Lol. You are bending over backwards to not see the likely obvious.
Perhaps its not that Pep is putting faith in KompNy staying healthy, rather perhaps he simply just has equal faith in his 2 other CBs
That's just down to opinion. I very much disagree with you but it is one of the joys of football that it's so subjective. I thought all our cb partnerships were horrible last season until kompany got back and fully into his groove, you thought they were great, which is fair enough. Having said that, I doubt third and out of the cl first knock out round was where we wanted to be so I'm not sure how you can so confidently say that last season definitely didn't show that.Except for the fact that last season didn't show this. But carry on :)
Again, this sounds like fake news to me. 1 the report was VVD was never a priority. And the moment he was priced so highly we stopped being interested.He has clearly said what he thinks about Kompany, & reporters close to the club are suggesting A: Van Dijk was the player we sought to buy & have now pulled out & B: Pep has decided to put his faith in Kompany being fit & is looking for a cheapo cover player.
That's just down to opinion. I very much disagree with you but it is one of the joys of football that it's so subjective. I thought all our cb partnerships were horrible last season until kompany got back and fully into his groove, you thought they were great, which is fair enough. Having said that, I doubt third and out of the cl first knock out round was where we wanted to be so I'm not sure how you can so confidently say that last season definitely didn't show that.
How the bloody hell did you figure out that full backs and goalkeeper were the main priority? You must be some sort of genius or something ;)Again, this sounds like fake news to me. 1 the report was VVD was never a priority. And the moment he was priced so highly we stopped being interested.
Your B is just the reporters saying what they think is going on based off of what 'they believed" was required.
Like I said from the beginning and has now played itself out. Fullbacks and goalie were the 3 priorities. CB never was. Its just that English mentality of fantasy about commanding CBs and "back 4 protecting DMs" that always led folks to conclude incorrectly that these 2 positions were priorities.
The most rudimentary examination of the facts suggested otherwise.
Sadly we didn't make the QF of the champions league and in my view that was very much down to the defending. I absolutely assumed that Pep wouldn't be bothered about the cb situation this summer because I realise he's of the view that our main problem last season was missing chances. No doubt missing chances was a problem but personally I find it impossible to agree that it was our main problem. We were terrible at both ends of the pitch imo and trying to prove that one end was worse than the other is pointless. We want to win leagues and genuinely challenge for the cl. If you think partnerships of Stones and otamendi or stones and kolarov were good enough last season to achieve that I think you're nuts. And if pep thinks it then I think he is too.1. I didn't think they were great, I just disagree that they were 'horrible'. They often were fantastic. Albeit, every now and then they sometimes had off games. Just like Kompany would if he played enough.
2. Your ascribltion of 3rd and QF loser to the CBs is interesting. Unfortunately for you, Pep and the front office concluded, just like I did way back when this disagreement started, that the fullbacks, the goalie, and a failure to convert chances were the main reasons why we did not succeed.
As you can see from our purchases so far, and our continued profligacy in front of goal I think I was on the money.
I agree in the main and I think having better full backs will make the world of difference but I still think that having just 3 senior CB's is not enough. All the top clubs have at least 4.I actually think we have three top class CBs, two of whom are criminally underrated by our own fans.
When you consider the following:
- We had a keeper who let in 16 goals from 18 shots, some of which were extremely soft.
- We had aging full backs who didn't have the pace to perform at the top level.
- We have a manager who insists we press teams and play a system that can leave the CBs exposed (compared to other managers).
The fact we only conceded 6 more goals than Chelsea (8 of them in games against Everton and Leicester) and the fourth best defence overall speaks volumes about our CBs.
Just think what a difference top class full backs and a goalkeeper will make.
Barca are activity trying to sell vermaelan, hernarndez will most likely be used as a full back as will azpilecuta if everyone is fit. No club has 4 out and out CBS bar maybe Bayern but I think Martinez will move to cm. If we sign a CB he will have to be able to cover another position.I agree in the main and I think having better full backs will make the world of difference but I still think that having just 3 senior CB's is not enough. All the top clubs have at least 4
Barca: Umitit, Pique, Mascherano, Vermaelan
Madrid: Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Hernarndez
Bayern: Hummels, Boateng, Martinez, Sule
Chelsea: Cahill, Luiz, Rudiger, Azpilecuta,
Juve: Benatia, Chiellini, Barzagli, Rugani
Preferably someone who could play LB.Barca are activity trying to sell vermaelan, hernarndez will most likely be used as a full back as will azpilecuta if everyone is fit. No club has 4 out and out CBS bar maybe Bayern but I think Martinez will move to cm. If we sign a CB he will have to be able to cover another position.
Nope. I did what everyone without a preconceived notion did, simply watched us play :)How the bloody hell did you figure out that full backs and goalkeeper were the main priority? You must be some sort of genius or something ;)