Concrete Ron

[usav]

My mistake. Well actually not mine, I heard it mentioned during the game on Saturday. Left or right footed, he still doesn't win enough headers for me.

I heard that as well as they said we were playing with three left footers in the back four.

[Brend'Watkins]

Left or right footed, he still doesn't win enough headers for me.

Nor me.  It must be because he is carrying some knock which impedes his ability to jump.  You can't be a Dutch international and not be able to jump.  I hope it's only a temporary thing.

[adrenachrome]

By James Nursey | 07/03/13 

Ron Vlaar generated a few laughs when he arrived at Villa last summer and revealed his nickname was 'Concrete'.

The amiable, intelligent Dutchman, 28, is certainly a big, powerful unit at 6ft 2in.

So it is obvious where the nickname has originated from and I certainly wasn't about to argue with him!

Some of Villa's best displays since like against Swansea, Man City in the League Cup and at home to Arsenal have included the £3.2million signing from Feyenoord, who looks decent when he is on his game.

But after missing two more games with injury, I think it is fair to ask is Concrete Ron really that hard?!

I was speaking to a Villa source this week about the team's prospects.

They believed Paul Lambert's side can beat the drop but were worried about a couple of factors.

One was captain Vlaar missing so many games with injury.

He has only started 17 out of 28 League games for Villa.

I thought he was outstanding in his previous appearance against West Ham when he helped Villa to a vital victory.

Boss Paul Lambert is now hopeful the Dutchman will recover from a calf injury to play against Reading this weekend.

But to miss both the Arsenal and Man City games with injury - leaving Villa with an even younger, inexperienced defence - is most unfortunate.

Lambert made no mention of Vlaar's injury in the build up to Arsenal and was seemingly giving his captain until the last minute to declare himself fit.

But it appears Vlaar is the kind of pro who only takes to the field when he feels 100 per cent.

Now that is not unusual of course and is well within a player's rights.

But many pros are also willing to play with knocks even when they are only 80 per cent fit or worse - especially when their team badly needs them.

For every inspirational leader willing to play through the pain like Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, Paul Ince or Roy Keane, equally there are many players who simply feel incapable of playing when struggling.

I suspect it probably applies more to some of the foreign players who only make themselves available for selection when totally 100 per cent.

Perhaps Vlaar, who had several injuries and set-backs at Feyenoord, falls into this category?

Perhaps he doesn't.

'Concrete Ron' deserves the benefit of the doubt as the only person really able to determine his fitness definitively is Vlaar himself.

But it is clearly a fact the Villa defence is a lot better when Vlaar is in it and he needs to return quickly and stay in the side if the club are to beat the drop.

The other concern I heard recently was about the lack of natural holding players at Villa.

Villa's latest formation relies on two midfielders sitting infront of the back four to protect them by tackling and closing down opponents.

But is it a role naturally suited to the likes of Fabian Delph, Ashley Westwood and Karim El Ahmadi?

They can all perform the role of course but are all I believe instinctively more attacking and creative than that.

Delph is must be said has actually had a decent personal season but his 10th booking has earned him a two-game suspension.

 

Perhaps it will now mean a first start for January signing Yacouba Sylla who appears better suited to the defensive midfielder role.

But if that is the case then why haven't we seen him already in the starting line-up?

Villa's campaign is continuing to throw up all sorts of questions.

But ultimately the only question that really is matters is will the club stay up?

Losing by a single goal to Arsenal and the champions Man City is no disgrace and people at Villa insist they are playing well.

But Villa cannot afford any defeats in their next two games against Reading and QPR.

Xenophobic drivel

That article is hilarious.

Perhaps Concrete is a fanny dangling johnny  foreigener, perhaps he isn't. Perhaps Cilla might be as well. Perhaps not. Perhaps I get paid by the word, perhaps I don't.

It reminds me of the Irish Royal correspondent character played by Alexander Armstrong.

Perhaps Nursey should go and and take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut.

[Simon Ward]

Vlaar misses too many headers to be classed as a decent centre half imo!

[Clampy]

I can't make my mind up about Vlaar. He's been ok overall but that's about it. I'm not sure he's twice the player Cuellar was like Chris suggested though. Maybe next season we'll see a more solid Ron.

[eastie]

I can't make my mind up about Vlaar. He's been ok overall but that's about it. I'm not sure he's twice the player Cuellar was like Chris suggested though. Maybe next season we'll see a more solid Ron.

Agree with that , he's been ok but as a Dutch international i expected more , certainly better than some recent defenders we've had but  nothing special. The next 9 games will tell us a lot about him as his leadership skills will be vital.

[Mister E]

Interestingly, the BBC's so-called expert, Garth Beachball, has put Polysterene Ron in his Team of the Week for his calming infuence on Saturday.

There's no question he can be valuable to us if (i) he can stay fit, (ii) we get another dominant CB alongside him, and (iii) the FBs defend better.

[pauliewalnuts]

Interestingly, the BBC's so-called expert, Garth Beachball, has put Polysterene Ron in his Team of the Week for his calming infuence on Saturday.

*points at two pages back*

*winks*

[Mister E]

Interestingly, the BBC's so-called expert, Garth Beachball, has put Polysterene Ron in his Team of the Week for his calming infuence on Saturday.

*points at two pages back*

*winks*

You don't think I read all this shit , do you?!


**Sorry**

**winky thing""

[itbrvilla]

Vlaar misses too many headers to be classed as a decent centre half imo!

He's been ok at best in my opinion. Pretty average with some costly blunders thrown in.

[N'Zimidy]

On the deck he's been very good. He can play his way out of trouble and it's very rare that a defender will dribble through or past him.

What lets him down is his aerial ability. He's not awful but he's left enough through this season to cost us. It's probably because the difference between the Dutch and English Leagues is very much that target man aerial threat that many Dutch clubs don't possess. I think we'll see a much tougher Concrete Ron next season, especially once he has the summer off to recuperate after his injuries.

[Rancid custard]

The most noticeable thing for me is that aside from the occasional hoof, he keeps it on the ground and rarely goes sideways with his passing.

[kipeye]

Centre halves rely on forming a partnership as part of a back four. Judge Ron's worth when we have a settled defence (and perhaps a better one) around him. To some extent , this goes for Clark and Baker as well.

[atticus snood]

Every player in our squad apart from Dunne and Ireland deserves another go in a better Villa side next season.

[SoccerHQ]

Let's remember he's come from Holland to play in a different league. Is the Dutch league as direct as in England? I don't think he's as bad as some people are saying but look at KEA who has struggled to adjust to the pace of the game. If he had an experienced Premier League defender next to him I'm sure he would have played much better, but having to babysit three novices whilst finding his feet in the league is proving difficult for him.

This is my take on things aswell. I don't mind Ron, he's not in Mellberg or Laursen's class obviously but for the money I think he's a decent enough defender.

Was playing well just before his first injury in November so I think next season we'll see the best of him....if he's still here.