I think it's based on European results in the last 4 seasons, the likes of Monaco wouldn't have enough points to be in there. I actuallt think they should factor in you position in the league which you qualified for the CL from as well.
I think it's based on European results in the last 4 seasons, the likes of Monaco wouldn't have enough points to be in there. I actuallt think they should factor in you position in the league which you qualified for the CL from as well.
He's not had a standout season, he's been ok but I don't think he's anything special as a defender, he just hasn't stood out. I never said Koscielny was a leader all I said was that he's always the defender that stands out for us, the one people see as our best defender and the one who has been linked to big clubs, not Mertesacker, incidentally he's not perfect either, he is still prone to stupid costly errors.Originally Posted by Delusions of Grandeur
So now that I have a clip of the FA Cup final, you remember the one good performance.This is the type of debate where I'd have to scour through every single game with highlights over a season and you'd still come back and say every player has one stand out season.
Kos has more physical attributes over Merts but lacks the leadership and lacks the intelligence. You only have to look at the sending off that had him banned for the final of that example.
Merts WAS a good defender. He hung up his boots for Germany cos he was coming to the end of his career at top level - this should set the alarm bells ringing for any manager interested in competing but not ours. Yes he played well in the cup final, so did all the boys but everyone on here prior to that must have shit themselves at the thought of him playing in that final. That's because of what he's normally capable of. Possibly the only defender in the world that makes Giroud look quick & cannot jump to save his life. He loses headers against guys 6" smaller than him & his legs have simply gone.
When we are debating whether or not a dinosaur like him that no other supposed big club in the world would want is good enough for us - makes you realise what's happened to us under Wumger.
Merts has been solid. Not the most eyecatching player. He is tall and slow which makes his mistakes more obvious. But excluding the legends like Adams, Campbell and Co, where would you rank him? I'd say he is a lot better than Toure, Gallas, Verm and the rest. He certainly makes Kos look a better player too. In the same way Kolo was badly exposed when Campbell left, Merts does well to cover for Kos and helps to keep the shape at the back. When Kos goes in aggressive to win the ball, Merts doesn't panic and takes up the right position in most cases. It's something the other defenders don't do often and need to learn. Too similar in style.
Hard to tell where I would rank him to be honest, for me I'd be more interested in players in us having our former greats involved, Mertersacker for me is a player who's been decent but nothing more, I wouldn't particularly want to rank him as he's not a player I'll really remember with any real affection once he leaves because he's not been involved in anything special and hasn't stood out.
Yes he may be better than Gallas, Verm etc (not much in it for me though) but they were to be honest a load of rubbish defensively, Koscielny is more talented and if I had to pick a player to keep it would be him over Mertersacker as he's capable of superior performances.
I just don't see what Mertesacker brings to the table, not a leader, not a great defender, not great positionally, he has no standout talents, he's just a decent defender who's level is some middle of the table team in Germany, not good enough for the likes of Bayern/Dortmund etc.
Excellent post, every word pure on point. Merts was average when he got here and remained so throughout. Like you said he stands head and shoulders over almost every other player on the pitch but never wins headers or scores headed goals. Like you said he doesnt jump...will not jump. instead he just leans and gets beaten by players under 6feet tall. Only at Arsenal under Wenger are average players lionised. No one in the world would offer even 2m for Mets today. He was never a great defender and worst still he is not a warrior. A defender needs to be a bastard like Keown and Terry were. Ready to spill guts to outmuscle the opposition. Merts was just another powder puff player doing his best but still looking bang average...Lest not forget Wengers track record with defenders. Djourou, Senderos etc. Ray Parlour even managed to kid him into buying that walking disaster Stepanovs while he was only trying to wind up Keown.
Last edited by Globalgunner; 12-07-2017 at 01:56 AM.
Make 2mrw better than 2day
You guys talk shit. No facts.
Merts wins over 70% of his header duels and compare that with some other defenders. Look through the season and it's Kos that's closer to 50/50 when it comes to header duels.He loses headers against guys 6" smaller than him & his legs have simply gone.
http://www.squawka.com/comparison-ma...ls_won_%#total
They are comparing him to defenders much smaller than him. That tall & he still loses 30% of headers to smaller opppnents.
You're talking about a player that no other premier league team would want & we're talking shit!
See if your comparisons show you how many times we get raped at the back by a team with pace when he is playing.
So you expect him to win 100% of all his header duels? Is that where we're going? By that logic Sanchez should never win a header against an opponent despie being one of the shortest players on the pitch.
Getting raped against teams with pace...OK...last game against Chelsea in the final. Are they a slow team with Costa up front? The last time he faced Augero we won 2-1. When we beat Utd 3-0 Martial was up front with Depay on the wing. Plenty of pace there. Not saying he hasn't had trouble against pacey defenders but who hasn't? Toure, Verm and Gallas had loads of pace but we're still getting raped.
Cech.
Although at this club that will probably result in being dropped and alienated.
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