Ron Vlaar

[danielneeds]

I don't think Vlar's a bad CB, I certainly think he's a bit better than Dawson, I just think at 29, there are younger options out there like Schar, who would also cost less and last us longer.

I'm all for signing a younger player alongside Vlaar, but I think we desperately need a reliable, experienced, tactically disciplined partner for Vertonghen this season. Preferably one with some leadership qualities who can kick Walker and Vertonghen up the backside when things aren't going their way.

 

[Supersi32]

I don't think Vlar's a bad CB, I certainly think he's a bit better than Dawson, I just think at 29, there are younger options out there like Schar, who would also cost less and last us longer.

A bit better? He`s light years ahead of Dawson. I keep reading that Vlaar lacks pace, SSN had a clip of him outpacing Edin Hazard the other day, just saying.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I'm not sure if Vlar is suitable but then again he could forge a very strong partnership with Vertonghen.
Blending the ball playing qualities of Vertonghen with the commanding presence of Vlar who can organise and lead could work a treat. Vlar certainly can lead, that's for sure.

He wouldn't of been my choice but I can see some merit in this.

Some over the top stuff being spouted though. He's not exactly rapid but he's some very good qualities as well.

Villa were a mess last season, you can't castigate Vlar for that...its a team game ffs.

The biggest issue would be his pace. I can't say I saw a lot of Villa last season, and the Dutch played quite deep so we didn't get to see him on the turn that often.

In fact both of his teams played on the break quite a lot in the last year (well at least I think that's what Villa were trying to do) so I'd be a bit concerned about how he'd fit Poch's defensive system.

He's clearly a good defender though. Probably the best centre back at the World Cup in terms of pure defending. I think people just equate playing with a crap team as being a crap player and that's just daft.

In all honesty, we messed up by not getting him when Villa did.

 

[danielneeds]

So Dawson's 13 clean sheets in the league last season don't count?

In fact, running up a Squawka matrix that includes Dawson and Kaboul as well as Vlaar and Lovren is rather instructive, particularly if you include the passing stats, blocks and interceptions.

They count for something, but I'm not sure what. The guy can't cope with anything other than basic defend the 18 yard line, if in doubt hoof it upfield football these days. Love him as a person, but if we are to have some success this season we have to move him on. It's an imperative for me, was actually one of AVB's worst mistakes, taking him back into the squad.

 

[dwaynedibley]

I'm all for signing a younger player alongside Vlaar, but I think we desperately need a reliable, experienced, tactically disciplined partner for Vertonghen this season. Preferably one with some leadership qualities who can kick Walker and Vertonghen up the backside when things aren't going their way.

Exactly how I feel, need someone to tell vertonghen to man up and stop sulking.

 

[danielneeds]

Exactly how I feel, need someone to tell vertonghen to man up and stop sulking.

In the most basic terms,we need a general to marshal the troops at the back. Dawson is supposed to be a leader, but a bit like Alastair Cook in the cricket, when your form is so bad, it's very difficult to retain the authority to order others around.

 

[SpurSince57]

They count for something, but I'm not sure what. The guy can't cope with anything other than basic defend the 18 yard line, if in doubt hoof it upfield football these days. Love him as a person, but if we are to have some success this season we have to move him on. It's an imperative for me, was actually one of AVB's worst mistakes, taking him back into the squad.

And yet you seem to regard Vlaar's clean sheet record in the WC as highly meaningful. The reality, as a quick scan through the Squawka stats will show, is that other than in tackling, Dawson is superior in every respect defensively. If he is no longer good enough, Vlaar most certainly isn't.

If it wasn't for the World Cup, it would be "Ron who?"

 

[Coyboy]

I wonder if some people who are opposed to this transfer are the sort who just want us to sign some French African centre half who is 6f 3, and runs the 100m under 11 seconds. A defence needs organisation, and is most effective when it is greater than the sum of its parts.

Been messaging SpursKing?

 

[Jamturk]

The best defences have a leader, it looks to me that at Villa Vlaar is that leader and they miss him when he doesn't play.

Defence is about being an effective unit not individuals.

I trust our scouts and I doubt if it is just being based on a good world cup performance.

 

[danielneeds]

And yet you seem to regard Vlaar's clean sheet record in the WC as highly meaningful. The reality, as a quick scan through the Squawka stats will show, is that other than in tackling, Dawson is superior in every respect defensively. If he is no longer good enough, Vlaar most certainly isn't.

