Elaquim Mangala

[Spurge]

Mangala is the centre half we've been heavily linked with - he and Fernando almost joined us in the last transfer window from Porto. Fernando was suspended for this so thought I'd tune in and keep an eye on Mangala.

Tonight was the first chance I've had to watch him and he was up against Sevillia in the Europa league q/f.

Sevillia ran out 4-1 winners on the night led 3-0 at h-t and despite a red card for Coke in the second half added a fourth for which Mangala was culpable. Caught totally out of position and ball watching - proper school boy stuff. I have to say for a big strong lad he looked pretty hopeless all night. I'm not wanting to judge him on one game and certainly trust our scouts so hopefully tonight was a blip particularly as we are talking big money - he made Demi look like a top quality defender!

Quaresma looked like an interesting proposition for Porto - didn't play particularly well but you could see he is a bit of a talent. Hit a terrific consolation for Porto right at the death.

Sevillia - terrific fans, what an atmosphere they created!

I see Quaresma banged in a couple for Porto v Bayern last night

wow
you should be our chief scout
send a link to this thread to tricky...

good idea

[South Stand Balti]

Mangala is the centre half we've been heavily linked with - he and Fernando almost joined us in the last transfer window from Porto. Fernando was suspended for this so thought I'd tune in and keep an eye on Mangala.

Tonight was the first chance I've had to watch him and he was up against Sevillia in the Europa league q/f.

Sevillia ran out 4-1 winners on the night led 3-0 at h-t and despite a red card for Coke in the second half added a fourth for which Mangala was culpable. Caught totally out of position and ball watching - proper school boy stuff. I have to say for a big strong lad he looked pretty hopeless all night. I'm not wanting to judge him on one game and certainly trust our scouts so hopefully tonight was a blip particularly as we are talking big money - he made Demi look like a top quality defender!

Quaresma looked like an interesting proposition for Porto - didn't play particularly well but you could see he is a bit of a talent. Hit a terrific consolation for Porto right at the death.

Sevillia - terrific fans, what an atmosphere they created!

I see Quaresma banged in a couple for Porto v Bayern last night

wow
you should be our chief scout
send a link to this thread to tricky...

good idea

Porto did well last night because they got rid of some dead wood last year.

[one man army]

Porto did well last night because they got rid of some dead wood last year.

immediately after i'd learned about the result I thought exactly the same thing. the amount the club spent on those two is so obscenely huge, it's almost embarrassing. however - mangala is still 24, still has not reached his peak. his confidence might've been dented because, as a new player, he is not trusted by fans, and they don't back him when the media feed on his mistakes. give him a good pre-season and one more round, and ship out if no progress seen. simples.

[JoelRobbo]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/ ... -i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

[dazby]

I think your article is ok. I think you've been harsh on the Mangler. Kollyrov and Sagna to go? Yep, I'd go with that.

[Sister of fu]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Glen Johnson.....really. Not a chance. Would rather see one of the kids come in. There is a reason Liverpool are getting ready to off load.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Far too harsh on Mangala, he hasn't justified his price tag so far but he's been nowhere near as bad as you're making out.

In his defence it can't be easy to settle into a squad that's underperforming, especially given the more experienced heads around him have been all at sea all season.

We've kept 10 clean sheets in the PL this season, Mangala has started 8 of them games.

[gmercer1]

Has Mangala played 2 games on the bounce at all this season?
Feel sorry for the lad, a lot of pressure on his shoulders with the price tag etc, then he gets thrown in every now and again. Not had chance to get in to any rhythm at all.
As mentioned give him a good pre season and start him next year then we can start judging.

[Sister of fu]

Has Mangala played 2 games on the bounce at all this season?
Feel sorry for the lad, a lot of pressure on his shoulders with the price tag etc, then he gets thrown in every now and again. Not had chance to get in to any rhythm at all.
As mentioned give him a good pre season and start him next year then we can start judging.

If I was the boss the lad would play every game from now. He has been made a scapegoat by many and has been ridiculed by the press much in the same way Martin D was. Its not his fault we paid that money for him and its not his fault that he has come into a squad that is in some form of crisis. We as fans should really get behind him and try to help him along. He is certainly not the first player to arrive in the premier league to struggle and will not be the last. We saw against Chelsea that he can play so its in there, its just a case of getting that on a consistent level with a steady partner alongside him.

[Wonderwall]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Glen Johnson.....really. Not a chance. Would rather see one of the kids come in. There is a reason Liverpool are getting ready to off load.

not read the article, but if I read that right, I wont bother. Anyone who suggests Johnson needs to get glasses or see a doctor.

[Sister of fu]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Glen Johnson.....really. Not a chance. Would rather see one of the kids come in. There is a reason Liverpool are getting ready to off load.

not read the article, but if I read that right, I wont bother. Anyone who suggests Johnson needs to get glasses or see a doctor.

