10 Jan 2018 13:21:45
so eds and fellow posters the question I was thinking of was who to pair with VVD think Gomez should stay RB he s doing great and learning over there but in the middle think on ability wise on their best day its Lovren who should on the left with VVD on the right side but idk or Klavan on the left, what do you guys say?

1.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 13:28:05
Van Dijk left and Lovren right. Lovren is a much better player when he has a vocal CB partner beside him.

2.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 13:44:29
Matip. Although he hasn't been in form lately, I think he has potential (with the right partner) to be a top centre half. His composure on the ball, aerial ability, and his passing out from the back bring calmness to those around him, but he needs to improve on his decision making at times and has to be more alert, knowing when to sweep and cover his partner.

I would however like to see a back 3 of Gomez, Matip and Virgil.

3.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 14:02:00
On current form it should be Van Dijk and Klavan, Klavan has really stepped up when needed this season.

4.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 14:04:28
Matip is far too lazy to play centre back. Not to mention injury prone and is often scared to put in a challenge for fear of getting hurt. He is unaware of threats around him, too focused on the ball that he let's a player slip by him for simple, avoidable goals.

For me, Matip is the weak link of our defense when he plays, no matter the combination. The man does not want to get involved or bully players, he is too lightweight and unsure of himself.

5.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 14:06:29
I agree a back 3 could work well at times with Trent and Moreno as wing-backs.

6.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 14:08:20
ideally Klavan for me but both VVD and Klavan are left sided and VVD has been awful when on the right side. Out of Lovren and Matip on the right it has to be Lovren. Occasionally mistakes do take attention away from his usual level of defending, which is better than Matips. Plus VVD has the pace to cover his mistakes should they happen whilst Matip barley breaks a sweat getting back.

7.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 14:34:00
I think it sends the complete wrong message to drop Klavan until he deserves dropping. Since the spurs game he's been our most consistent performer, thriving with the greater protection our midfield is attempting to offer and the better communication between full backs and to sit him again tells every player not currently in the First XI regularly that no matter what you do, you will be played or dropped on your name and not your ability.

8.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 15:39:45
Klavan for me - Lovren is too prone to mistakes that cost goals and Matip looks a possible talent but a bit soft to me and doesn’t tackle back or track runners consistently enough IMO. He just doesn’t seem to have the fire in his belly to take on the biggest and the best.

Klavan leaves it all on the pitch and doesn’t make many mistakes, so him on the left, VVD on the right IMO.

{Ed025's Note - im not sure that klavan does not make mistakes SG..

9.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 17:22:48
I would start with Lovren was so good at southamton next to Fonte next to him so let's hope VVD can do the same for him.

10.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 17:26:50
My choice would be Klavan for the same reasons as CyKlopps. I really don't rate Matip having watched him closely in the last few games - has all the tools but doesn't use them - spot the difference in acceleration going forwards as opposed to tracking back!

I do see Gomez as the LT partner for VVD, remember he's only 20 and learning the game. That makes sense if you take Ed001's comments yesterday - that in the summer the focus will be on RB and GK - as the experienced RB will allow Gomez to move centrally and allow TAA to either learn the RB position more, or move to midfield where, imo, his talents will be best utilised in the future.

11.) 10 Jan 2018
10 Jan 2018 19:43:50
Lovren for me. VVD plays on the left while Lovs is better on the right and would benefit from playing alongside VVD who is quite vocal unlike Lovs, which will allow Lovs to just play his game which we know he can.

Matip is poor (the worst CB at the club, IMO) and Klavan should be in if VVD is not fit to play. Gomez is NOT ready yet and the signs are there to prove that. He still has a long way to go, IMO to start at CB for us cos his errors need to be ironed out first before he can make that jump.