Harry Maguire SIGNS: £85 mil fee

Originally Posted by utd99

All of our storied centre backs had weaknesses about their games, but they benefited from having better players around them. Not making excuses for McGuire, but all his flaws are being ruthlessly exposed in a way that people like Vida didn’t have because he actually had a team around him. McGuire doesn’t have a midfield in front of him, or a strong partner, or a left back, or forwards that can deflect from mistakes by scoring enough so that people forget.

Again not excuses, because no one should be immune from criticism, but it’s hard for any player to look good in a poor team, and we were poor against Arsenal.

I considered repping this (mainly because our shonky site refuses to let me rep the quiggler over and over), but.... mcguire.... I just can't. soz.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

That's very true. I doubt anyone here could envisage the colossus Van Dijk would become when he left southampton. But then he wasn't joining a dysfunctional mess of a team.

And let’s be honest, we didn’t. We actually laughed at what they paid.

Originally Posted by jem

I considered repping this (mainly because our shonky site refuses to let me rep the quiggler over and over), but.... mcguire.... I just can't. soz.

Just trying to stop from hanging myself tbh.

Originally Posted by utd99

All of our storied centre backs had weaknesses about their games, but they benefited from having better players around them. Not making excuses for McGuire, but all his flaws are being ruthlessly exposed in a way that people like Vida didn’t have because he actually had a team around him. McGuire doesn’t have a midfield in front of him, or a strong partner, or a left back, or forwards that can deflect from mistakes by scoring enough so that people forget.

Again not excuses, because no one should be immune from criticism, but it’s hard for any player to look good in a poor team, and we were poor against Arsenal.

Agree with this and you can apply that to most of our players who have looked bobbins over the past 6 and a half seasons, there is little structure on or off the field. Though as Tibs says, his reading of the game is poor and that won't change too much with better players around him. We were also told he would be good at organising the defence, when you're ready mate.

At least he gets to play in front of the best ‘keeper in the world. That helps

Oh, hold on....

Originally Posted by utd99

All of our storied centre backs had weaknesses about their games, but they benefited from having better players around them. Not making excuses for McGuire, but all his flaws are being ruthlessly exposed in a way that people like Vida didn’t have because he actually had a team around him. McGuire doesn’t have a midfield in front of him, or a strong partner, or a left back, or forwards that can deflect from mistakes by scoring enough so that people forget.

Again not excuses, because no one should be immune from criticism, but it’s hard for any player to look good in a poor team, and we were poor against Arsenal.

Iv noticed he has made a few digs at the forwards in his interviews.

Most recently after Arsenal saying we were on top for the first 10 mins and should have gone 1-0 up, didn't and got punished.

Originally Posted by barca99

Iv noticed he has made a few digs at the forwards in his interviews.

Most recently after Arsenal saying we were on top for the first 10 mins and should have gone 1-0 up, didn't and got punished.

Iv no

So he has no idea what's going on either? Great.

Originally Posted by dunk

So he has no idea what's going on either? Great.

Originally Posted by Vedder

https://twitter.com/bnscomps/status/...977515008?s=21

That £#%&!ing music

Maguire and Lindelof are both comfortable playing the ball around the 18 yard box which means we can hopefully pass the ball up the field and use our quick mobile forwards.

Smalling couldn't pass to the right standard which meant a hoof upfield to Lukaku/Fellani - the centre backs impact on how you want to play.

A decent defensive midfielder would make both look very different Matic never seems to take responsibility for long balls leaving one or the other to come forward and creating a dog leg.

Shaw can't seem to mark or be in the right place which again pulls Maguire and Lindelof apart. First Arsenal goal Lindelof stops the near post threat and if Shaw does his job he blocks or clears which Young would do.. Second goal Rashford causes the problem by not challenging Lacazette.

Maguire has a decent range of passing but the lack of midfield options means he is often having to pass longer. Arsenal we hit loads of aimless long passes up to Martial/Rashford not down the channels but to hold up.

Not many teams play 2 centre forwards and not 2 lumps so we only need one big powerful centre half the second needs to be a clever ball player who is an excellent positional player - is it Lindelof? Don't know but these 2 aren't the major problem.

A dominant defensive midfield player and an excellent passer further forward should be the 2 priorities. A clearer upper and a creator. We are wasting the pace we have.

oh and get rid of Shaw he can't seem to attack or defend beyond the average.

Shaw had 2 men to mark on Arsenal's first goal, as a result he got stuck in between and did neither. He had Pepe behind him and I want to say Ozil also coming in on his side. He marks one, the other is free. Lack of cover/midfield killed him, although he didn't help himself.

A decent range of passing for a professional footballer who cost 85m quid. All Premier League defenders should be able to pass the ball ffs.

Originally Posted by dunk

Shaw had 2 men to mark on Arsenal's first goal, as a result he got stuck in between and did neither. He had Pepe behind him and I want to say Ozil also coming in on his side. He marks one, the other is free. Lack of cover/midfield killed him, although he didn't help himself.

It would be easier to excuse if it weren’t part of a larger pattern. His positioning is shockingly poor way too often.

Originally Posted by redhegemony

A dominant defensive midfield player and an excellent passer further forward should be the 2 priorities. A clearer upper and a creator. We are wasting the pace we have.

oh and get rid of Shaw he can't seem to attack or defend beyond the average.

Agree with all of the above.

Originally Posted by dunk

Shaw had 2 men to mark on Arsenal's first goal, as a result he got stuck in between and did neither. He had Pepe behind him and I want to say Ozil also coming in on his side. He marks one, the other is free. Lack of cover/midfield killed him, although he didn't help himself.

By not making a decision he left 2 free. he has gone backwards as both a defender and an attacker. Seems to have no confidence. Is now very poor and says it all that many people prefer a right footed Ashley Young

Originally Posted by Switching Off

A decent range of passing for a professional footballer who cost 85m quid. All Premier League defenders should be able to pass the ball ffs.

Smalling and Rojo both hopeless distributors. Jones passable.

Originally Posted by redhegemony

By not making a decision he left 2 free. he has gone backwards as both a defender and an attacker. Seems to have no confidence.

Agreed. Whichever one he'd have marked would've been the wrong decision though. if he drops off 10 yards to cover Pepe, Ozil wanders in for a tap-in, he goes out to cover Ozil, Pepe wanders in for a tap in. His lack of confidence comes from the shite in front of him in that respect. It is looking like he's £#%&!ed though. Williams should be starting.

Originally Posted by redhegemony

Is now very poor and says it all that many people prefer a right footed Ashley Young.

Not even on his best day.

Was very good tonight.

Surprised it hasn’t been mentioned more tbh...

Originally Posted by AK14

Was very good tonight.

Surprised it hasn’t been mentioned more tbh...

Lindelof got MOTM pal. Not mentioned anywhere.

Originally Posted by dunk

Lindelof got MOTM pal. Not mentioned anywhere.

Hi Dunk.

Originally Posted by AK14

Hi Dunk.

Hi #@&%!. Loved your man standing and watching the ball sail over his head for Doherty to score, oh and Jiminez making a monkey out of him before running through to hit the post. Was excellent though hey..