Virgil van Dijk

[Charlesfarsbar]

I agree, but I do worry to some extent that he's a product of a very good system which does its upmost to protect the back four. Don't get me wrong I think he's excellent but I wonder if he'd be the same imperious defender here as we tend to leave our CB's exposed more.

Bingo

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

On the face of it he has every attribute required to play for us. However, I've not seen enough of him to say whether he's any better than what we have, or capable of handling the pressure that comes with playing for a title challenging team.

 

[bluemc]

So no hallmarks then, it's just a player you don't rate personally.

Van Dijk has probably been the best centre half in the league this season. Not only is he available but he's used to the league and has shown he can perform in it.

Rewind a couple of years. To that striker at Swansea who was the "best" in terms of scoring more goals in a calendar year than anyone else. He was available at a price, and familiar with a league he'd shown he could perform in.

It doesn't always translate and we need to make sure we only buy if there's a long term plan around the structure of our defence. Not purchase on a short term, flavour of the month basis.

 

[domalino]

Rewind a couple of years. To that striker at Swansea who was the "best" in terms of scoring more goals in a calendar year than anyone else. He was available at a price, and familiar with a league he'd shown he could perform in.

It doesn't always translate and we need to make sure we only buy if there's a long term plan around the structure of our defence. Not purchase on a short term, flavour of the month basis.

So it's like Bony because he's familiar with the league, and is doing well.

By that logic we can never sign anyone from the premier league ever.

 

[blueparrot]

Rewind a couple of years. To that striker at Swansea who was the "best" in terms of scoring more goals in a calendar year than anyone else. He was available at a price, and familiar with a league he'd shown he could perform in.

It doesn't always translate and we need to make sure we only buy if there's a long term plan around the structure of our defence. Not purchase on a short term, flavour of the month basis.

So Bony going wrong, after malaria don't forget, is the reason to avoid a January signing ?. I heard of a lorry going off the road and running people down so now I never walk on pavements. If we go for Van Dijk it will be done as a long term signing, as was Bony doesn't guarantee success but doesn't mean it won't be either. Bony is irrelevant to the decision.

 

[bluemc]

So it's like Bony because he's familiar with the league, and is doing well.

By that logic we can never sign anyone from the premier league ever.

Not what I said.

Hopefully the club acknowledge the weakness in our defence and buy (or promote from within) the right personnel to suit our long term plan. Not knee jerk sign someone who is available because it would be a potentially quick and easy transfer (buy out clause).

VVD is undoubtedly a good player, but I hope that if the club go after him, they watch him extensively and make sure he will fit and perform well within our system. It's clear that didn't happen with Bony, so hopefully we learn from our mistakes.

 

[bluemc]

So Bony going wrong, after malaria don't forget, is the reason to avoid a January signing ?. I heard of a lorry going off the road and running people down so now I never walk on pavements. If we go for Van Dijk it will be done as a long term signing, as was Bony doesn't guarantee success but doesn't mean it won't be either. Bony is irrelevant to the decision.

Bony simply wasn't good enough for us, and didn't fit in with our style of play. Wish him all the best but he wasn't what we needed, and never showed otherwise. Poor scouting and planning.

As I've said above, hopefully we plan better with our next central defender. As another poster has alluded to, VVD looks good for Southampton and their system works for him. With respect to Southampton, we have loftier ambitions and a different style of play so the club need to make sure he's both good enough and versatile enough to make that step. If he, or anyone else out there is considered good enough, then I think we NEED to strengthen in January if we are to tighten up at the back.

 

[Yates]

What? If you are talking about physically dominating then Stones is the same size as Van Dijk. if you are talking about skill then I don't think Van Dijk is as good as Stones and he sure as shit isn't as good as Bonucci.

Physically is what I meant. Stones is lightweight for his size and doesn't have the same aggression as Van Dijk either. Van Dijk is more powerful than the both of them which is what we need. I'd happily have Bonucci but that ain't happening.

 

[Uptop]

Honestly think he only looks so good due to the system they play. He is a good player but like we have seen with other teams, playing a defensive formation can make any defender look competent if they are never exposed (Cahill at chelsea a few seasons back / Spurs defence recently / Rags with the turtle) but this usually impacts on them going forward. At Celtic Denayer looked every bit as good as him and he was deemed not good enough for us yet. Dijk is much more physically developed but isnt that great on the ball for me.

With the way we play I dont think he will be the same rock he is now, like how the other CBs we sign suddenly seem to forget how to defend once we sign them when looking class in other setups. I believe it is down to the system rather than the players.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Van Dijk is a miles more talented individual than Otamendi for instance.

He's stronger, miles faster, miles better in the air when challenged & miles better on the ball.

That doesn't mean he will actually 'be' any better playing in our team.

It will be a gamble, not a sure thing, if we or any other top side signs him. It may be that Pep has other ideas for the future, in which case, we won't sign him as a stop gap.