08 Mar 2024 16:42:37
Edd001 can quansah be as good or even better than saliba?
{Ed001's Note - I wish. He doesn't have the speed off the mark, which is always going to disadvantage him at times. Technically it is possible he could be that good but he will always lack that little edge on the physical side.}
08 Mar 2024 21:09:47
Saliba and Gabriel frustrate out of me. They don’t track runners they just block the run before it’s made either by obstructing but more often by grabbing and holding.
It’s a tactic they’ve used for a couple of years and the referees just let them get away with it. It would be interesting to see how good Saliba actually is if the refs would penalise him for the holding. Then he would actually have to run a lot more during games and have to actually defend.
09 Mar 2024 02:46:32
Just wondering Ed001, When a defender lacks the speed and physical side of his game, what does he need to develop in order to make up for that? Thank you.
{Ed001's Note - reading of the game. If he understands where he needs to be, then he doesn't need pace most of the time. That is difficult to develop in the modern game because players are not playing their game, they are doing what the coach wants. I mean centre-backs. They don't play a line to suit themselves, they will defend deep or hold a high line based on instructions, rather than on what the situation entails. Because of that, they are not really learning to judge for themselves.}
09 Mar 2024 04:49:30
Thank you Ed001. This seems like the player's ability is being affected by the coach's philosophy in the modern game. Is there a more balanced approach to this practice Ed001?
{Ed001's Note - the problem is that they don't get enough time just playing footie with their mates in the streets to become natural footballers. Kids just can't do that in England these days, too many cars so very few places.to play.}
09 Mar 2024 07:31:30
Regarding Quansah’s strength, his body looks like he has more to fill out. He has a frame that the trainers can strengthen and add muscle to. I don’t see issues there myself. I think he has an aggressive and assertive way of playing too that will help him.
09 Mar 2024 12:25:26
Sami Hyypia is a prime example of a centre half in the modern game, who could read a game perfectly but lacked pace . Great defender.
09 Mar 2024 13:26:29
Hansen gave the impression he could be reading a book and still nothing would get past him!
09 Mar 2024 13:47:04
I remember it was said about Paul McGrath too, many years ago now especially when his knees were really starting to go.
09 Mar 2024 21:18:52
Good player Pau McGrath, wouldn’t have been our of place as a DM either.
10 Mar 2024 10:19:12
Stromsgodset, that is true but I wouldn't want to stick Hyppia in the middle to high defensive lines teams play today. If you ain't got any type of consistent pace in your game, you being able to read the play won't matter that much, IMO cos at the end of the day, defending just comes down to someone being able to win a foot race at times.