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Player Watch: Davinson Sanchez

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
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I thought Sanchez had a very good debut, looked a beast (thou shall not pass) defensively and won pretty much every header and tackle he contested. He also showed he is lightning quick. Don't understand the negativity from some in this thread.
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
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Didn't mean the Gardener comparison as a bad thing I was saying he reminds me of Gardener when he was on his good days (which when he was was could be brilliant) at a his basic level.

And to be honest if it wasn't for injuries Gardener was a very good player at times with his odd crazy moments.

Think you've misunderstood my points I am not saying he's not got huge potential but what I'm simply saying he's still a bit raw and we are being really over guilty of hyping up after today's game where it was not much of a contest for any of our players on the pitch.

What I am trying to say is he was ok. But not sensational like people are trying to make out he was.

Certainly was not over doing it with him. I took you on with your views as they were as overboard as those you claim are being about him. It was his first game, andvto most he was convincing, and impressive.
 

Basil Brush

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
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First start in the premier league and he looked like he belonged immediately.

I am so excited about him.
 

Vwbottom

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2012
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Looked solid enough, was expecting him on the right of the 3 tbh though lol, dealt with everything today although Everton were playing long ball most of the game.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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Bit early to call him the new Ledley, Ledley with one good leg was the best centre back of his generation, but it was an impressive debut. Yes, Everton offered less than you'd expect, but perhaps that is in part to how well we snuffed them out as soon as they inched near our area. The guy is very strong and quick too, which against the Lukakus of this world will be invaluable. Rooney doesn't seem to have got any change out of him, nor Sandro Ramirez. I think that his rawness is evident though and he won't have it so easy against more unpredictable, nimble forwards like "insert Manchester City attacker here".

All in all the balance was very good, the most cerebral styles of Jan and Toby to read balls down the channels while the physicality of Dave in the middle imposing himself on anything in the air and mopping up with his pace. On the ball it also releases Toby to pick passes down his channel or cross field in a way that he just can't do when he's dead centre. There is only upside with this signing.

I liked Wimmer, but watching this guy yesterday and the athleticism he injected into our defence makes me understand what we were missing when we played a 3 man defence. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Dier when Wanyama and Dave are both fully fit and flying on all cylinders, his insistence on being a midfielder is undoubtedly part of what pushed us to bring in this guy and he may find his starting spot very much in doubt as a result.
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
26,626
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Gardner was a more natural defender than Ledley though Ledley was a better footballer and his training and commitment made him a monster.

Gardner on his day was amazing. Sanchez seems more physical and harder though.
You're on a wind up surely?
 

piedpiper

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2008
3,758
6,763
Bit early to call him the new Ledley, Ledley with one good leg was the best centre back of his generation, but it was an impressive debut. Yes, Everton offered less than you'd expect, but perhaps that is in part to how well we snuffed them out as soon as they inched near our area. The guy is very strong and quick too, which against the Lukakus of this world will be invaluable. Rooney doesn't seem to have got any change out of him, nor Sandro Ramirez. I think that his rawness is evident though and he won't have it so easy against more unpredictable, nimble forwards like "insert Manchester City attacker here".

All in all the balance was very good, the most cerebral styles of Jan and Toby to read balls down the channels while the physicality of Dave in the middle imposing himself on anything in the air and mopping up with his pace. On the ball it also releases Toby to pick passes down his channel or cross field in a way that he just can't do when he's dead centre. There is only upside with this signing.

I liked Wimmer, but watching this guy yesterday and the athleticism he injected into our defence makes me understand what we were missing when we played a 3 man defence. It will be interesting to see what becomes of Dier when Wanyama and Dave are both fully fit and flying on all cylinders, his insistence on being a midfielder is undoubtedly part of what pushed us to bring in this guy and he may find his starting spot very much in doubt as a result.

I liked what Dier offered in midfiel, i know that Wanyama has his fan base on here... But for me Dier offered more going forward. I think we have 2 DM for cCL and the PL in Dier and Wanyama. Plenty games for both in the coming months.

It doesnt have to be one or the other.... Dier also offers as cover in defense as we can't play that back 3 in all our games throughout the season.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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I liked what Dier offered in midfiel, i know that Wanyama has his fan base on here... But for me Dier offered more going forward. I think we have 2 DM for cCL and the PL in Dier and Wanyama. Plenty games for both in the coming months.

It doesnt have to be one or the other.... Dier also offers as cover in defense as we can't play that back 3 in all our games throughout the season.

I agree to an extent, and Dier did well yesterday. I actually prefer Dier in the 4231 where his dripping my into the defence is part of why our fullbacks can bomb on so well, but in a 3 centre back system we don't need that so I'd prefer Wanyama the hunter gather in that line up.
 

muppetman

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
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Interesting that Poch threw him in immediately, fairly unusual for Poch, particularly in such a high risk area - must have plenty of faith in the lad.
 

jimbo

Cabbages
Dec 22, 2003
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Bit early to call him the new Ledley, Ledley with one good leg was the best centre back of his generation...


