Harry Maguire

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

I'm definitely not one for wanting Maguire for us either but we still need a centre half before the window shuts I feel. Of course Pep knows best but even he's admitted there could be an addition else he'll obviously have to go into season with what he has.

Don't get me wrong another defender would definitely make us stronger but unless they find that ideal one then keep it how it is.

 

[leo_city]

Comfortable with Danilo at CB? If so, what are you basing this on; 30 minutes in a pre season friendly?

He's also played there on 2 other occasions in big games, including the 5-0 win over Europool. But that was in a back 3. So yeah, he also is definitely not cut out for it aside filling in temporarily.

 

[leo_city]

Don't get me wrong another defender would definitely make us stronger but unless they find that ideal one then keep it how it is.

Fair enough, we definitely don't just sign players for the sake of it. I hope whatever happens results in the best scenario for us.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Is he a rag yet?

 

[schfc6]

Stones stepping up or not is irrelevant because this is a matter of having enough depth. Our 3rd and 4th choice as it stands are Otamendi and Fernandinho (makeshift) not good enough for a whole season.

Otamendi is far superior to Maquire. Fernandinho/Garcia are more than good enough to fill Kompany’s minutes.
Misty eyes aside, Kompany was a liability until the last month of the season. Stones needs to step up, be the leader Vinny was at the end of the season. Otamendi would start for every other side in the Prem. He was our best defender just 18 months ago.

 

[ws01]

Comfortable with Danilo at CB? If so, what are you basing this on; 30 minutes in a pre season friendly?

Played there when we belted Dippers and Schalke at home. Also basing it on his skillset - composed, comfortable on the ball, solid tackler.

 

[jared]

I have a feeling this would drag on till last week of transfer window.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Hopefully stones steps up so we won't need this guy.

He's probably going to get the chance to start the season alongside Laporte with Otamendi coming back late. I'm hoping he can grab the opportunity with both hands and make himself undroppable.

 

[simon23]

Just my opinion but i do think we need another centre half (but i would rather it not be Maguire)

Ottomendi is mistake ridden - he had a late bloom in the season before last but before that he was prone to regular mistakes and isnt good enough with the ball. He makes very rash challenges all over the park and is very slow. He is a fantastic competitor but just isnt good enough.

Laporte has been outstanding so no issue there

John Stones - has mostly done well - but is he a leader -- he just doesnt appear to be but he could grow into that...His physical side of the game needs to be worked at as he is vulnerable and can get dominated..With the ball he is mostly excellent.

Therefore for me we have two first choice centre halves and a back up who just aint good enough.

We then get to players playing out of position (nothing wrong with that as Zinchenko has proved).

Ferna - fantastic player, good with the ball, reads the game well, good in the tackle and for a small guy is good in the air but he is coming to an end and Im just not sure about him playing there (epsecially if it was regularly due to a long term injury)

Walker/Danillo - just no - they will put 100% in and their pace (esp walker) is useful but they are far better fullbacks than centre half

Taylor HB - This kid looks the real deal but he is 17 (i think). I havent wathed the EDS but his pre season has been impressive...if he was a fullback you could maybe get away with playing him in some games but could we get away with playing someone so young in such a key position.

Its not just Kompany's ability on the pitch that we will miss but his leadership - i dont see another charachter int he squad that can replace that at present (maybe Ferna or KDB)

Overall i think going into the season with those options at centre half is a huge risk...one long term injury and it really is square pegs in round holes.....though again Pep (and zinchenko have proved that this can work to great affect....

Maybe a switch to 3 at the back regularly?

 

[schfc6]

He's probably going to get the chance to start the season alongside Laporte with Otamendi coming back late. I'm hoping he can grab the opportunity with both hands and make himself undroppable.

He did that last season, the two of them looked class. Injury & drop in confidence seem to badly effect Stones.

 

[leo_city]

Maybe a switch to 3 at the back regularly?

Agree with what you said, but this formation depends heavily on Mendy being fit, we do have Angeliño now so maybe, still a possibility.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

He's also played there on 2 other occasions in big games, including the 5-0 win over Europool. But that was in a back 3. So yeah, he also is definitely not cut out for it aside filling in temporarily.

That's the fly in the ointment, Peps plan was to play 3 at the back with Walker/Mendy wide, that's not happened with the Mendy list of injuries, if Pep is still of that mind to go with wingbacks we'll need more CH cover.

 

[leo_city]

That's the fly in the ointment, Peps plan was to play 3 at the back with Walker/Mendy wide, that's not happened with the Mendy list of injuries, if Pep is still of that mind to go with wingbacks we'll need more CH cover.

It can happen now that Angeliño is here. And if we buy Cancelo. If not, still possible. We played the back 3 with Ferna against Arsenal quite brilliantly, they could not get a clue of what was happening.

