Centre Backs

[Mr HJ]

It would be a mistake to underestimate the influence of MD in organising our defence. Looking at pre-season it was clear that without that we looked a shambles at times. MD has an important part to play in his last year and that is helping develop Denayer in particular and to a lesser extent Mangala. In fact one of the reasons we had such a strong end to last season was Mangala and MD looking solid - For me Vinny has to prove his lack of form is a blip - Denayer deserves a chance at WBA and I would pair him with Mangala, but what do I know?

 

[citymad]

Hard to say who the best pairing is as there isn't one outstanding defender. At a push I'd say DM and Kompany because at least DM is calm and holds the line well. For the wages and transfer fee it should be Mangala with Kompany but both are erratic and prone to poor errors of judgement. Haven't seen much of Denayer so can't really judge. One things for sure we will continue to leak goals unless Pellers does some major work on defending.

 

[busdriver]

Hard to say who the best pairing is as there isn't one outstanding defender. At a push I'd say DM and Kompany because at least DM is calm and holds the line well. For the wages and transfer fee it should be Mangala with Kompany but both are erratic and prone to poor errors of judgement. Haven't seen much of Denayer so can't really judge. One things for sure we will continue to leak goals unless Pellers does some major work on defending.

not if we always score one more goal than the other team!

 

[capiloton]

kompany + mangala = won't work. please stop experimenting in league's game.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Perm any two from those four, they're all good players. It's not the personnel that concerns me when it comes to our defending.

 

[BLUEPUGH]

Den and Dem for me.

Love Kompany but think he still needs a rest.

 

[cibaman]

Mangala and MDM for me. Best pairing last season.

It may have been our best partnership but it wasnt good enough. None of our partnerships were good enough, none of our centre backs were good enough.

Unless Denayer takes the PL by storm, or we sign another centre back, then the question shouldnt be which pairing was the best last season but which partnership can improve the most. Mangala should improve on last season, Kompany clearly as the ability to play far better. MDM is the least likely to improve. His reading of the game his very good but sometimes his legs let him down. That's more likely to be the case this season.

If we start the season pairing MDM and Mangala we will not win the league. we would be playing for a CL place.

 

[Tricky Dickys Right Foot Shot]

Keep Kompany as far away from the defence as possible! Been saying for 2 years that he's starting to cause problems and I got slagged off to fuck for it!

People can blame Manuel's tactics but the guy is a professional footballer and if he can't adapt his game in the space of almost 3 years now then something is amiss! The same thing happened to Vidic when he hit 30 now Vinnie is suffering with it at 29 and it's going to progressively get worse.


Start with Mangala and Denyar.

 

[Hutchisons Headers]

http://eplindex.com/68058/vincent-kompany-season-off-past-prime.html

Read this link on Kompany

Thanks for that link, puts things into perspective with all the "Vinnys lost his form hysteria". Same as I expect Dzeko to shine at Roma, one "bad" season doesn't mean a player is now shite.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Why does it grate on me so much people calling Demichelis "MDM"? There's definitely something wrong with me. It shouldn't bother me! But still... it's MD, people! Phew, I feel better now ;)