Now, I expect this is down to the pure desperation of the CB situation and I appreciate it was only Ipswich, but did he look a bit better last night? Left footed LCB, can pass the ball a bit, little bit more pace than Ream, sounds a bit like our shopping list?
Tell me I've gone completely mad from F5ing the forum too much looking for the mere mention of a CB, and I have abandoned all sense of logic and reason, in the seemingly fruitless search for a defensive saviour?
MLM needs game time he has been in and out of the squad.
Anyone with half a brain needs to know if a player needs confidence it's only through game time you can't keep dropping him without him finding consistency or rhythm.
I thought he was good on the ball, but then that's always been his main strength so it didn't surprise me. Had an oops moment but then we also know he has that in him. Noticed he struggled at times with the physicality of Ipswich's striker at times in the first half, although in the PL there aren't too many cloggers he'd have to deal with via route one football. Don't think he's the answer long term but maybe in some games with a bit of confidence he might be able to get through - he's certainly got to be a CB rather than LB at this level as he's not quick enough as a wide defender
Quote from: fulhamfever on September 17, 2020, 10:57:20 AM
MLM needs game time he has been in and out of the squad.
Anyone with half a brain needs to know if a player needs confidence it's only through game time you can't keep dropping him without him finding consistency or rhythm.
Yes, obviously, but does he come in to partner Hector?
Quote from: Deeping_white on September 17, 2020, 11:00:06 AM
I thought he was good on the ball, but then that's always been his main strength so it didn't surprise me. Had an oops moment but then we also know he has that in him. Noticed he struggled at times with the physicality of Ipswich's striker at times in the first half, although in the PL there aren't too many cloggers he'd have to deal with via route one football. Don't think he's the answer long term but maybe in some games with a bit of confidence he might be able to get through - he's certainly got to be a CB rather than LB at this level as he's not quick enough as a wide defender
Absolutely agree he's not a LB. Not here anyway. And totally agree about the physicality and that he wouldn't face a huge amount in the PL. Hmm. Could he be a potential starter until a better option is brought in? Now he has time to settle in, he might have more to offer than we had all come to think? After all, he was brought on late in games as the additional CB last season too and we didn't concede a goal.
Maybe there is a route back for him like (but obviously on a different level!) Anguissa?
I don't want to be overly harsh but if Le Marchand is Hector's regular partner we'll be rivalling our Premier League points tally from two years ago.
Quote from: paulbrookersmazydribbles on September 17, 2020, 11:08:15 AM
I don't want to be overly harsh but if Le Marchand is Hector's regular partner we'll be rivalling our Premier League points tally from two years ago.
Yes, maybe, this is what I was struggling with. Could it work or am I looking for things that aren't there. This is the situation TK has left us in leaving it this late for a CB.
Personally though, in the PL at least, I'd start him or even Odoi above Ream with Hector as believe me, we will be rivalling Derby's tally if we don't change that!
In a word, no. MLM can pick a pass and is generally ok with the ball at his feet but he's not a very good defender. This idea that the PL is somehow less physical is nonsense. There's plenty of physical strikers, they just also have the technical side which the lower league strikers don't have. e.g. Harry Kane. He doesn't win headers and doesn't like the physical battle. But he also is made to look poor by clever movement and good skills. So, quite simply, he's not good enough at PL level as a CB. A bit like Calum Chambers, he probably good become an ok makeshift CDM, but not what we need right now.
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
Confidence breeds confidence MLM has the ability just go for it we have Leeds and Villa next
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
:005:
Quote from: bencher on September 17, 2020, 12:28:59 PM
In a word, no. MLM can pick a pass and is generally ok with the ball at his feet but he's not a very good defender. This idea that the PL is somehow less physical is nonsense. There's plenty of physical strikers, they just also have the technical side which the lower league strikers don't have. e.g. Harry Kane. He doesn't win headers and doesn't like the physical battle. But he also is made to look poor by clever movement and good skills. So, quite simply, he's not good enough at PL level as a CB. A bit like Calum Chambers, he probably good become an ok makeshift CDM, but not what we need right now.
Fair.
We'll he's always got us fans to give him confidence. It must be annoying playing the odd 4 / 5 minutes at the end of matches.
To be honest 'he's just got on with it'. If / when Seri makes tracks, I think MLM will follow. I think his English was a issue when he first signed.
MLM is nowhere near as bad as people on here paint him. I think it is just the bully boy tactics that plagues the internet
He passed the ball very well, I didn't realise he had the cross field pass in his locker. I think that could be useful and Ream never does that.
Still not sure who's better at defending though and wouldn't want either to be starting.
Quote from: Andy S on September 17, 2020, 01:08:44 PM
MLM is nowhere near as bad as people on here paint him. I think it is just the bully boy tactics that plagues the internet
It's all relative isn't it. Obviously he is not pub team bad. He's made a career for himself as a professional footballer at a high level, but he's not well suited to English football. I don't think he was regarded as one of the better Ligue 1 centre backs, but he looks worse over here. We need someone that can stand up to the battle against quick witted, fleet of foot and aggressive strikers, and he's just not that guy. I'm happy to keep him as a back up at around 4th choice.
