gordondaviesmoustache
Well-Known Member
I Whatsapped his mum after the Everton game and she described his performance as "sólido".
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Nicolas Otamendi - 2017/18 performances
- Thread starter ADegenerate
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Rammy Blue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 23 May 2008
- Messages
- 30,595
Was never going to be pretty with him up against Salah - one of quickest in league against one of the slowest.That first 15/20 mins was as bad as i've ever seen at this level it really was.
Andrew___K
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 20 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 3,802
I personally don't rate Otamendi and will be happy if we eventually replace him with a better playmaking defender. But todays poor performance vs Salah isn't his fault.
RCB and LCB in todays 3-5-2 system are basically positions for players with fullback capabilities, i.e. movement, acceleration and ability to engage in pressing higher up the pitch. Pep himself played in a team using such approach, sometimes even as CB or DM, as a coach used it at Barca for a season and occasionally at Bayern, so knows it very well.
The 3ATB+DM system is genuinely self-sufficient defensively and don't necessarily need the presence of wingbacks (like in 'Cruyff diamond'). But only if it includes the players of right types. Regarding the Pool game, IMO the questions should be asked to the coach who placed Mendy too high and exposed Otamendi, basically playing Ota out of position without any coverage.
In the second half Pep has corrected this mistake, switching RCB and LCB and tweaking WBs movement.
Put Kompany or Stones in Ota's place in the 1st half, and the performance would be the same. The problem is that we don't have suitable players for the system, not Ota's deficiencies (as much as I don't rate him as a defender). A player like Mendy, but with better defensive ability, is needed there.
RCB and LCB in todays 3-5-2 system are basically positions for players with fullback capabilities, i.e. movement, acceleration and ability to engage in pressing higher up the pitch. Pep himself played in a team using such approach, sometimes even as CB or DM, as a coach used it at Barca for a season and occasionally at Bayern, so knows it very well.
The 3ATB+DM system is genuinely self-sufficient defensively and don't necessarily need the presence of wingbacks (like in 'Cruyff diamond'). But only if it includes the players of right types. Regarding the Pool game, IMO the questions should be asked to the coach who placed Mendy too high and exposed Otamendi, basically playing Ota out of position without any coverage.
In the second half Pep has corrected this mistake, switching RCB and LCB and tweaking WBs movement.
Put Kompany or Stones in Ota's place in the 1st half, and the performance would be the same. The problem is that we don't have suitable players for the system, not Ota's deficiencies (as much as I don't rate him as a defender). A player like Mendy, but with better defensive ability, is needed there.
B
B
blueinsa
Guest
Was never going to be pretty with him up against Salah - one of quickest in league against one of the slowest.
He could have been up against me today mate and it would have looked no different.
I get the pace thing but fuck me, he was shambolic.
Anyway we won 5-0 so its no biggie but in a back 3 its a no from me im afraid.
I'm pretty sure you are wrong. It would be dumb of Pep to instruct Mendy to focus on the fullback and leave Otamendi in the channels 1 v 1 against one of the top 3 fastest forwards.Not really. Pretty clear what he was being asked and I expanded on it below.
Danilo who is quicker than Ota or wasn't left on an island on the other side. Suggesting more likely than not Walker did a better job defensively while still supporting the attack and the press than Mendy on the left.
Mendy simply didn't do as good a job helping Ota on the left.
I'm pretty sure you are wrong. It would be dumb of Pep to instruct Mendy to focus on the fullback and leave Otamendi in the channels against one of the top 3 fastest forwards.
I'd rather conclude Mendy simply didn't do as good a job helping. Not to mention he was often not pressing Anorld either when these situations arose.
I'm pretty sure you are wrong. It would be dumb of Pep to instruct Mendy to leave an opposition player free for 90 minutes.
I'd rather conclude Mendy did his job, as there's literally nothing to suggest he didn't other than your desire to bail out Otamendi after another shocker.
If you are Salah quick, sure. If not, he'd have eaten you alive.He could have been up against me today mate and it would have looked no different.
I get the pace thing but fuck me, he was shambolic.
Anyway we won 5-0 so its no biggie but in a back 3 its a no from me im afraid.
B
B
blueinsa
Guest
If you are Salah quick, sure. If not, he'd have eaten you alive.
@Rammy Blue will testify to my pace!
Nah, Otamendi was poor regardless of whether he got the help he should have from.Mendy or not.I'm pretty sure you are wrong. It would be dumb of Pep to instruct Mendy to leave an opposition player free for 90 minutes.
I'd rather conclude Mendy did his job, as there's literally nothing to suggest he didn't other than your desire to bail out Otamendi after another shocker.
But to suggest Pep was naive enough enough to leave Salah 1 v 1 on Ota with 40 yards behind is naive.
Rammy Blue
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 23 May 2008
- Messages
- 30,595
Lightning.@Rammy Blue will testify to my pace!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.