We apparently should get rid of our one free transfer and replace him with this one. No thanks. I think this season has proved we need to stop doing things on the cheap and getting 2nd ratter's in to fill out the squad.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Glen Johnson.....really. Not a chance. Would rather see one of the kids come in. There is a reason Liverpool are getting ready to off load.

not read the article, but if I read that right, I wont bother. Anyone who suggests Johnson needs to get glasses or see a doctor.

Would apparently should get rid of our one free transfer and replace him with this one. No thanks. I think this season has proved we need to stop doing things on the cheap and getting 2nd ratter's in to fill out the squad.

Sis is spot on

[Dubciteh]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

Glen Johnson.....really. Not a chance. Would rather see one of the kids come in. There is a reason Liverpool are getting ready to off load.

not read the article, but if I read that right, I wont bother. Anyone who suggests Johnson needs to get glasses or see a doctor.

Would apparently should get rid of our one free transfer and replace him with this one. No thanks. I think this season has proved we need to stop doing things on the cheap and getting 2nd ratter's in to fill out the squad.

Sis is spot on

Agreed, i just think promoting Denayer and Angelino and selling kolorov and the defence is fine. Sagna not going anywhere due to contract and he is handy to fill in, doesnt become a bad player overnight. Mangala has it, he has shown it, its just consistency he needs, he will be a big player for us in future.

[RodneyRodney]

United paid a hell of a lot for Pallister, and he certainly had some dodgy games in his first season. Let in 5 on one occasion . ...

[South Stand Balti]

I know he is only 24 (only) and I know he has not been here long etc. I get that but anyone who has seen him play for Porto will tell you he was dodgy there. Cannot for the life of me understand why we bought a defender for over £40m ( inc all associated costs) from the Portugese league. It's a myth that he is quick and he is not strong enough.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I know he is only 24 (only) and I know he has not been here long etc. I get that but anyone who has seen him play for Porto will tell you he was dodgy there. Cannot for the life of me understand why we bought a defender for over £40m ( inc all associated costs) from the Portugese league. It's a myth that he is quick and he is not strong enough.

It isn't a myth at all. I didn't watch him in the Portuguese league but did watch him in Europa League, from what I saw of him there he showed he has all the right physical attributes but I will say he was a bit rash at times, reminded me a lot of a young Kompany.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Here's an example of his pace SSB

http://twitpic.com/ebxvx0

And he showed his physical strength too by out muscling Costa right throughout that same game.

[Dameerto]

I know he is only 24 (only) and I know he has not been here long etc. I get that but anyone who has seen him play for Porto will tell you he was dodgy there. Cannot for the life of me understand why we bought a defender for over £40m ( inc all associated costs) from the Portugese league. It's a myth that he is quick and he is not strong enough.

Challenge him to an arm wrestle if you don't think he's strong enough - even the guy's muscles have muscles.

[South Stand Balti]

I know he is only 24 (only) and I know he has not been here long etc. I get that but anyone who has seen him play for Porto will tell you he was dodgy there. Cannot for the life of me understand why we bought a defender for over £40m ( inc all associated costs) from the Portugese league. It's a myth that he is quick and he is not strong enough.

Challenge him to an arm wrestle if you don't think he's strong enough - even the guy's muscles have muscles.

He was out muscled at home to Burnley. Brushed aside. His positional sense is poor too. I want him to do well but he is not good enough.

[Spurge]

http://www.fansunite.com.au/2015/04/15/9192/the-big-clear-out-part-i-defence

Written a story folks about our defence, who we need to keep and get rid of and who we can target in those positions, would mean alot to know what you guys think!

I didn't really enjoy it to be honest, easy to be critical but no real depth to it. Mangala an obvious target, no surprise you started with him, but whilst you note his impressive debut, you then go on to rip him apart without attempting to explore reasons why he might have struggled e.g no run of consecutive games, not having sufficient opportunities to forge a relationship in a centre back partnership, possible first season syndrome - it happens to the best of them.

I'm not saying he is going to be a success at City, or attempting to deny that he has had a poor season with mistakes, I'm just saying that perhaps you should have explored in a bit more detail why he has been the shambolic performer you describe. Not sure he should be the scapegoat you suggest for VK's underperforming.

I started this thread based on the first and only time I'd seen him play - he had a poor game and I said as much, but also balanced that by acknowledging it was the first time I'd seen him,that he wasn't alone in being poor on the night and highlighting that our scouts will have seen him more than I.

You saw his quality against Chelsea on his debut so why has he then become shambolic, was the Chelsea game a fluke?

He played the rags onside for Smallings goal in the derby by dropping 5 yards behind the rest of the defence -unacceptable at this level really, was it just his mistake or a lack of talking by whoever calls the line (in VK's absence) - possibly, one thing for certain is that without communication mistakes are more likely to happen. It may or may not have been something to do with what happened, but recent performances by the team suggest a lack of togetherness making communication issues a possibility for the level of mistakes occurring all over the pitch.