Totally agree, you can't have two slow CBs on top of that as that makes you very vulnerable to pace, what we need is someone quick in there to at least give us an option if we're up against some speedy forwards.
Holding came from a lower league without any kind of real pedigree, he's done OK but what makes him good enough to play for a top PL club, even England haven't given him in a place in the squad (and nobodies seem to get in there) and at 23 he's no longer a kid to be honest.
Just not convinced he's going to be top class and I agree only outstanding young players should feature in the 1st team, like you said we're not a nursery, let's not forget Wenger cherry picked this guy and what he knows about defending can be written on the back of a postage stamp so I don't hold much hope for Holding.
If you're playing a highline, organisation, pressing and not given the opposition so much space is key. Holding isn't the quickest but he recovered well and kept up the chase when forced into one on one races. A world class CB with recovery pace is ideal but we're forced to work with what we have. If teams are able to target a CB with one ball that forces our defenders to scurry back to avoid a one on one with the keeper, that means something has gone wrong with the system and we're not pressing hard enough in the middle to prevent the pass. Even with pace in the team, we'd be vulnerable because mistakes always happen when defenders are forced into one on one situations. It happened with Bellerin yesterday and we've seen it plenty of times when we've had quick players.
I don't think he was exposed last night. We've had an international break, he's playing with a new LB next him and it was a dodgy first half for most of the players. Emery has to get these slow first halves under control.
I liked the profile of player Diallo was and have recently found out Dortmund signed in the summer. Looked decent against Atletico last night but there are few quality defenders who won't cost a packet....though it sounds like France has a few relatively unknown gems and the Dutch league has a few that are quickly being hyped.
And no Sporting thread? The game is less than 6 hours!
That remains to be seen. Also, fun fact - other people can start match threads.
Maybe not with the same style and panache as Maccy, but it can be done.
Maccy will just edit in his style and panache if it’s lacking anyway.
We must respect our glorious leader.
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Maccy
Maccy.