league. Given enough developmental time, a combo of him and Shaw on opposite flanks with their pace would be a nightmare to contain.
It's quite strange that there are some young, quality left-backs around Europe which could be signed for the right amount of money - the likes of Rodriguez, Kurzawa, Amavi, Gaya but not enough for the right side. Even the ones who were supposed to be big talents coming through - Jung, Arias, Danilo, Korb haven't progressed very well this season. Aurier has the talent but isn't featuring much for PSG. Maybe we could sniff out a bargain deal if they don't exercise a sign-on clause this summer.
Valencia is improving on a day by day basis. Honestly thin right back is the least of our problems.
i'd say we've got a bigger problem at left back considering shaw gives us nothing in attack.Really? I'd say it's a big one. If we play with a diamond the full backs are two of the most important positions in the side.
We're not going to replace Shaw, he's excellent. Barcelona managed to threaten with only one offensive full back, Alves, Abidal on the left side was a bit like Shaw.i'd say we've got a bigger problem at left back considering shaw gives us nothing in attack.
I'm starting to think there will be no RB purchase in the summer, I get the feeling old Turnback Tony has charmed LvG with his professionalism, grumpy grinding and in fairness, pretty sold performances that have steadily improved. I think he may go another season with him there and keep testing out McNair to see if he can be the long term RB.
I still think that Coleman would be the perfect option.
They didn't play a diamond and we don't have anything like the sort of quality that Barcelona had in those days.We're not going to replace Shaw, he's excellent. Barcelona managed to threaten with only one offensive full back, Alves, Abidal on the left side was a bit like Shaw.
Rafael was learning from hugely experienced players like Neville, Brown and O'Shea when he was 19-20. Valencia, Janko and McNair as our RB options next year would be terrible.I think the same.Valencia,Janko and/or McNair might be our RB options for next season though I'm not really sure if it won't turn out to be a disaster.We still managed to survive with a rash 19-20 years old Rafael in the past so it's not the worst scenario.
They played 433 and we might be playing exactly that next season. The sort of quality we have is irrelevant, you don't need two full backs who are great in attack if you have good offensive players, actually you need defensive solidity at least on one flank of the backline more. That's all not important because Shaw will be good offensively soon.They didn't play a diamond and we don't have anything like the sort of quality that Barcelona had in those days.
