Why are we constantly being linked to defenders?

Vinay

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I find this absolutely crazy. At this point in time, surely, we are not having any dearth of defenders at the club. Our youngsters have matured and are proving really able defenders. Running through the list:

Gary Neville
Rio Ferdinand
John O'Shea (on the bench these past few games, would you believe, after all his performances!!!)
Wes Brown
Mikael Silvestre
Phil Neville
David May

There are also a couple of very good prospects waiting in the offing too in Alan Tate and Lee Roche. Then why, why oh why this constant link of us with defenders, the last of which is William Gallas as reported in <a href="http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=26882&itype=466&icategoryid=0" target="_blank">The Daily Star</a>? Admittedly for Gallas, 6 million pounds would be a bargain. But, do we need someone so high profile?
 
coz if Blanc retires, we'll have only 2 steady central defenders -- Rio & Wes.

JOS is still young and not fit for real vital games, and if you mention Silvestre as CD, we'll have no left-footed guy to be our left back.
 
Originally posted by XX:
<strong>JOS is still young and not fit for real vital games...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Chelsea away ? JOS walked around with Hasselbaink in his pocket and got the better of him in a number of physical challenges.
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Originally posted by XX:
<strong>coz if Blanc retires, we'll have only 2 steady central defenders -- Rio & Wes.

JOS is still young and not fit for real vital games, and if you mention Silvestre as CD, we'll have no left-footed guy to be our left back.</strong><hr></blockquote>

just what games have you been watching! because ive seen them all and he has been outstanding!
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Originally posted by XX:
<strong>coz if Blanc retires, we'll have only 2 steady central defenders -- Rio & Wes.

JOS is still young and not fit for real vital games, and if you mention Silvestre as CD, we'll have no left-footed guy to be our left back.</strong><hr></blockquote>

My friend whatever you're taking- half it!!!

"JOS not fit for vital games" - We have not had a more consistent defender all year and the only reason he is out of the team at the minute is due to SAF's policy of ensuring young player's do not suffer burn-out. He'll be a regular next year without a doubt.
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We are linked with defenders because depth is needed in every area of the field, while all are fit it seems pointless, but we are a tad short for a championship squad(look at the amount of games and competitions- end of season is crunch time injury wise). We lost two core players last season- Johnsen and Irwin while bringing in one- Rio, and having tried for the full back Escude.

And this summer we will lose larry Blanc. On the official site they have a story that SAF offered Forest 4mil for their young CB Michael Dawson, with the intention of loaning him back for the rest of the season, which Forest declined.

We will probably buy a CB this Summer to replace Blanc, but it will be hard to get a talented youngster (like Mexes or Dawson)because we have three young CBs already, more likely an old pro.
 
Originally posted by Gabe:
<strong>We are linked with defenders because depth is needed in every area of the field, while all are fit it seems pointless, but we are a tad short for a championship squad(look at the amount of games and competitions- end of season is crunch time injury wise). We lost two core players last season- Johnsen and Irwin while bringing in one- Rio, and having tried for the full back Escude.

And this summer we will lose larry Blanc. On the official site they have a story that SAF offered Forest 4mil for their young CB Michael Dawson, with the intention of loaning him back for the rest of the season, which Forest declined.

We will probably buy a CB this Summer to replace Blanc, but it will be hard to get a talented youngster (like Mexes or Dawson)because we have three young CBs already, more likely an old pro.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Managing a team is a really tough task. Managing them, their egos that need to be satisfied. To satisfy all of them in terms of playing time etc. Really, one cannot apprectiate enough the quality of job that SAF has done for us.

Having said that, I think you are right. And I think maybe it would be good to get cover for the central backs. Two CB injuries would get us a little tight when Laurent does go, indeed.
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Well...
Because Blanc and May are going in the summer.

Because we still don't have cover for Silvestre especially now that Phil Neville has found midfield is his best position.

Becasue if Blanc and May left Wes and rio would not be enough cover especially since O'shea helps to cover the full backs.

Becasue Lee Roche won't break into the first team soon.

Becasue if We got a Gallas/Mexes/Van Bueyten + a Dawson to cover the center backs and Escude to cover mickey we would not need defenders for the next 10 seasons.

case closed. :cool:
 
I all goes back to the summer when it was well documented that we were after a left back.
It's a case of any story linking us to a player will make the back page. Journalists need the stories and editors need their paper filled.
 
Because it´s no secret that our defence had some bad performances this year (Boro, ManC, Blackburn) and when it happens in a big club, people start specullating. Plus, we need a CB because Silvestre and O´Shea are taking the sides and if Blanc goes and Rio gets injuried, we need someone to help Wes. I don´t like Gary Neville for that, even as a SB JOS has proven to be so much better. We should get Gabriel Milito from Independiente (former Diego´s argentinian club). He´s a top class defender.
 
Originally posted by godiepeco:
<strong>Because it´s no secret that our defence had some bad performances this year (Boro, ManC, Blackburn) and when it happens in a big club, people start specullating. Plus, we need a CB because Silvestre and O´Shea are taking the sides and if Blanc goes and Rio gets injuried, we need someone to help Wes. I don´t like Gary Neville for that, even as a SB JOS has proven to be so much better. We should get Gabriel Milito from Independiente (former Diego´s argentinian club). He´s a top class defender.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, ok, that makes sense...
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With the signing of Rio Ferdinand and the rise in prominence of young John O Shea, Manutd have fount the stability needed in the backline. Nowadays the Red Devils defense is strong, able to handle any type of forward and capable to use the ball wisely. SAF’s main aim was to build a young solid defense and I think that his plan is nearly coming to its end

The right flank is strong with Oshea and the Nevilles challenging for a place. I prefer O Shea rather than Gaz (more consistent, more powerful and a more techniqually gifted) but of coarse this is my opinion.

