The Mang

[bigblue]

Unless my recollection has been lost in this thread I thought he used to get some right shit game after game yet I'm now reading that he could be a real asset?

Was quite an athlete, but many people are also forgetting that he had a touch and passing ability that made Dzeko look like Silva.

[Mase]

Don't think anyone is saying the big man is suddenly a world beater (although compared to what's left who knows?), but rather he had/has the raw ingredients to become a decent defender (keeping Costa and Ibra in his pocket prime examples) and that he's no worse than what's left.

[aaron bond]

Don't think anyone is saying the big man is suddenly a world beater (although compared to what's left who knows?), but rather he had/has the raw ingredients to become a decent defender (keeping Costa and Ibra in his pocket prime examples) and that he's no worse than what's left.

That's my view also.

He definitely has his faults and needed an experienced defender (like a fit Kompany) next to him. But he had put in some excellent performances in some matches, particularly against big centre forwards.

Considering that we're left with 3 useless players in Otamendi, Stones and Kolarov, it seems unfair that Mangala was the one let go.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Don't think anyone is saying the big man is suddenly a world beater (although compared to what's left who knows?), but rather he had/has the raw ingredients to become a decent defender (keeping Costa and Ibra in his pocket prime examples) and that he's no worse than what's left.

That's my view also.

He definitely has his faults and needed an experienced defender (like a fit Kompany) next to him. But he had put in some excellent performances in some matches, particularly against big centre forwards.

Considering that we're left with 3 useless players in Otamendi, Stones and Kolarov, it seems unfair that Mangala was the one let go.

This.

[john@staustell]

Ah how the memory fades. Decent marker but useless with the ball and therefore never, ever going to fit in our "philosophy".

Poor signing if we're honest

[PeterParker]

Genuine question, but there is out there a world class defender outside de EPL and who can be bought in?

I think the defenders today are much less good that 10-15 years ago. I am looking at the italians who had Nesta, Costacurta, Cannavaro etc and then I look at their next ”star” Romagnoli and laugh.

So clubs will try to overrate everything they had. Same with the Mangler. We paid too much for him, I agree, but the critics he receive were far exagerated.

[South Stand Balti]

Don't think anyone is saying the big man is suddenly a world beater (although compared to what's left who knows?), but rather he had/has the raw ingredients to become a decent defender (keeping Costa and Ibra in his pocket prime examples) and that he's no worse than what's left.

That's my view also.

He definitely has his faults and needed an experienced defender (like a fit Kompany) next to him. But he had put in some excellent performances in some matches, particularly against big centre forwards.

Considering that we're left with 3 useless players in Otamendi, Stones and Kolarov, it seems unfair that Mangala was the one let go.

He'll be back soon. I have seen Mangala twice in the last few weeks and he's been worse than he was with us. It's a shame as he seems a decent bloke and give 100% but he just isn't good enough. I agree the others haven't been any better and all have s game changing error in them.

[Beefymcfc]

Unless my recollection has been lost in this thread I thought he used to get some right shit game after game yet I'm now reading that he could be a real asset?

The problem with Mangala was that he was young, similar to Stones, who needed a proven player next to him. Vinnie was that player but had problems when Mangala was coming through.

Young players need an experienced head next to them, teaching them when to push, when to drop; when to tackle, when to jockey. Our young players haven't had that sort of mentor for many years, and regardless of talent, the PL will rip you a new one if you don't get it right.

Agree with all of that Beefy, in regards Stones needing that mentor would you persevere with Vinnie this summer or would you target an experienced defender, Godin was mooted on here for example? He sure as shit isn't going to get any mentoring from the Otter.

If Vinnie isnt injured yes, we'd be daft not to. You don't just lose that kind of leadership because you're out for a while and the only thing that can stop him is if those injuries reoccur.

I even think that Vinnie suits Otta's play, being able to cover while Otamendi goes sliding in. Risk and reward, safety net if it all goes Pete Tong.

If there's still issues with injuries though, well that's where we need to go into the market.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Surprised nobody has put up the video of his weekend howler yet.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Surprised nobody has put up the video of his weekend howler yet.

Go back a page

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Unless my recollection has been lost in this thread I thought he used to get some right shit game after game yet I'm now reading that he could be a real asset?

The problem with Mangala was that he was young, similar to Stones, who needed a proven player next to him. Vinnie was that player but had problems when Mangala was coming through.

Young players need an experienced head next to them, teaching them when to push, when to drop; when to tackle, when to jockey. Our young players haven't had that sort of mentor for many years, and regardless of talent, the PL will rip you a new one if you don't get it right.

Agree with all of that Beefy, in regards Stones needing that mentor would you persevere with Vinnie this summer or would you target an experienced defender, Godin was mooted on here for example? He sure as shit isn't going to get any mentoring from the Otter.

If Vinnie isnt injured yes, we'd be daft not to. You don't just lose that kind of leadership because you're out for a while and the only thing that can stop him is if those injuries reoccur.

I even think that Vinnie suits Otta's play, being able to cover while Otamendi goes sliding in. Risk and reward, safety net if it all goes Pete Tong.

If there's still issues with injuries though, well that's where we need to go into the market.

It's them injuries reoccurring is what I'm worried about, do we go into another season gambling on his fitness or do we go into the market for an experienced defender?

[Beefymcfc]

Unless my recollection has been lost in this thread I thought he used to get some right shit game after game yet I'm now reading that he could be a real asset?

The problem with Mangala was that he was young, similar to Stones, who needed a proven player next to him. Vinnie was that player but had problems when Mangala was coming through.

Young players need an experienced head next to them, teaching them when to push, when to drop; when to tackle, when to jockey. Our young players haven't had that sort of mentor for many years, and regardless of talent, the PL will rip you a new one if you don't get it right.

Agree with all of that Beefy, in regards Stones needing that mentor would you persevere with Vinnie this summer or would you target an experienced defender, Godin was mooted on here for example? He sure as shit isn't going to get any mentoring from the Otter.

If Vinnie isnt injured yes, we'd be daft not to. You don't just lose that kind of leadership because you're out for a while and the only thing that can stop him is if those injuries reoccur.

I even think that Vinnie suits Otta's play, being able to cover while Otamendi goes sliding in. Risk and reward, safety net if it all goes Pete Tong.

If there's still issues with injuries though, well that's where we need to go into the market.

It's them injuries reoccurring is what I'm worried about, do we go into another season gambling on his fitness or do we go into the market for an experienced defender?

It's the million dollar question mate but I think Pep will look at it in a more pragmatic way rather than us who have a little emotional value with Vinnie. Either way, I do think we need somebody else in but don't want to see our youngsters, such as Tosin, overlooked.