06 Nov 2018 10:26:09
Saw a post from Ken about Smalling in defense etc and the response.
Like to follow up I. That on what people think about putting Matic as our CB.
I feel Matic May have passed his top as a MF but he still is a reasonable good DMF. That said he lose out in pace most of time but I think he will make a good CB heading our defense. He is calm and collected and can read well game well. He is not a rash as Smalling. He could become an image of Vidic. With his experience in MF he would be able to be a good potential CB. That's my take. Call it crazy if you want but I think we could still use him well in defense. Well at least better than Smalling 😉.

1.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 10:36:22
666 so play matic and smalling as CB?

Or do you think rojo bailly or lindelof are ahead of smalling as Jose first choice cb?

2.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 10:52:17
I think our biggest problem is not the defenders but the lack of confidence. We had one of the best defenses in the league last year and all of a sudden we can't defend at all. All of them need a confidence boost. Look at Shaw, he got a lucky bounce and scored and then has gone from strength to strength. Lindelof had a good game and built on that confidence. I don't want to blame the manager but I will say I don't see Mourinho as someone who is good at building confidence. If I saw my manager having a go at me in the media and saying I'm not good enough then my confidence is going to be low and I'm going to play badly. Its a self fulfilling prophecy.

3.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 11:30:57
You think Matic would win headers? I swear his feet are bolted to the ground, I honestly think Shaqiri would outjump him.

Whether he was rushed back from an injury or he is just out of form he needs a spell out of the team with Herrera replacing him.

4.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 14:51:49
After the last game I just don't want to see Smalling on the pitch, it was awful to watch. I truly believe our best CB is Bailey, I hope Mou just sort out things with him and make the best of him.

5.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 16:11:26
As I pointed out yesterday his issue is he has the turning circle of the RMS Titanic. His lack of mobility will be a serious problem in defense especially if Jose ever wanted to play a high line.

One of our main issues this season is the defense is being exposed by our midfield being so easily to bypass. Matic is a big part of that. Having him as the last line of defence would just give opposition attackers a run at DDG without a defence between them.

Matic is sadly finished at the top level. That is the problem when you target players in their late 20's/ early 30's. You might only get one or two good seasons out of them before they start declining. This can be further exasperated if they take a season to settle into the team fully.

Matic struggled with his stamina, he has rarely had more than a good month or two at the start of a season following an international tournament. His last season at Chelsea was very poor coming off of the Euro's. He then had a full summers rest before his debut season for us. Which meant he had a decent season. However, he still tailed off in the last couple of months. Then he went to the world cup this summer and he as been poor since. He might do okay at the start of next season after a summer of rest, but I would expect him to have started tailing off before Easter of not sooner as the march of time further reduced his stamina.

That's why I feel he is finished at the highest level. Maybe he could prolong his career if he moves to a less physically demanding league.

6.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 16:36:29
Thanks all for the response. Gives me good perspective of the diversity of thoughts. At least one thing I am sure is that we have a good supporter base who wants the best for our club.
Hope we give Juve a good fight and win if possible and take the fight to City.

7.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 18:06:52
Matic is not a cb hmind you he gas tried gerrera and mctominay so its on the cards😂😂
Darmian who has natural defencive instincts would get my vote before matic.

8.) 06 Nov 2018
06 Nov 2018 21:09:35
Harsh on matic shappy. I still think he is a cracking footballer who looks a bit tired to be honest. I also think he benefits from having a player like Herrera in there.