What's the point of Collins?

[willywombat]

I think he's solid and reliable and has done pretty well so far this season from what I've seen. I'd certainly have him in ahead of Clarke at the moment, although his time will come

[Deano's Mullet]

Collins is a decent centre-back. And he saved our bacon at St Andrews last season.

[ozzjim]

Collins is immense in the air much of the time, and blocks a hell of a lot that goes un noticed, sure he is not a continental style distributor like say.... Arsenal have, but then they conceded 6 a game, and we don't.

[cheltenhamlion]

Collins is a decent defender.

[nigel]

He cannot tackle, has no pace, goes down too easily, can't read the ball correctly and finds himself out of position alot. It appears he enjoys hoofing the ball way too much that's the worst out of the lot. How can he pick up so much wages every week without having any guilt that he has no football ability? Why is it he always starts in our team but can't get off the Wales bench? He always looks lost and hopeless on the pitch.

I couldn't disagree more. He's good in the tackle, has deceptive pace, is rarely beaten in the air, throws himself at everything and isn't afraid to stride forward if he has to. He isn't McGrath, but no one is. He plays well with Dunne, and he gives everything for the Villa. As much as I rate Clark for the future, I'd no way start him ahead of Collins right now.

I agree Summers.
It's unfair to compare him with McGrath & Lausen, those pair were truely world class. I think some people are watching a different person to us. I've lost count of the number of times he's won an important header or threw himself in front of a striker as he shoots.
It easy to say "He just hoofs it", he doesn't by the way, but at times it needs a good old hoof. every team does it, I've seen the likes of Man U, Chelsea and even Barcalona and Madrid defenders do it.
Ceiran Clark's time will come, he'll get his chance this season at some point. I rate him so I've no doubt he'll take his chance.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

What an odd thread.

Collins has been very good alongside Dunne.

I only wish someone would tell him he can't pass a ball 40 yards.

[eastie]

I think he's a great CB and partners Dunne effectively.

This.

[Villan For Life]

He does a job for us in a solid way. He gives everything and is tough and uncompromising.

Collins is the type of CB who needs a strong player as his defensive partner and thrives under such an arrangement. I'm not comfortable with Collins as the senior partner though and think that partnering Clark with him at the moment would harm Clark's development.

[kippaxvilla2]

The fact that our defensive inadequecies of last season have been all but eradicated would suggest that both Collins and Dunne are doing things right.

[N'ZMAV]

I'm impressed with Collins (& Dunne) so far. I have no complaints.

[Mark H]

With all due respects - we have bigger problems at the moment to solve on other areas of the pitch than Collins - he defends in the old fashioned way of blocking but needs to play as simple ball when coming away with the ball

[DerHammer]

Of course Collins is shit Compas!! and while you're at it, have a moan about Gabby & Bannan, don't forget to mention that N'Zogbia is the greatest player to don a Villa short-EVER 

[SoccerHQ]

I've been critical of him in the past but I think he's started the season really well, can't think of too much he did wrong on saturday?

In an ideal world, he'd be a good cover on the bench but in our present state he's a decent centre half to have around.

[eamonn]

He's the least-skillful half of a centre-back duo. See also Chris Nicholl, Ken McNaught, Shaun Teale. What was the point of them?

They had better foils than Dunne maybe.
I hope Clark is a first choice this time next year otherwise the ''Why did we sell Cahill?'' threads will be overtaken for most multiple topics about the same bloody thing.

[JUAN PABLO]

The defence is doing ok at the moment including Collins , the midfield is the problem ..