If it wasn't for the World Cup, it would be "Ron who?"

I think you latched on to the clean sheet thing, the only point to that was that defensively they went out without conceeding, that was all.

Actually - the stats do not show Dawson is superior, check out the errors, and ones leading to a goal. The passing stats don't mean much to me, because of the very different styles we and Villa have, but if it means something to you, so be it.

 

[Supersi32]

And yet you seem to regard Vlaar's clean sheet record in the WC as highly meaningful. The reality, as a quick scan through the Squawka stats will show, is that other than in tackling, Dawson is superior in every respect defensively. If he is no longer good enough, Vlaar most certainly isn't.

If it wasn't for the World Cup, it would be "Ron who?"

A rather important aspect of being a good defender is knowing how and when to tackle.

 

[SpurSince57]

I think you latched on to the clean sheet thing, the only point to that was that defensively they went out without conceeding, that was all.

Actually - the stats do not show Dawson is superior, check out the errors, and ones leading to a goal. The passing stats don't mean much to me, because of the very different styles we and Villa have, but if it means something to you, so be it.

I did. Those show that Vlaar not only made fewer errors than Dawson, he also made fewer than Kaboul, Chiriches and Vertonghen. He must be better than them, too! (Of course when it comes to interceptions, blocks and aerial duels…)

You're right, of course it's irrelevant that a defender is able to pass accurately (and forwards).

 

[SpurSince57]

A rather important aspect of being a good defender is knowing how and when to tackle.

You know, when I pointed out that Dawson actually made more successful tackles than King a few seasons ago, I was asked if I thought that made him a better CB than Ledley. And of course I didn't.

 

[Supersi32]

You know, when I pointed out that Dawson actually made more successful tackles than King a few seasons ago, I was asked if I thought that made him a better CB than Ledley. And of course I didn't.

The difference there is that a good defender knows when to tackle, Dawson just lunges at everything now and its painful to watch how much he has regressed. I don`t dislike Dawson as he`s been a fantastic servant to Spurs over the years and seems like an all round good guy too, his time is up now and I personally think Vlaar is an upgrade.

 

[SpurSince57]

The difference there is that a good defender knows when to tackle, Dawson just lunges at everything now and its painful to watch how much he has regressed. I don`t dislike Dawson as he`s been a fantastic servant to Spurs over the years and seems like an all round good guy too, his time is up now and I personally think Vlaar is an upgrade.

Why? Would you even have considered him if it wasn't for the World Cup?

 

[Supersi32]

Why? Would you even have considered him if it wasn't for the World Cup?

He wouldn`t be my first choice in an ideal world, but for what we can attract and afford, then yes I think he`s an upgrade.

 

[danielneeds]

I did. Those show that Vlaar not only made fewer errors than Dawson, he also made fewer than Kaboul, Chiriches and Vertonghen. He must be better than them, too! (Of course when it comes to interceptions, blocks and aerial duels…)

You're right, of course it's irrelevant that a defender is able to pass accurately (and forwards).

Do the passing stats tell you if you have better players showing for the ball from midfield, or what the coach is telling you?

These stats engines are particularly useful for looking at players that we don't watch every week, but we've all watched Dawson for 10 years, is anyone really going to argue that he's anything but poor at passing, he treats the ball like a hand grenade most of the time.

 

[SpurSince57]

Do the passing stats tell you if you have better players showing for the ball from midfield, or what the coach is telling you?

These stats engines are particularly useful for looking at players that we don't watch every week, but we've all watched Dawson for 10 years, is anyone really going to argue that he's anything but poor at passing, he treats the ball like a hand grenade most of the time.

They show if you can get the ball from A to B successfully, and which direction you send it in.

Yes, they are. And these show that Vlaar's no upgrade on Dawson at all.

 

[danielneeds]

They show if you can get the ball from A to B successfully, and which direction you send it in.

Yes, they are. And these show that Vlaar's no upgrade on Dawson at all.

Frank Spencer would be an upgrade on Dawson these days. Have you watched any of the US games? Honestly, he's been embarrassing...

 

[wiggo24]

Vlaar for Daws, and Schar for Vlad would be fine by me.

I don't want to lose Vlad, but Verts, Kaboul, Vlaar and Schar, with Fryers/Velkjovic as back ups if disaster strikes.

Decent mix of experience, quality, and potential.