Nicolas Otamendi - 2016/17 performances

[teddykgb]

I would prefer Ota played on the left with Stones on the right. Not many are talking about it but I felt Stones was a little awkward on the left and had to turn a lot to get his favored right foot on the ball. I've seen Otamendi on the left plenty and he seems fine there. I'll be interested to see if Pep switches them

 

[Dax777]

I would prefer Ota played on the left with Stones on the right. Not many are talking about it but I felt Stones was a little awkward on the left and had to turn a lot to get his favored right foot on the ball. I've seen Otamendi on the left plenty and he seems fine there. I'll be interested to see if Pep switches them

This. That's why I prefer Kolarov. Cozitvmoves Stones back to the right. Frankly Stones should be RCB regardless of who's available. So long as he is picked to start he should always start in the right. And Kolarov always on the left. Komps an Ota should switch based on who theirpsrtner is.

 

[ADegenerate]

This. That's why I prefer Kolarov. Cozitvmoves Stones back to the right. Frankly Stones should be RCB regardless of who's available. So long as he is picked to start he should always start in the right. And Kolarov always on the left. Komps an Ota should switch based on who theirpsrtner is.

It's not that easy. Stone is the better passer. Maybe OTA has to be on the right whereas stones can adapt better on the left. It has to do with marking as well. Pep knows...he will maximize every situation. Look at how dominate Nico was in the air. I think that has to have been factored in. Pep will mix and match when it's necessary.

Correct me if I'm wrong but John looked really soft in the (very few) duels I've seen. Nico wins every fucking battle I see. Very well could be selective memory, I love nico.

 

[BlueTG]

Far and away our best defender last season. Him and Stones could form a formidable partnership once both form an understanding of eachother's games and start to iron out their flaws.

Utter nonsense. Bacary was a country mile ahead of any defender last season in our team.

 

[01cravend]

Utter nonsense. Bacary was a country mile ahead of any defender last season in our team.

Premier league and Champions league stats combined.

Otamendi - 95 tackles, 157 interceptions, 312 clearances, 22 blocks, 125/202 headed duels won(62%), 85% pass accuracy, 2 goals, 0 assists

Sagna - 61 tackles, 72 interceptions, 203 clearances, 13 blocks, 146/241 headed duels won(61%), 84% pass accuracy, 0 goals, 3 assists

 

[Dax777]

Premier league and Champions league stats combined.

Otamendi - 95 tackles, 157 interceptions, 312 clearances, 22 blocks, 125/202 headed duels won(62%), 85% pass accuracy, 2 goals, 0 assists

Sagna - 61 tackles, 72 interceptions, 203 clearances, 13 blocks, 146/241 headed duels won(61%), 84% pass accuracy, 0 goals, 3 assists

I think Ota is grossly underrated here. I agree with you and have consistently claimed he was our best defender last year.

That said, Ota often oscillated between World Class performances and outright horrific ones. This is why opinions on him are polarized. Some see his great games and say Wow! Then see his poor games and think he was okay except for those 2 Errors. People who view it that way think he is very good or even special.

Others look at his great performances and think 'Meh he is just being a Rambo trying to do it all himself' rather than play within a system. And then they watch his poor games, and conclude 'well that's what happens when you play like Rambo.' These folks tend to think he is a Player with a poor footballing brain and a penchant for seeing a slide tackle in every event. These people tend not to rate him highly. And focus more on his negatives.

That said, while Sagna isn't special, he is solid on the ground, and in the air defensively and he continued to improve offensively. So from a consistency stand point, I can see why some will conclude Sagna was our best defender.

In my opinion though, Ota was the best defender last year, while Sagna was the most consistent. even though he was seldomly exceptional.

 

[Delphacito]

I think Ota is grossly underrated here. I agree with you and have consistently claimed he was our best defender last year.

That said, Ota often oscillated between World Class performances and outright horrific ones. This is why opinions on him are polarized. Some see his great games and say Wow! Then see his poor games and think he was okay except for those 2 Errors. People who view it that way think he is very good or even special.

Others look at his great performances and think 'Meh he is just being a Rambo trying to do it all himself' rather than play within a system. And then they watch his poor games, and conclude 'well that's what happens when you play like Rambo.' These folks tend to think he is a Player with a poor footballing brain and a penchant for seeing a slide tackle in every event. These people tend not to rate him highly. And focus more on his negatives.

That said, while Sagna isn't special, he is solid on the ground, and in the air defensively and he continued to improve offensively. So from a consistency stand point, I can see why some will conclude Sagna was our best defender.

In my opinion though, Ota was the best defender last year, while Sagna was the most consistent. even though he was seldomly exceptional.

I agree. Otamendi is a warrior, need someone like that. His passing is not too shabby too. Much better this year than last year, and last year was already decent.

 

[ninjamonkey]

That's just wrong

No it's not. The odd hollywood pass doesn't disguise his wayward passing. He misplaces passes constantly and I've never seen a player over hit passes like him. The weight he puts on the pass when he hammers 20 yard passes makes it incredibly difficult for players to retain possession with theirs backs to the goal in tight situations. Hopefully Pep will sort it s he won't accept it, that or he'll just instruct him to give it to Stones whenever possible and let him do the passing.

 

[TBooksbluearmy]

Ota is a good defender however he has 1 flaw i.e. he goes to ground to easily, instead of staying on his feet to make the tackle. If Ota can cut this out of his game then we could have a very good defender for the team. He then can play along side either Vinny or Stones.

 

[01cravend]

I think Ota is grossly underrated here. I agree with you and have consistently claimed he was our best defender last year.

That said, Ota often oscillated between World Class performances and outright horrific ones. This is why opinions on him are polarized. Some see his great games and say Wow! Then see his poor games and think he was okay except for those 2 Errors. People who view it that way think he is very good or even special.

Others look at his great performances and think 'Meh he is just being a Rambo trying to do it all himself' rather than play within a system. And then they watch his poor games, and conclude 'well that's what happens when you play like Rambo.' These folks tend to think he is a Player with a poor footballing brain and a penchant for seeing a slide tackle in every event. These people tend not to rate him highly. And focus more on his negatives.

That said, while Sagna isn't special, he is solid on the ground, and in the air defensively and he continued to improve offensively. So from a consistency stand point, I can see why some will conclude Sagna was our best defender.

In my opinion though, Ota was the best defender last year, while Sagna was the most consistent. even though he was seldomly exceptional.

I agree, Sagna was consistently solid, like say James Milner was for us. I Just think Otamendi was just that notch above, got through so much defensive work in a team that does among the least defending in the league. He could be having a fantastic game, he misses a slide tackle then all that he done before is forgotten by many on here. Now it's the only part of his game people focus on, ignore the rest and just wait for him to miss a tackle, classic confirmation bias.

Otamendi + Stones could be our Puyol + Pique