10-09-2020, 17:08
Hello all, long time no post. Probably because things went so well last season so I didn't have much to moan about. Although I did nearly have a meltdown when we stumbled over the line at the end of the season.
Regarding Ivanovic, it's an interesting link.
Personally, I understand the move... Firstly, we lack experience at the back. Secondly, i'm not sure our full back are good enough. Thirdly, he's a steely character, a winner...
If you think back to last season, Bilic preferred 1 defensive full back who held position (Ferguson) as first choice. After Ferguson was injured, Furlong and O'Shea were constantly in and out of that position but I never felt that Bilic was convinced by either hence the constant rotation. Futhermore, when Gibbs was injured, Ferguson was moved to left back because Bilic trusts Townsend even less than the right backs.
At the moment, one of these right backs is our first choice, yet they were deemed behind Ferguson last year... Bilic can't be happy with that.
For me personally, O'Shea has a lot of potential, but I understand Bilic proceeding with caution as he's had half a good season at Championship level. Personally I have question marks over both Furlong and Townsend defensively, at this level. It's a shame because Townsend come on leaps and bounds on the ball last season. But does he have the defensive power to deal with players like Adama, Salah and the like? The thought makes me shudder.
With Ivanovic, he covers the whole back line and chips in with goals because of his power in the air. It gives the opposition a lot more to think about when defending set plays when you have a full back who has this aerial power. Should we be short in midfield and need to use Ajayi there (which I fear will happen, as IMO we needed legs in the middle of the park and has been completely ignored) this could mean 4 really good headers of the ball for the opposition to mark.
He also will come without a transfer fee, so will probably act as a 'stop gap' in a summer where we have had to spend just to get the side back together that we had last season.
Now, if he's good enough at his age remains to be seen and that is the worry. I confess, I've watched nothing of Zenit in the past few years. But I don't think just because lost his way at Chelsea means he isn't good enough for us - let's remember, they won the title in his last season there and he still played some games that year. Worst case, he comes, isn't good enough and just adds some experience in the dressing room. As bizarre as it sounds given how old the squad have been in previous Premier League season, I think we need some experience and steel now.
Regarding Ivanovic, it's an interesting link.
Personally, I understand the move... Firstly, we lack experience at the back. Secondly, i'm not sure our full back are good enough. Thirdly, he's a steely character, a winner...
If you think back to last season, Bilic preferred 1 defensive full back who held position (Ferguson) as first choice. After Ferguson was injured, Furlong and O'Shea were constantly in and out of that position but I never felt that Bilic was convinced by either hence the constant rotation. Futhermore, when Gibbs was injured, Ferguson was moved to left back because Bilic trusts Townsend even less than the right backs.
At the moment, one of these right backs is our first choice, yet they were deemed behind Ferguson last year... Bilic can't be happy with that.
For me personally, O'Shea has a lot of potential, but I understand Bilic proceeding with caution as he's had half a good season at Championship level. Personally I have question marks over both Furlong and Townsend defensively, at this level. It's a shame because Townsend come on leaps and bounds on the ball last season. But does he have the defensive power to deal with players like Adama, Salah and the like? The thought makes me shudder.
With Ivanovic, he covers the whole back line and chips in with goals because of his power in the air. It gives the opposition a lot more to think about when defending set plays when you have a full back who has this aerial power. Should we be short in midfield and need to use Ajayi there (which I fear will happen, as IMO we needed legs in the middle of the park and has been completely ignored) this could mean 4 really good headers of the ball for the opposition to mark.
He also will come without a transfer fee, so will probably act as a 'stop gap' in a summer where we have had to spend just to get the side back together that we had last season.
Now, if he's good enough at his age remains to be seen and that is the worry. I confess, I've watched nothing of Zenit in the past few years. But I don't think just because lost his way at Chelsea means he isn't good enough for us - let's remember, they won the title in his last season there and he still played some games that year. Worst case, he comes, isn't good enough and just adds some experience in the dressing room. As bizarre as it sounds given how old the squad have been in previous Premier League season, I think we need some experience and steel now.