The left flank is what causes me the biggest concern. Unlike many I really think that we need a very good left back that possibly can play in several positions. My favourite signing would be Kaladze who can easily cover both the left, the heart of the defense and the midfield, but Chivu and Sorin would do just fine.

With the left back well covered SAF would be able to flirt Micheal Silvestre as a central back, giving Manutd a very strong defense with 4 great players (possibly 5 if the new left back can also play in the heart of the defense) fighting for 2 central roles.
 
C´mon, Miky is a natural very good left sider and he belongs to that position. What we need is to sign a CB instead of moving Silvestre and loose that great left sider we have. I agree with O´Shea on the right side.
 
Originally posted by godiepeco:
<strong>C´mon, Miky is a natural very good left sider and he belongs to that position. What we need is to sign a CB instead of moving Silvestre and loose that great left sider we have. I agree with O´Shea on the right side.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Mickey has also been outstanding in central defense.
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Originally posted by devilish:
<strong>With the signing of Rio Ferdinand and the rise in prominence of young John O Shea, Manutd have fount the stability needed in the backline. Nowadays the Red Devils defense is strong, able to handle any type of forward and capable to use the ball wisely. SAF’s main aim was to build a young solid defense and I think that his plan is nearly coming to its end

The right flank is strong with Oshea and the Nevilles challenging for a place. I prefer O Shea rather than Gaz (more consistent, more powerful and a more techniqually gifted) but of coarse this is my opinion.

The left flank is what causes me the biggest concern. Unlike many I really think that we need a very good left back that possibly can play in several positions. My favourite signing would be Kaladze who can easily cover both the left, the heart of the defense and the midfield, but Chivu and Sorin would do just fine.

With the left back well covered SAF would be able to flirt Micheal Silvestre as a central back, giving Manutd a very strong defense with 4 great players (possibly 5 if the new left back can also play in the heart of the defense) fighting for 2 central roles.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Personally I'll go for Rio and Wesley as our long term CB partner. Silverster will remain as LB and move to centre when there is injury.
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Originally posted by uranushk1:
<strong>

Personally I'll go for Rio and Wesley as our long term CB partner. Silverster will remain as LB and move to centre when there is injury.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I feel sorry for John O'Shea. He is just as deserving as Wes Brown but, I guess Brown gets the nod because of seniority. There is little to pick between the two guys in terms of ability.
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Originally posted by Vinay:
<strong>

I feel sorry for John O'Shea. He is just as deserving as Wes Brown but, I guess Brown gets the nod because of seniority. There is little to pick between the two guys in terms of ability.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Both of them are brilliant prospects. O'Shea is still very, very young for the standard of a defender, therefore I won't worry anything about him. After he gain more experience and become even better in one or two years time, he will definitely get his regular place in the team.
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I've been following Van Buyten on Eurogoals since we were linked with him.

5 goals in 6 matches, (i.e. very good with his head & feet from corners and set pieces) plus 1 goal of these was a neat step past the keeper and slotted home when he played as a striker in the last 10 minutes.

Not only this, but I watched very closely how well he marks his man, and takes up great defensive positions.

Not saying we will sign him, but I like what I've seen so far. He has a fire about him very similar to Ruud.

With Blanc and May not featuring, we have room for one more. Plus, I would consider O'Shea as excellent cover for either full back spot.
 
Originally posted by GaryLifo:
<strong>I've been following Van Buyten on Eurogoals since we were linked with him.

5 goals in 6 matches, (i.e. very good with his head & feet from corners and set pieces) plus 1 goal of these was a neat step past the keeper and slotted home when he played as a striker in the last 10 minutes.

Not only this, but I watched very closely how well he marks his man, and takes up great defensive positions.

Not saying we will sign him, but I like what I've seen so far. He has a fire about him very similar to Ruud.

With Blanc and May not featuring, we have room for one more. Plus, I would consider O'Shea as excellent cover for either full back spot.</strong><hr></blockquote>

That sounds like an awesome prospect.

How would anyone here compare Van Buyten with Dawson?
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Van Bueyten is the better nore expereinced one hands down imo
 
The more I hear about this Van Buyten guy, the more I am starting to like him.

I believe I heard quotes of the order of 11 million pounds for him. HOw come he is coming that cheap, if he is that good. Is that down to the tumbling market rates in football?
 
Originally posted by Vinay:
<strong>The more I hear about this Van Buyten guy, the more I am starting to like him.

I believe I heard quotes of the order of 11 million pounds for him. HOw come he is coming that cheap, if he is that good. Is that down to the tumbling market rates in football?</strong><hr></blockquote>

And guess what, he is finally coming too!!!
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Originally posted by Vinay:
<strong>The more I hear about this Van Buyten guy, the more I am starting to like him.

I believe I heard quotes of the order of 11 million pounds for him. HOw come he is coming that cheap, if he is that good. Is that down to the tumbling market rates in football?</strong><hr></blockquote>


I posted the info about Van Buyten here, if you are interested :

<a href="http://www.redcafe.info/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001762" target="_blank">web page</a>

;)
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