Concrete Ron

[Risso]

On his day he can be a decent defender.  But those days are interrupted by lengthy injury lay offs, and he also has the ability to be a total disaster.  So on that basis, I'm oot.

[saunders_heroes]

Get rid. Yesterday was the final straw.

[warleyboy]

Does anybody really have faith in Vlaar...
He is 30 years old, should be a mentor to Okore, Baker and Clark.
What the hell are they learning from him, nothing is the answer.

We need a quality CB who can bring one of the young pups through.
I was all for it being Okore, but after watching his slow turn of pace and lack of marking yesterday I'm swaying towards Baker.

But as we were told by TS, Okore is carrying an injury, so was it just a case of that ?

[Ads]

When you consider the quality of centre half we have enjoyed over the last 25 years, Vlaar falls well short of that and typifies why we have been slummig it.

Okore has the attributes to be a real top centre half, but he needs helping out with somebody who has good communication and leadership skills to go with the defending. Vlaar has none of those and is as prone to a calamitous error as he is a 4 month injury lay off.

Not worth it. We need a Scandinavian bearded warrior.

[Jon Crofts]

I like to think we're showing him the door, rather than him leaving us.

On yesterdays showing he'd miss it and walk into a wall.

[Tony Erdington]

can we get Mcgrath, and Olof back for 30thMAY

vLAAR CAN GO

[KRS]

Quite rightly the high line was been picked out and criticised, but not mentioned by any of the pundits it was noticeable to see that Vlaar was being pulled out of position all over the place yesterday...if you watch the highlights he's being dragged over to cover left back on a few of the goals (2nd, 4th and 6th). Vlaar and Okore need to be commanding the line and working together but there was clearly no communication or leadership yesterday. Complete shambles.

[Nastylee]

If the defenders are playing a high line then that's because management have instructed them to. If it's not working then it's down to management to alter tactics. Obviously, TS and his team set up incorrectly and failed to address it when it blatantly wasn't working.

[peter w]

A high line is okay when you have two defenders defending it. Southampton only pushed one up for the long balls meaning that Vlaar or Okore should go for the header with the othersweeping behind for the second ball. The full backs then look for the runners - Long and Mane - whilst Westood, Delph, cleverley cover those running from midfield. it just didn't happen yesterday and showed our defensive frailties. But there again with an 8-0 aggregate battering from them to date I'm sure we haven't shown Arsenal anything they haven't seen from our players thus far.

[Toronto Villa]

On his day he can be a decent defender.  But those days are interrupted by lengthy injury lay offs, and he also has the ability to be a total disaster.  So on that basis, I'm oot.

Oot? How very Canadian of you

I like Vlaar but on reflection, I'm probably in the same place now. Okore and Clark are the first choice pairing now, and we need another solid mid 20's CB to keep those boys on their toes along with Baker, Senderos and Donacien.

[KevinGage]

I'd keep him, but not on an vastly inflated new contract.

Ideally, we'll bring in another centre half and move Senderos on. Vlaar as one of four CB options is fine, but he shouldn't expect to be a guaranteed first team regular after this season.

[CT Villan]

I watched him at St Mary's and he just stood still
Do one ron, please do one ron
I think it's pretty obvious that he's over the hill
Do one ron, please do one ron

Yes, he's lost his skill
He made Mane look brill
The Saints scored SIX at home
Do one ron, please do one ron

[Villa in Denmark]

Vlaar and £5 million for cleverly if I was sherwood

Why would we give them any money for Cleverley when he's out of contract in the summer?

Vlaar can walk up the M6.

[villan from luton]

Vlaar is a far better player on the right side, he is so uncomfortable on the left. He is a good player, had some dodgy moments recently but is more than good enough for us

[old man villa fan]

How much of the negative feeling towards Vlaar is due to him not signing an extension to his contract at the beginning of the season (a bit like the Houlier Anfield saga).

My concern is that we need a right left combination in the centre of the defence.  Okore and Vlaar are right side and Clark and Baker left side.  Okore and Clark looked good together but they are far too inexperienced as a pair.  Clark is ahead of Baker by quite a way in my opinion and I would like to see both given at least half a season to see if they continue their improvement.  The problem with the four of them is that none can play fullback in emergency.

Not sure whether I would bring in a central defender on the right or left.