Should we do what Low did for Germany with Mertesacker and bench him when we come up against fast, top quality attacks. I love Mert, he loves the club, he is a top footballer, but the unfortunate truth is that he is one of the slowest players in the PL. Yes, he does make up for it a lot with his positioning and anticipation.
However, when we play a Man City with Aguero, Negredo and Silva, or a Liverpool with Sturridge and Sterling, and perhaps a Chelsea with Costa, Fabregas and Hazard, I think he becomes too much of a liability, and I think in particular against Man City and Liverpool this was shown to be the case last year.
Don't get me wrong, him and Kos are and should still be our no.1 partnership, but I just think there are some games where just need to bring in Vermaelen/new signing for the sake of keeping it tight. Germany were right to do so and I think we would be too.
Be sensible with Mert?
posted on 24/7/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 24/7/14
It's a good point, and it's something I've been advocating for a while.
As good as Mertesacker is, the Liverpool game last season showed we will get torn apart if we try and play a high-line with him in the side.
We at least need the option of bringing someone more mobile in if we are to consider switching to a high-line when we're chasing the game.
posted on 24/7/14
Fast attacks......
'and perhaps a Chelsea with Costa, Fabregas and Hazard'
posted on 24/7/14
Said this all along... love the guy but he can only play in one system and that system doesn't suit the majority of our players.
posted on 24/7/14
In home games he's kept Suarez and Aguero quiet. It's away games where he's pace gets found out.
posted on 24/7/14
I wouldn't say his pace was the issue in the away games last season. I think it was more his inability to deal with 4 or 5 opposition attackers as his full backs saunter back and the CMs dilly dally in covering the opponents.
posted on 24/7/14
comment by 50-Alexis (U1147)
posted 2 minutes ago
In home games he's kept Suarez and Aguero quiet. It's away games where he's pace gets found out.
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God point and you would think we would be more susceptible to counter attacks at home than away
posted on 24/7/14
comment by HUNTING FOR GLORY (U16317)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by 50-Alexis(U1147)
posted 2 minutes ago
In home games he's kept Suarez and Aguero quiet. It's away games where he's pace gets found out.
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God point and you would think we would be more susceptible to counter attacks at home than away
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Good*
posted on 24/7/14
He needs protection from a DM not to be benched. Positioning and anticipation are better qualities for a CB to possess than pace!
posted on 24/7/14
One of my favourite Per moments was at Anfield in 2012-13: Suarez running at him with space in behind and he just coolly sticks out a leg and takes the ball. He generally does well against quick players. He generally does well. Obviously he can be bypassed at times and he has good and bad games, as any player does.
I do agree that defending higher up the pitch was a big issue in our heavy losses and I'd tend to stick with Per. I do hope Verm stays though, he has experience and was solid last season.