mosssideblue said:.A. said:Why should he be given a run of games when he looks likely to give goals away when he is on the pitch? Scott Sinclair looked equally inept on the few occasions he played for us, so why weren't the same people imploring the management to let him play himself into form?
Top class central defenders either have it or they don't; John Stones has been the best defender on the pitch in games against us and Chelsea this season, at the age of 20, in only his second season as a central defender. Jason Denayer also has that something special about him; having both of them as our centre back pairing within a few years would be an ideal scenario.
Gary Neville's analysis of him was spot on: 'Mangala doesn't know the game, he doesn't know how to play the centre-back position. Rather than being patient and holding his own, he will go and chase people into places that he shouldn't be'
Stones will soon be playing for one of Europe's, let alone England's, elite clubs and a priority this summer should be ensuring that it's us. We could have got him for half of the price we paid for Mongala last summer; hopefully with the HG quota needing to be addressed we will cut our losses on this dud and bring the Everton kid in.
You sir are a wum of the highest order
supercity88 said:Whilst the opposition wasn't the toughest you have to give credit to him - he was in a defence that kept a clean sheet. That will give him confidence and from there he can build more of it and adapt to life in the league. It doesn't take long for a player to completely change from looking out of their depth to completely at home in a side. Demichelis is one... how old is he? Zabaleta was barely playing then suddenly settled and became a class act. He used to dive in and get caught out - now he knows when to press and when to drop off, he knows his own weaknesses and has adapted his game... how old is he? Kompany was played in defensive midfield at first and didn't look like he was destined to become a great centre half and captain of a title winning side...
Thins change and Mangala arrived at this club needing a bit of time to settle and a bit of help from his team mates. He didn't get that at all... Kompany was woeful and Mangala probably picked up some bad habits from him - diving in and leaving space in behind etc. Alongside Demichelis for the remainder of the season I expect his form will pick up and I expect more clean sheets.
bhayes said:I think a mangala with experience could be very good for us. He just needs a decent run of games. That being said deyaner seems to be much better and not sure what it would look like when he comes in the team.
Pablo ZZZ Peroni said:20 league starts now for Mangala compared to 23 for Kompany and 24 for Demi.
Our results have been good when he has started - Won 14, Drawn 4 and Lost 2. The losses were West Ham away and Liverpool away.
He has had 10 starts with both Kompany and Demi.
Record with Kompany: Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 2
Record with Demi: Won 7 Drawn 3 Lost 0
Obviously you can't draw too many conclusions form these stats but still interesting IMO. Also can add in the Champions League he made 3 starts in the Group Stage for a record of W2 D1 L0.