02 Sep 2022 12:27:13
Hi Ed01, watching Martinez so far this season looks like an excellent buy but lots of criticism about his lack of height, i'd just like to know your opinion of him? Because I know you have a good eye for spotting good players.

{Ed001's Note - I remember reading about Paisley moving Thompson to centreback and all of the height stuff was said then and he did alright. Height is not that important. A good leap and most of all good timing of the leap is far more important and he possesses both. What I like about him most is that he exhibits leadership characteristics. He looks a very good signing to me.

There is no question about his ability on the ball or overall defending, that tells me a lot that the only issue being brought up is height.}

1.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 12:49:29
Yeah, the leadership is massive. Varane needs to be directed and is playing way better alongside him. It’s what United needed because De Gea isn’t a leader either, and Maguire can’t even hold a line, let alone organise others.

2.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 13:21:17
His enthusiasm is infectious. Dalot sliding in and blocking a cross that resulted in a goal kick and they pop up high fiving each other. Although from the outside it may look a tad cringe celebrating something as innocuous as a goal kick, but it's showing there's a togetherness and a bond beginning. That's something the squad has lacked for a long time. They were a bunch of individuals all blaming everyone else for our failings. Now we're working hard for each other. Very refreshing.

3.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 13:25:45
There is a great video on TIFO about Martinez and the height conundrum for CBs.

4.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 13:36:56
Every centre half in the world has been bullied by a centre forward at some point but you can bet your bottom dollar when Martinez does it will be highlighted 10 fold and his height mentioned constantly especially Numpty Souness and Agbonlahor who can’t wait to have a dig at anything Utd.

5.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 14:05:47
Gotta say I'm happy to be eating humble pie on Martinez. He has made me think twice. Was not convinced with his height but he has not faltered.

6.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 14:42:45
Martinez has played well, looks a good reader of the game, gets his angles right and makes key blocks, decisive and forceful. Alongside Varane he has looked solid, no gaps. I think it was a mistake to throw him in for his first game away at Brentford but against more footballing sides he has definitely looked the part.

7.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 14:52:16
Martinez has been our best signing of the summer so far. Which is saying something considering that Malacia and Eriksen have both looked very good for us. Obviously we can't judge Casemiro and Antony yet as they haven't started a game.

He's a real leader, has fight and attitude. He also has the brains to read the game well and defend intelligently. While he has all the technical qualities on the ball to play out from the back with skill and class.

Top class signing and I am enjoying him make the ABU's eat humble pie.

8.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 14:58:34
I’m more than happy with that pairing now. I, like many, were sceltical about Martinez. But so far, happy to be proven wrong. He’s a warrior. As close to Rio and Vidic as we’ve had for some time.

9.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 15:20:12
Foreman C. Vidic was great but he got bullied by Torres. Height notwithstanding, sometimes the matchups don't work. You can't ask for more than Martinez gives you: quality + 100% every minute of every game.

10.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 16:30:20
Thing I like best about him is he's a bit of a wind up merchant. Lots of little niggles like hand in the face while getting off the floor with an opposing player after a tackle.

11.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 17:12:05
I would suggest for me Eriksen has been the strongest signing so far. Literally the first time in a decade a player has gone into that midfield and shown anything whatsoever. But they've all done great. You can see the impact of getting in the right players to fit a specific system.
Long term future doesn't look great for any of the defenders we've been leaving out. I think it's likely we'd move for Timber next summer again once Ajax have had a chance to calm down and spend their £200m or whatever it is.

12.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 21:05:06
I did say on here after the first 2 games that Martinez was going to make some pundits look very stupid, it’s almost like judging a player on his first 2 games isn’t a sensible thing to do.

It’s like people now saying Arsenal will challenge for the title when they are yet to face a decent side. They may do well this year but until they have played a lot more games it’s impossible to know. People are so reactionary now, 2 weeks ago we were getting relegated, now we are challenging for top 4, the league this early means very little.

13.) 02 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 23:19:13
Pundits gds2?
He was slated on here by many of the above as was malacia before he even kicked a ball.

14.) 03 Sep 2022
02 Sep 2022 21:11:02
ED001,

What are your thoughts on Malacia aswell?

So far I've been really impressed. He is another player whi really puts the effort in on the pitch aswell.

{Ed001's Note - I am with you on that. He looks a major upgrade. I know that might not be saying much, but I think he will grow as a player and become a key part of the team. I can see why Ten Hag was so keen to bring him in and it was definitely an area of the pitch that you desperately needed to improve. He really looks so well suited to the English game that he could very well be a fixture in the team for years to come.}

15.) 03 Sep 2022
03 Sep 2022 10:47:08
Ken,

I know, it was ridiculous, but my comment was more about Carragher who said he will never make it in the premier league because he’s small. It’s such a lazy thing to say about a player that won the Ajax player of the season last season. Won’t be long before he loses a header and people are all over him again, yet what he lacks in height he makes up for in brains, passion and aggression 10 fold.

16.) 03 Sep 2022
03 Sep 2022 11:34:11
Totally agree.