He was, but people forget the massive improvement in Ledley as a defender that came after playing alongside Naybet. Ledley at 21 was playing in midfield. Ledley was immense for us, and Sanchez might be, but if he is then it will be in his own right.

I just picked this bit out because I wanted to make a general point re: the King/Gardner comparisons. I'm never convinced about talk of players being the new this, or the new that.

What was it that Helder Postiga said about people comparing him to Klinsmann when he took the no.18 shirt? "Klinsmann is Klinsmann, Postiga is Postiga." Never a truer word spoken.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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He has all the attributes to be one of the very best. Had an easy debut but for a player who has been with us for a couple of days you couldn't ask for anything more. He'll adapt to our style very quickly IMO and become a fantastic player.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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He was, but people forget the massive improvement in Ledley as a defender that came after playing alongside Naybet. Ledley at 21 was playing in midfield. Ledley was immense for us, and Sanchez might be, but if he is then it will be in his own right.

I just picked this bit out because I wanted to make a general point re: the King/Gardner comparisons. I'm never convinced about talk of players being the new this, or the new that.

What was it that Helder Postiga said about people comparing him to Klinsmann when he took the no.18 shirt? "Klinsmann is Klinsmann, Postiga is Postiga." Never a truer word spoken.

I don't think that there's anything wrong about drawing comparisons with past greats per se, the day romanticism is eradicated from football completely is the day I stop watching. I do agree with you though that we should judge Sanchez in his own right, not against anyone else. At the same time though, if in the season he has played 25 - 40 matches for us and has consistently displayed Ledley like ability then I don't see the harm in proclaiming him the second coming as at the end of the day it's just a way of complimenting him.

Also, while Gardner did have potential, anybody who says he was at any point looking more likely than King to become top class is rewriting history. King looked magnificent from the moment he made his debut.
 

daryl hannah

Berry Berry Calm
Sep 1, 2014
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He did well on his debut and wasn't tested like he would be against the likes of city, chelsea or united. I'm expecting it to take 10-15 games for him to feel comfortable in the back 3.

He did very well and has a lot to learn. the two things go hand in hand imho.
 

Hotspur88

Well-Known Member
Aug 1, 2008
3,146
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I'm amazed at a couple of the posts in this thread. I was there yesterday and watched him very closely. He is such a presence, just fills you with confidence when you see him next to Jan & Toby. He had a brilliant game considering the short time he has been with us. He will only get better. I'm very excited!
 

Clark28

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2016
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It's very reassuring having his pace at CB, whenever he was chasing down the ball I knew he'd get it.

I originally thought he'd be the RCB to cover for Trippier's lack of pace, but now with Serge coming in, playing Sanchez in the middle of the 3 means he can use his pace to cover both sides.
 

jimbo

Cabbages
Dec 22, 2003
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I don't think that there's anything wrong about drawing comparisons with past greats per se, the day romanticism is eradicated from football completely is the day I stop watching. I do agree with you though that we should judge Sanchez in his own right, not against anyone else. At the same time though, if in the season he has played 25 - 40 matches for us and has consistently displayed Ledley like ability then I don't see the harm in proclaiming him the second coming as at the end of the day it's just a way of complimenting him.

Also, while Gardner did have potential, anybody who says he was at any point looking more likely than King to become top class is rewriting history. King looked magnificent from the moment he made his debut.

Perhaps, though I wouldn't equate the description of a player as being like another player to being romantic. If anything it suggests a lack of imagination in the description. But I'm probably just scarred after hearing Toda declared as "our Viera", Charlie Daniels as "the left-footed Beckham" and Marian Pahars as "the Latvian Michael Owen". To me it's doing the player a disservice, just as talking about Sol Campbell in Ledley's song always bugged me a bit. I'd rather celebrate the player for who is, avoid lazy comparisons and not recycle the same old chants endlessly, but I suspect I'm in a minority - I can live with that.

I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth, but I think what @agrdavidsfan meant was that Gardner was naturally a centre-back, would never be anything else, whereas Ledley had to develop. I don't think anyone is, was or would say that Gardner had more potential or was a better player. I could say Gardner is a more natural defender than Victor Moses, that would be true because Moses is a converted winger with fewer defensive responsibilities. That's not the same as saying he's a better player or a more talented prospect. But that's somebody else's argument, not mine.
 

theShiznit

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2004
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Playing him in the middle of the three is smart by Poch it gives him those calm experienced heads either side and it also teaches him how to play with Toby on his right and Jan on his left, fast tracking him to be able to play with either in a back four if needed.
Obviously it will be different but there are merits to knowing where they go and what they expect of you.

He had a few unsure moments but what faith in him to throw him straight in away at Everton.

While Ledley was a rolls Royce on the pitch, seemingly gliding around the playing surface, this guy seems a bit more raw and naturally aggressive, this may lead to free kicks given from a desire to win every ball but it's up to Poch to teach him he cannot win every ball.

A good first impression though. with sterner tests (right) around the corner (which is probably why he has given his first start so early)
 
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