13 Aug 2018 11:24:45
Ed001 if you're around. I note that Garth Crooks is praising VVD highly in his weekend review on the BBC Sport page, even comparing him to the legendary Hansen. I recall you weren't entirely convinced before we signed him but have you changed your mind now? TBH I didn't see him play much at Saints so difficult for me to compare but I reckon he's inproved our defense significantly.

{Ed001's Note - not even close to Hansen. He has improved our defence, but he relies on his excellent physical attributes a bit too much. A little bit more alertness and he would not need to lean so heavily on them. Hansen, on the other hand, read the game superbly well so that he did not need to rely on being strong and fast. Van Dijk is good but not that level, not sure anyone is there days, players do not seem to read the game as well as they used to defensively.}

1.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 11:51:45
Thanks Ed001, can't argue with that. Think the game has changed too much for a Hansen type to thrive these days!

2.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 12:11:17
Totaly agree with that Ed, Hansen was so good at reading the game, thought the same about Maldini, and to a little lesser extent mcgrath, but not as composed on the ball as hansen, as Maldini said, "If i have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake. "

{Ed001's Note - exactly mate. But kids learn from watching games and hearing commentators praise the guy sliding in and making a tackle, because they don't understand the game. So they work on that side of the game and do not spend the time understanding the game. Physicality has become such a huge part of the game at the expense of intelligence.}

3.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 12:39:30
Oh behave.

doesn't matter how strong you are, tall, big whatever if your not in the right positions to use it.

He just muscles people of the ball because he is there to do it.

He makes a crap tone of interceptions aswel by reading the play, he cuts most stuff out on the half way line by timing.

Let's see if mina does what vvd is doing by just using his body 😂

Sometimes.

4.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 12:44:51
I just wouldn't listen to Garth crooks. He has no idea.

5.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 12:28:37
For me VVD has been brilliant since he came in but he can’t take all the credit. The rest of the back 4 and even Karius stepped up their game and I read earlier we haven’t conceded in the league at home in 6 months which is testament of that. Ed001 any chance of inventIng a time machine and bringing a in his prime Hansen and sticking him in this current team.

{Ed001's Note - I wish, him directing van Dijk would be perfect.}

6.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 12:29:28
Great report ed but you forgot to praise Pellegrino for his set up who in their right mind plays a high line against the quickest attack in the league.

{Ed001's Note - they didn't play well.}

7.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 13:00:29
That maldini quote is brilliant. Never heard that before.

8.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 14:24:55
Ed, do you not think it's the quality of the attacking play that's hindering defenders reading the game?
There are some real monsters in footballs attacking players these days, more so than there used to be in my opinion.

{Ed001's Note - not at all. I don't think quality has gone up in anything other than pace and strength. Technique is worse but pitches are so good it doesnt matter.}

9.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 16:50:26
VVD has done enough to get Gary Neville worried, so he’s doing something right.

10.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 22:01:22
Maldini once said him having to make a tackle, was a sign that he failed to do his job. Pretty sure there are NO defenders who think this way cos they are too busy trying to make highlight reel tackles for the cameras and social media.

VVD needs to improve in terms of reading the game and being able to anticipate danger and snuff it out before it happens. He is a physical specimen with immense ability. He will have a prolonged career if he is able to read the game well hence, not having to expend himself physically. Hopefully, he can get there cos ability wise, he lacks next to nothing.

11.) 13 Aug 2018
13 Aug 2018 22:23:53
Hansen was unbelievable. That Maldini quote is a personal favourite, I remember Xabi Alonso saying something to a similar effect a couple of years back. Though ski sunday I take issue with "and to a little lesser extent mcgrath", Mcgrath was every much as good at reading the game. The most naturally gifted defender of all time in my books, if not there abouts.