Player Topic: Eliaquim Mangala (2015/16)

[BringBackSwales]

I don't think that's quite true.

I don't think that is necessarily true of a defender. Some mature more than others. At 24 Thiago Silva was back in Brazil after failing to make the grade in Europe at Porto and Dinamo Moscow. Otamendi was back in South America after failing to make the grade in Europe. A defender can look world class in one system and then look a shambles in another. I'd reserve judgement on him until we improve as a unit because let's face it, Kompany aside, our entire backline has looked a complete joke.

So Otamendi, Sagna, Kolarov, and Clichy have all looked "a complete joke"? I think everyone would agree that we have issues defending, as a team, but your comment is over the top

 

[ono]

So Otamendi, Sagna, Kolarov, and Clichy have all looked "a complete joke"? I think everyone would agree that we have issues defending, as a team, but your comment is over the top

Defensively yes all of them, maybe aside from Clichy who has missed a lot of games, have looked poor in the majority. Our defensive performances have been excellent when Kompany has played. I think we have conceded 1 in 8 games. Without him I think we are conceding on average 2 goals a game or thereabouts.

So I stand by my assessment. Without Kompany, we have been a complete joke at the back. I don't see how anyone can argue any differently. None of them have played well without Kompany.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Defensively yes all of them, maybe aside from Clichy who has missed a lot of games, have looked poor in the majority. Our defensive performances have been excellent when Kompany has played. I think we have conceded 1 in 8 games. Without him I think we are conceding on average 2 goals a game or thereabouts.

So I stand by my assessment. Without Kompany, we have been a complete joke at the back. I don't see how anyone can argue any differently. None of them have played well without Kompany.

Tend to agree although Mangala is prone to the most individual mistakes.

In fact I would say the vast majority of the side are under performing this season. I would only exempt Fernandinho, Kompany and Hart from that criticism. De bruyne has done some good things individually but his introduction has unsettled the balance of the side. I've been happy with Navas work rate but not his end product.

I mostly place the blame with the manager though. He should be getting them to increase performance levels, both individually and as a team.

 

[cityboy1]

So Otamendi, Sagna, Kolarov, and Clichy have all looked "a complete joke"? I think everyone would agree that we have issues defending, as a team, but your comment is over the top

Hasn't clichy been injured for the majority of the season and sagna has been good up until a few weeks ago most likely because hes pretty much played every game and its starting to show.

 

[ono]

Hasn't clichy been injured for the majority of the season and sagna has been good up until a few weeks ago most likely because hes pretty much played every game and its starting to show.

Sagna was at fault for the first goal against Liverpool when he has the ball taken off him (Mangala too because he put it in) and then for both goals against Stoke where he basically couldn't be arsed getting goal side of the scorer for both his goals. All 3 errors were in the opening 15 minutes and the reason for his errors were poor ball control and a lack of concentration.

 

[Essex blue]

Sorry guys I don't agree with most of the comments.

i believe it's the system and midfield causing issues. We play a high line and look for off side but as Liverpool showed its easy to beat with a deep runner on the flank picking up a neat flick or back heel to spring the offside.

Yaya just jogs about pretending to be closing down but rarely tackles, Kdb doesn't get back enough to help out, fern puts a shift in but gets caught out of position when we lose the ball.

The defence just needs a bit more cover ie big Nige de Jong type.

When we attack we only seem to have one player in their penalty box with everyone else outside waiting to pick up any clearances.

Arsenal were lucky as we should have scored at least 3 and our defence restricted them to very little.

A bit more intensity to our team play and we will be back to wiping the floor with teams.

 

[cityboy1]

Sagna was at fault for the first goal against Liverpool when he has the ball taken off him (Mangala too because he put it in) and then for both goals against Stoke where he basically couldn't be arsed getting goal side of the scorer for both his goals. All 3 errors were in the opening 15 minutes and the reason for his errors were poor ball control and a lack of concentration.

tbf with him hes 33 and hes playing pretty much every game and the full backs in our system put in a lot of work well atleast there meant to.

 

[Steve68]

tbf with him hes 33 and hes playing pretty much every game and the full backs in our system put in a lot of work well atleast there meant to.

Yea. Sagna is doing a stalwart job as what he is. A free backup.

 

[cityboy1]

Sorry guys I don't agree with most of the comments.

i believe it's the system and midfield causing issues. We play a high line and look for off side but as Liverpool showed its easy to beat with a deep runner on the flank picking up a neat flick or back heel to spring the offside.

Yaya just jogs about pretending to be closing down but rarely tackles, Kdb doesn't get back enough to help out, fern puts a shift in but gets caught out of position when we lose the ball.

The defence just needs a bit more cover ie big Nige de Jong type.

When we attack we only seem to have one player in their penalty box with everyone else outside waiting to pick up any clearances.

Arsenal were lucky as we should have scored at least 3 and our defence restricted them to very little.

A bit more intensity to our team play and we will be back to wiping the floor with teams.

You are partially right but we will always be playing a high line and tbh he has the physical attributes to overcome some of the problems in the system so in theory he should be one of the best suited to the system.

 

[Essex blue]

You are partially right but we will always be playing a high line and tbh he has the physical attributes to overcome some of the problems in the system so in theory he should be one of the best suited to the system.

Mangala has plenty of ability and can pass a ball ( sometimes lol) but rarely gets praised for his good work ie when he started the season along side kompany.

His confidence is shot at the moment and a more defensive midfield would suit him fine. I don't think he is much worse than other defenders in he league if they were exposed to the counter attack the way are team just walk back once the ball is behind them.