The opinions that swing drastically on one game. We've seen enough over what 20 pl games to know mlm isn't up to prem quality. He also did not impress when he turned out in the championship. Could he suddenly improve and make it. Maybe but we can't really afford to find out the answer is still no.
We need to play all 3 in a back 5 I think
Areola
Ream Hector mlm
Tete Reed robinson
Anguissa lamina
Cairney
Mitro
Quote from: RoyTund on September 17, 2020, 02:03:09 PM
The opinions that swing drastically on one game. We've seen enough over what 20 pl games to know mlm isn't up to prem quality. He also did not impress when he turned out in the championship. Could he suddenly improve and make it. Maybe but we can't really afford to find out the answer is still no.
You could have typed the same about Ream. Hence these desperate thoughts. Really, a couple of CBs should have been brought in by now, but hey-ho...
Quote from: Stef 73 on September 17, 2020, 02:34:52 PM
Areola
Ream Hector mlm
Tete Reed robinson
Anguissa lamina
Cairney
Mitro
But if we have all of our available CBs on the field, who do we have on the bench and as cover for suspensions/injuries? If Odoi is called upon for starting line up, with have no one at all to put on the bench.
Putting it like this shows just how bad the situation is and that it is farcical letting Mawson go two weeks ago with no one lined up. Even without letting him go, priority number one at the final whistle in the play-off final was a CB...
I meant just for the leeds game as surely we will have someone in after that so we won't have to play 3 at cb to cover for each others incompetence and weakness
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
So you're saying there is an obvious choice! One question, which one is the punch to the face because I want no part of the other option 🥴!
Quote from: Stef 73 on September 17, 2020, 03:54:51 PM
I meant just for the leeds game as surely we will have someone in after that so we won't have to play 3 at cb to cover for each others incompetence and weakness
:54:
Odoi and MLM looked good last night, in fact the back four were beyond reproach but remember we were playing a leagu1 team.
A better team would have punished that defence a couple of times and that it all that it takes!
They were playing a League 1 side who were not even at full strength themselves.
Nice to see new players bedding in but far too early to make judgements.
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
True that
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
When deciding whose worse, I think you should trust the premier league who-scored stats. MLM stats imply that he is fairly typically of a relegated centre back, Ream stats in the PL are worst of any CB to start 20 games in a premier league season since 2008. The stats of 18/19 say MLM gets us relegated over a season by April, Ream gets us relegated before the winter transfer window opens. I would note even Lemina stats at centre back are better in Super Lig than Reams in PL.
I know Reams stats are worse than he looks and MLM stats seem to overestimate his standard, but if you start counting Reams errors each game for several games, it really adds up to a lot of mistakes that leads to goals, what is worse is Ream cannot be expected to improve at his age. MLM is a decent squad centre back, that isn't good enough to play every week and keep you up, but played in moderation he is ok.
Quote from: ByTheRiver on September 17, 2020, 11:03:20 AM
Quote from: fulhamfever on September 17, 2020, 10:57:20 AM
MLM needs game time he has been in and out of the squad.
Anyone with half a brain needs to know if a player needs confidence it's only through game time you can't keep dropping him without him finding consistency or rhythm.
Yes, obviously, but does he come in to partner Hector?
That's the thing for me really. I don't want both Ream and MLM on the pitch at the same time. I honestly don't think we lose anything if either player misses a few games. I rate them about equally.
MLM = player who at times is too confident on the ball.
Ream = at time not comfortable enough on the ball.
Still...thought MLM was good this game.
I always ask myself a simple question regarding defenders/defence, could Roy Hodgson get them to defend much, much better. With the defenders and defence we have, I would have to say yes. He drilled his defences so they could defend with their eyes closed. One season in the Prem we finished 7th under him and conceded 37 goals.
Quote from: The Rational Fan on September 18, 2020, 02:05:16 AM
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
When deciding whose worse, I think you should trust the premier league who-scored stats. MLM stats imply that he is fairly typically of a relegated centre back, Ream stats in the PL are worst of any CB to start 20 games in a premier league season since 2008. The stats of 18/19 say MLM gets us relegated over a season by April, Ream gets us relegated before the winter transfer window opens. I would note even Lemina stats at centre back are better in Super Lig than Reams in PL.
I know Reams stats are worse than he looks and MLM stats seem to overestimate his standard, but if you start counting Reams errors each game for several games, it really adds up to a lot of mistakes that leads to goals, what is worse is Ream cannot be expected to improve at his age. MLM is a decent squad centre back, that isn't good enough to play every week and keep you up, but played in moderation he is ok.
As per another thread- whoscored stats are laughable. Next "worst" CB is Conor Coady. It rates Rui Patricio as the worst GK in those defensive stats.
Quote from: Statto on September 17, 2020, 12:32:11 PM
Let's be honest, choosing between MLM and Ream is like choosing a kick in the nuts or punch in the face
Hahahaahahahaa
Think the main question about mlm is if he is ok as our 4th choice CB, or if we should try to shift him.
I really think we need a nr 1 and nr 3.
Nr 1
Hector
Nr 3
Ream/mlm- probably Ream initially and mlm to take over in time
Odoi
