Is Benatia actually a world class player?

It's tough to call somebody world class when they haven't even played at the highest level.

I think if we sort the midfield out, we would be OK until next summer. If the defence wasn't so exposed, we wouldn't have as big an issue. I want Smalling and Jones to have a solid year, playing regularly at CB.

I don't think he is. I believe he will switch to a back 4 and with Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Evans, Blackett and possibly Blind too he might feel he has enough to work with there. I agree there is a lack of a dominant experienced CB amongst them but hopefully a couple of them will step up to the plate. Don't forget they haven't been getting much midfield protection if LVG signs the likes of De Jong this week that will help the CB's.

I think LVG would like to add Blind and and Vidal but if he's not available then De Jong will likely come in. I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Lucas Silva was bought too. United seem to have been monitoring him closely and at around £8m may been seen as one who can help out immediately but more so with one eye on the future.

We will give Jones, Smalling and Evans a chance.

LVG has just biought Rojo. He isn't going to buy another CB.

Midfield, that is where the heart of all our problems lay.

If we go with what we have at the back well be leaking goals all season.

We have issues in midfield but our defence is poor to say the least.

comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 38 seconds ago
If we go with what we have at the back well be leaking goals all season.

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We leaked goals last season with better players than what we have now at the back.

Stop teams running through the middle, then the defence doesn't get over run. It really is simple.

Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 17 seconds ago
If we go with what we have at the back well be leaking goals all season.
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I don't know, we are missing Rafael, Shaw and Rojo is yet to kick a ball.

Conceding 3 goals in 2 games in a new system that not a single one of our players has played in the past isn't a disaster, and there have been good signs from Jones and Blackett.

-------------De Gea
Rafael-Jones-Smalling-Shaw

It's not what dreams are made of, but we aren't winning a title this season regardless so it may be the perfect time to blood these lads in and give them some responsibility.

I don't know, we are missing Rafael,
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And will be for half a season. If previous form is anything to go buy.

Im not particually hopeful with rojo.

And hopefully this shaw injury is a one off.

Evans is our best CB atm. Smalling has regressed and jones for me is just poor.

If we are really changing back to a back four, then what a complete joke spending the last two months on the players getting used to 3 at the back. Is this season already a right-off!

Evans is our best CB atm

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Really. Last time I looked he was injured. Which seems to be your issue with Rafa.

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Im not particually hopeful with rojo.

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Based on what his fantasy football stats.

Wait until he has kicked a ball for us before making such an idiotic judgement.

comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 21 minutes ago
I don't know, we are missing Rafael,
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And will be for half a season. If previous form is anything to go buy.

Im not particually hopeful with rojo.

And hopefully this shaw injury is a one off.

Evans is our best CB atm. Smalling has regressed and jones for me is just poor.
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How has Smalling regressed?

It's tough to call somebody world class when they haven't even played at the highest level.
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I don't disagree but what is the highest level? By most accounts this guy was the best defender in Italy last season.

We just spent £30m on Shaw after one decent (hardly world class) season and Benatia would probably cost less than him.

Besides, if we can't get Hummels, Benatia or Varane then which CB do the fans think we should sign? I am struggling to think of a "world class" (or even close) CB who is available to us.

It does seem odd though that we don't appear to have prioritised CB in this window. Still time yet but I don't think we should be splashing £30m+ on a CB to be honest unless he really is the business.

redmisty (U7556)
posted 10 minutes ago
It's tough to call somebody world class when they haven't even played at the highest level.
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I don't disagree but what is the highest level? By most accounts this guy was the best defender in Italy last season.
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Doing it in the CL, World Cup, even Europa would be a start.

The lad is 27 (?) and has only one season of playing at a high level to his name.

I've not seen him so couldn't possibly comment on whether he was the best defender in Serie A. If he is better than Cheillini I'd be surprised it took him so long to be noticed.

The lad is 27 (?) and has only one season of playing at a high level to his name.
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I agree - that isn't the best CV.

But who's is better and is he available?