 

[simon23]

Agree with what you said, but this formation depends heavily on Mendy being fit, we do have Angeliño now so maybe, still a possibility.

Angelino is supposed to be good going forward so maybe it is a possibility.....he has looked very poor to say the least int he two openers and easily the worst player on the pitch with the young lads outshining him as well. Lets hope Pep can work his magic..No reason why he cannt

 

[gingerprince]

We have needed depth in CB options previously, as we were aware that Kompany

would be lucky to play half a season based on previous experience. It was fortunate

in the run in that he was available for majority of those games, as his experience and

quality were needed. Posters have seemed to concentrate on whether Stones is "up

to it" or whether his personal and or England woes would impact him and or whether

"Pep trusts him", I have no idea on those situations & likely many other posters dont.

My biggest concern is Laporte....Everyone seems to just take it for granted, based on

his fantastic performances bar maybe x1 game hes No1 on the CB teamsheet this year.

My concern is that if he was to get an injury and become unavailable similar to KDB last

year, then how strong is the CB pool without him and Kompany, this season in comparison

to last season? We dont really have a quality left defensive full back. We have Mendy and

Zinchenko and now Angelino. All x3 of those perform better further up the pitch which is

why we are so successful as we tend to be there LOL. However, against the better sides

its Laporte who has been playing one & a half positions when we are defending the ball.

Thankfully, this year we have brought in a quality addition/replacement for Fernandhino,

I think Laporte and Ederson positions are now the positions we would find it difficult in

substituting from the squad pool. Other midfield & or striker unavailable for a period can

be covered, more easily, including Sergio, by rotation and or change of position or setup.

 

[asahartford1]

We have needed depth in CB options previously, as we were aware that Kompany

would be lucky to play half a season based on previous experience. It was fortunate

in the run in that he was available for majority of those games, as his experience and

quality were needed. Posters have seemed to concentrate on whether Stones is "up

to it" or whether his personal and or England woes would impact him and or whether

"Pep trusts him", I have no idea on those situations & likely many other posters dont.

My biggest concern is Laporte....Everyone seems to just take it for granted, based on

his fantastic performances bar maybe x1 game hes No1 on the CB teamsheet this year.

My concern is that if he was to get an injury and become unavailable similar to KDB last

year, then how strong is the CB pool without him and Kompany, this season in comparison

to last season? We dont really have a quality left defensive full back. We have Mendy and

Zinchenko and now Angelino. All x3 of those perform better further up the pitch which is

why we are so successful as we tend to be there LOL. However, against the better sides

its Laporte who has been playing one & a half positions when we are defending the ball.

Thankfully, this year we have brought in a quality addition/replacement for Fernandhino,

I think Laporte and Ederson positions are now the positions we would find it difficult in

substituting from the squad pool. Other midfield & or striker unavailable for a period can

be covered, more easily, including Sergio, by rotation and or change of position or setup.

Lovely sonnet

 

[Rammy Blue]

Lovely sonnet

Painful even looking at the post, lol, never mind reading it!

 

[Uffa]

Lovely sonnet

Yes, I was going to comment on his superb use of blank verse open couplets. A serious candidate for the Nobel prize in Literature.

 

[cookster]

Probably true. But in the current market it has always been obvious that Leicester would demand a fee of around £80m. There was no way they would sell for £60-65m. Not sure why we wasted our time if all the reports are true.

How do you know we wasted any time on the deal? We could have just been used to increase the price.

 

[citytilllidie]

We have needed depth in CB options previously, as we were aware that Kompany

would be lucky to play half a season based on previous experience. It was fortunate

in the run in that he was available for majority of those games, as his experience and

quality were needed. Posters have seemed to concentrate on whether Stones is "up

to it" or whether his personal and or England woes would impact him and or whether

"Pep trusts him", I have no idea on those situations & likely many other posters dont.

My biggest concern is Laporte....Everyone seems to just take it for granted, based on

his fantastic performances bar maybe x1 game hes No1 on the CB teamsheet this year.

My concern is that if he was to get an injury and become unavailable similar to KDB last

year, then how strong is the CB pool without him and Kompany, this season in comparison

to last season? We dont really have a quality left defensive full back. We have Mendy and

Zinchenko and now Angelino. All x3 of those perform better further up the pitch which is

why we are so successful as we tend to be there LOL. However, against the better sides

its Laporte who has been playing one & a half positions when we are defending the ball.

Thankfully, this year we have brought in a quality addition/replacement for Fernandhino,

I think Laporte and Ederson positions are now the positions we would find it difficult in

substituting from the squad pool. Other midfield & or striker unavailable for a period can

be covered, more easily, including Sergio, by rotation and or change of position or setup.

So we need centre back cover for Kompany and it looks from the outside that United are going to outbid City for Maguire.
But it is just 'cover'.
With Laporte, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo etc. available I would like him to pursue a centre forward