TFM and Dalot

We really need some decent offensive options at full back.

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
We really need some decent offensive options at full back.
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That's Ethan Laird people are making noise about. I think timing wise it works as AWB will play most of the matches anyway

TFM was decent defensively but poor offensively

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A standard united fullback these days....

We really need some decent offensive options at full back.

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Having Fosu-Mensah at LB last night showed the importance of Shaw even though I'm not a huge fan.

Shaw isn't that good or consistent when it comes to end product but he's always been decent at carrying the ball and getting into threatening positions, a bit like Evra was and even though you'd want more from your full-back those are still valuable attributes to have when you have other options who can't or don't do those things as well.

In Laird and Williams we have too young offensive full-backs however Williams hasn't really yet shown what he's capable of further up the pitch. Although Shaw's been decent since the restart I'd still like to see Williams given a run because for me he offers a greater threat.

I think there’s a good player in TFM. He was a regular for his national side not that long ago before he lost his way and then got injured. He’s only 22 so has time on his side.

I could see him maybe having a John O’Shea role where he is good in a number of roles without ever nailing down any position long term.

Dalot like many have said just hasn’t done it. I wouldn’t write him off yet and if we could loan him out for a season we might be a bit clearer as to where he’s at.

If we need to sell him to raise funds for more important players I wouldn’t be too upset though.

Doesn’t reflect well on Dalot that TFM got picked ahead of him. I’d be surprised either of them are still at the club next season.

I like TFM and I though he had a good game defensively
there were times he did look clumsy, like his legs couldn't quite keep up with what he wanted to do but I will chalk that down to not playing in a while

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
Signing Dalot never made much sense at a time when we had two senior full-backs who needed replacing and two good young kids with potential coming through then as well.

What we could've really done with was somebody more equipped to deal with a full season of senior football at a high level in their peak or approaching it who would've slotted in right away. It still amazes me we never went for Ricardo given he was the first choice RB at Porto when Dalot was there.

Like most I thought Fosu-Mensah did alright all things considered. It was to be expected he'd be lacking in sharpness and have lapses of concentration. I don't think he's a full-back though, never really thought he was even though he's often done well when played there. Most people who'd watched him at youth level thought he'd end up through the middle eventually, either in midfield or at CB and I still think he'd be best used in one of those areas. I've always wanted to see him given a run in midfield.

If he could stay fit and find some form he'd be a useful player to have around given his versatility, physicality, energy and defensive ability. There isn't really a similar type of player in the squad.
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Agree with all of this.

I'd love for Tim to stay fit. Like Tuanzebe that's really 90% of the battle, because they are both talented, athletic and can cover a few positions.

I thought Tim was very good defensively, but on the wrong side of the pitch to really offer much going forwards given his natural tendency to take the ball on his stronger right foot meant he was more likely to pass infield or backwards.

I'd also like to see him tried in midfield. He's very fast, strong, aggressive and for me, technically better than McTominay for example. But we really do have too many players where we have to caveat their potential with the phrase, "if he can stay fit". It would be brilliant if he could become a handy utility player for us, at the very least.

comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
I think there’s a good player in TFM. He was a regular for his national side not that long ago before he lost his way and then got injured. He’s only 22 so has time on his side.

I could see him maybe having a John O’Shea role where he is good in a number of roles without ever nailing down any position long term.

Dalot like many have said just hasn’t done it. I wouldn’t write him off yet and if we could loan him out for a season we might be a bit clearer as to where he’s at.

If we need to sell him to raise funds for more important players I wouldn’t be too upset though.
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I like the idea of giving Dalot a loan for that purpose. He's never played with any consistency, and that may be exactly what he needs. Not everyone is an Ole. Most need an extended run of matches to find themselves.

Agree with all of this.

I'd love for Tim to stay fit. Like Tuanzebe that's really 90% of the battle, because they are both talented, athletic and can cover a few positions.

I thought Tim was very good defensively, but on the wrong side of the pitch to really offer much going forwards given his natural tendency to take the ball on his stronger right foot meant he was more likely to pass infield or backwards.

I'd also like to see him tried in midfield. He's very fast, strong, aggressive and for me, technically better than McTominay for example. But we really do have too many players where we have to caveat their potential with the phrase, "if he can stay fit". It would be brilliant if he could become a handy utility player for us, at the very least.

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He'd be my choice to cover for Matic because he reads the game better defensively than any of our other midfielders.

He has another year left so hopefully he can avoid injury and do enough to convince Ole he's worth keeping. He seemed pleased enough with how he got on last night.

If we're going to be losing 2 or 3 CBs, Dalot and we aren't signing a midfielder, there's room for Fosu-Mensah.