14 Sep 2016 19:19:48
Hi Ed1 hope all is well with you. I just wanted to bring up an observation regarding Lucas, Klavan and Wijnaldum.

I'd like to add the caveat that this is not an attempt to try to catch you out - just a genuine inquiry - as I can only guess at some of the abuse the Ed's receive.

Anyway in replies to posts about Wijnaldum you said you'd give him time before passing judgement on him, and yet with Klavan you said he will struggle against pace and that Lucas is better.

My point therefore is that isn't it a bit early to make that judgement about Klavan? especially since Lucas who without pace has acquitted himself well at CB.

I'm not saying you won't be proved right, but considering factors such as a new country and the speed of football here then it might just be that he needs some time to adjust to the pace of the game in England.

Admittedly I've only seen a bit of Klavan, but I thought he looked pretty decent from what I saw, and if Lucas with little pace can do well then I see no reason that Klavan can't either.

I look forward to your reply and thanks in advance.

1.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 20:25:05
Sammy hyypia has no pace.

2.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 20:26:31
Sam Hyypia had less pace than my nan, but he was a wonderful rock of our defence. If you can read the game as well as Sam. but not many can.

3.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 20:47:06
Speed of thought can be just as critical as speed in certain situations. However if you are trying to hold a high line, there is pretty much nothing a guy like Hyypia, Klavan or Mertesacker can do against a lobbed ball in behind for a guy like Vardy!

Hyypia was fortunate he played in deep defensive line. In the right system he was undoubtedly world class in my opinion.

{Ed001's Note - Klavan is not Hyypia though, and has not got the positional sense needed to make up for his pace. You could see he wanted to move out against a pacey attacker, every time he should have been dropping off. When he should have pushed up he was dropping off. It is clear he is a decent back up, but no more than that.

Oh and the reason why I say that sooner is because this is something that ties in with what scouts have told me about him. So I took a good look, the first time he played against pace it showed, sadly.}

4.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 21:26:05
I agree with you Ed, you are preaching to the converted ;) as I said, Hyypia in the right system was world class. Klavan as you say is just a good back up to have.

Matip and Lovren are clearly the first choice pair, although I'd have Sakho and Matip personally!

{Ed001's Note - agreed, but Sakho has to buck up his ideas.}

5.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 21:34:23
Also add in that a lack of pace is easily identifiable regardless of how many games, Klavan isn't going to up his pace over 10 games. Gini on the other hand could very well adapt his play and get used to the position in 10 games.

6.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 21:59:42
Klaven lack of pace was apparent to all vs Burnley, it is a matter of fast or not, hence why you can tell he is slow before 10 games without any inaccuracy, Klaven isn't going to magically get much faster in 8 games. Where as Gini being good enough needs longer to be established as it incorporates a lot more factors other than just speed, it is also based upon opinion which people need longer to form, about 10 games.

7.) 14 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 22:07:41
Lack of pace is quickly identifiable, but the point was you can't judge immediately how good Klavan is despite that ManahawkinRed which is why I cited Lucas as an example.

Plus thanks for the reply Ed1 as I'm clear now why you've judged him more quickly. And I also agree in an ideal world Matip and Sakho would be first choice too.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate. I wouldn't normally judge on just a couple of games, especially coming to a new country, so I can understand why you asked. I probably should have made it plain at the time thinking back.}

8.) 15 Sep 2016
14 Sep 2016 23:36:37
Sakho is unconventional and defends in a way that is exciting to watch and generally distributes a good forward pass.
But he is also heart attack material to coach, manage and partner at cb.

Thats why the fans love him.

Sahko and Matip for me.

9.) 15 Sep 2016
15 Sep 2016 02:20:39
Loren is just as reckless at time as Skrtel was yet Sahko is the one who gets grief for his styles of defending. He is simply the best one on one defender we have with very good pace and the best passing CB we have at the club. If he can sort himself out, he and Matip should be starting.

10.) 15 Sep 2016
15 Sep 2016 09:34:20
Sahko is finished, it's blatently obvious Klopp wants rid. Gomez will be back next month, although will take him a while to get back to full match fitness. Matip and Gomez could be the long term solution there, and a regular back five is well overdue.