Do you reckon Vlad will make it with us?

[Kubo]

Where Fulham ended up is hardly relevant.

My point is Vlad's aerial battle rate actually isn't that terrible. Room for improvement of course and one he'll need to if he is to stay.

Not a deal breaker at this stage as he has only just finished his 1st season in the Prem.

Saying he's afraid of high balls is laughable.

Losing over 50% of your aerial duels is terrible, IMHO.

So why does he actually try to avoid high balls then, if he don't mind them?

 

[ultimateloner]

Depends what you mean by 'make it with us'.
He's good enough to play.
He won't become a star performer like Verts.

 

[The Scarecrow]

Very talented player, no doubt. Would be a huge success in a different league. But when teams like West Ham start hoofing long balls up, he's struggled, and i'm not sure he'll ever be able to cope with that.

But isn't it a good thing to have different defenders for different opposition? Chiriches and Vertonghen can be our regular pair, and when we meet the more physical teams, we give Dawson and Kaboul a go.

 

[Kubo]

But isn't it a good thing to have different defenders for different opposition? Chiriches and Vertonghen can be our regular pair, and when we meet the more physical teams, we give Dawson and Kaboul a go.

I would suggest a better plan: strive for players that can perform no matter the opposition.

Either way, with the injury record of our defenders, it's not often we can pick and choose.

 

[dontcallme]

Losing over 50% of your aerial duels is terrible, IMHO.

So why does he actually try to avoid high balls then, if he don't mind them?

If you look at the aerial stats of many more experienced defenders you'll see terrible is an exaggeration.

He doesn't avoid high balls, you made that up.

 

[The Scarecrow]

I would suggest a better plan: strive for players that can perform no matter the opposition.

Either way, with the injury record of our defenders, it's not often we can pick and choose.

Ideally, yes, but they're awfully hard to find, and you certainly can't expect to have four central defenders that versatile. I agree with your second point, though. The central defence has mostly been a given this season.

 

[Spursh]

Class act

A few hiccups along the way, but that was to be expected. Technically excellent, very composed, passes well, and despite not being very tall or powerful, he holds his own against most and tackles efficiently. His performance away at Everton against Lukaku was his most impressive performance defensively, often nicking the ball before it reached the Belgian, not allowing him time or space to do damage.

Considering this was his first season in the PL, playing in an ever-changing back four in a turbulent season, along with suffering an injury that kept him sidelined for several months, I think he has done very well and will only get better.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Yes.

He has already shown a lot of promise. Coming from the Romanian league to the prem was always going to be a huge step up but I think he coped very well in his first season.

When we get a manager who employs tactics that don't leave the defence horribly exposed I think Vlad will be amazing next season.

 

[Kubo]

If you look at the aerial stats of many more experienced defenders you'll see terrible is an exaggeration.

He doesn't avoid high balls, you made that up.

We can just compare it with Spurs's other CD's, and terrible it is indeed.

Name AD's AD's won % of AD's won Minutes between AD
Vert 68 50 74% 29m
Kaboom 43 29 67% 21m
Daws 195 126 65% 14m
Vlad 50 23 46% 28m

In fact, all of our full backs - including Danny Rose who's 1.73m long - have better aerial stats then Vlad.

 

[Jamturk]

I'm comfortable with Vlad, even to the extent that I wouldn't be overly concerned if Verts up and left.

Of course he isn't much cop in the air so playing him with Verts is really a no go.

However with someone dominant in the air next to him such as Kabs or Daws its fine.

Sometimes he gets too fancy passing out from the back and is prone to the odd interception, but as a character he is strong and robust.

So for me its a resounding YES

 

[Kubo]

Ideally, yes, but they're awfully hard to find, and you certainly can't expect to have four central defenders that versatile. I agree with your second point, though. The central defence has mostly been a given this season.

True. However, chosing between non-complete CD's I would pick someone who does the rudimentary defensive stuff - heading, tackling, blocking, getting the ball away - over Vlad's more luxury skills, seven days a week. But that's just me, it seems.

 

[eViL]

Anyone that can't see this boy is going to be class needs their brain washed out with bleach.

Despite a few gaffes, it's been a long time I've seen a CB so comfortable with the ball.

 

[Jamturk]

True. However, chosing between non-complete CD's I would pick someone who does the rudimentary defensive stuff - heading, tackling, blocking, getting the ball away - over Vlad's more luxury skills, seven days a week. But that's just me, it seems.

Its all about balance, all over the pitch you need balanced partnerships.

 

[Drexl]

Has potential, not the finished article by any means, but worth keeping

 

[Kubo]

Anyone that can't see this boy is going to be class needs their brain washed out with bleach.

Despite a few gaffes, it's been a long time I've seen a CB so comfortable with the ball.

Well, maybe some of us prioritizes other qualities in a CD then being comfortable with the ball.

 

[Japhet]

Not playing a DM repeatedly exposed our back 4. It's even more risky with a player like Vlad who wants to play. Without the urgency we needed in midfield, or players who could win tackles, Vlad did look dodgy some of the time. If we can sort the central midfield out he'll be just fine. If Masherano can get away with it at Barca, why not?

 

[Locotoro]

Depends what you mean by 'make it with us'.
He's good enough to play.
He won't become a star performer like Verts.

People said that about Kaboul at a similar age.

Once he gains more experience in the Premier League I think his development will be exponential and we will be talking about him as a necessary name in the back line.

 

[kr1978]

23/24 years old.
First season in the PL and a huge step up in quality from the Romanian league
Trying to settle in a new country at a club which let's be honest appears to have been a complete shambles this season.
No consistent run in a settled back 4

Decent coach (imagine what he could learn off FDB), years experience and a bit more stability and like most, if not all, of last summers additions and I think he will be good.

 

[danielneeds]

He's quite clearly needed to adapt from being probably the best player in Romania, where everything was easy for him, to playing in a much more competitive league, against faster, stronger, more clever opponents.

Also not helped by our general disorganisation, revolving door changes at the back. As a previous poster said very well, centre back, more than any other position on the pitch is about two players becoming more than the sum of their parts through a partnership, knowing each other's game and anticipating each other. We just didn't have that as the season progressed.

 

[TheSecretNonFootballer]

We can just compare it with Spurs's other CD's, and terrible it is indeed.

Name AD's AD's won % of AD's won Minutes between AD
Vert 68 50 74% 29m
Kaboom 43 29 67% 21m
Daws 195 126 65% 14m
Vlad 50 23 46% 28m

In fact, all of our full backs - including Danny Rose who's 1.73m long - have better aerial stats then Vlad.

Unless you can show who they played all of their games against, the stats aren't much use.