Pau Torres

[PaulWinch again]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

[Percy McCarthy]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

I can only speak for myself but want us to go with our most effective partnerships/combinations. But I accept that Mings can’t play all the time.

[Ads]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

We could do with our van Dijk moment in the summer. That elevating player who doesn't come cheap but is worth 15 points on his own.

[Mister E]

                   Martinez
         Konsa    Mings    Torres
Garcia                                Maatsen
                     Kamara     
      Malen      Tielemans    Ramsey
                     Watkins       

I'd have given a version of this a go some while back, injuries permitting; seems obvious to me.

[PaulWinch again]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

I can only speak for myself but want us to go with our most effective partnerships/combinations. But I accept that Mings can’t play all the time.

I love Ty, but he’s also not a long-term option either.

[ChicagoLion]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

I can only speak for myself but want us to go with our most effective partnerships/combinations. But I accept that Mings can’t play all the time.

I love Ty, but he’s also not a long-term option either.

He would have been the best option n Saturday, and that is not based on hindsight.
I winced when I saw Torres and Cash on the team sheet.

[Percy McCarthy]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

I can only speak for myself but want us to go with our most effective partnerships/combinations. But I accept that Mings can’t play all the time.

I love Ty, but he’s also not a long-term option either.

He would have been the best option n Saturday, and that is not based on hindsight.
I winced when I saw Torres and Cash on the team sheet.

My immediate reaction is on record in the match thread.

“Fucking Pau again”.

I like him more than that outburst makes it seem, but he’s only any good with Carlos next to him, which is obviously not an option.

[Dave]

I like him more than that outburst makes it seem, but he’s only any good with Carlos next to him, which is obviously not an option.

I assume he was pretty decent with Raul Albiol too.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I suspect it’s more profile of player than specifically DC. I also don’t think “only” is true, more that if not it’s more likely his weaknesses exposed.

[Percy McCarthy]

I like him more than that outburst makes it seem, but he’s only any good with Carlos next to him, which is obviously not an option.

I assume he was pretty decent with Raul Albiol too.

Probably. I’d be guessing though. It’s a simple matter of fact about his Villa performances this season, even if it's not simple enough for some.

[Percy McCarthy]

Yeah I suspect it’s more profile of player than specifically DC. I also don’t think “only” is true, more that if not it’s more likely his weaknesses exposed.

Quite possibly. But alongside Konsa and with Cash at RB it’s a goal drain. Just an ineffective combination.

[brontebilly]

We seem to concede more goals with Torres’s in the team.
That is not nuance.
I don’t think anyone is saying we can’t play well or win with Torres in the team.
Of course not helped when we play Cash aswell.

What's your issue with Cash defensively? He used to be very rash but I think he's improved that side of his game a lot.

[Monty]

I like Cash, he's improved a lot, but we do seem to concede a lot from the right regardless of who's there. Disasi's issues have been done to death, but Cash has been in there too.

[SaddVillan]

Opposing coaches see our right side as a weakness.
Emery likes to focus pur attacks down the left and tends to create overloads on that side of the pitch.

Cash, more often than not has no proper cover in front of him - nobody tracking back to provide defensive support, hence why he's seen as being the weak link.

I'm not sure he's being judged fairly.

Having said that, I feel that we should be looking to upgrade, although I like what I've seen from Garcia thus far.

[VillaTim]

So I think there are perfectly valid arguments that Pau isn’t a dominant centre-half who is good at duels, which means if we don’t get our defensive structure right we lack that. But that doesn’t mean Pau is a bad defender or doesn’t add value - it is clear from the amount of the highest level domestic games and European games that he’s played in and we’ve won that he can perform at that level. There are a few on here who are wilfully blind to that - not sure why, but it’s odd.

I can only speak for myself but want us to go with our most effective partnerships/combinations. But I accept that Mings can’t play all the time.

I love Ty, but he’s also not a long-term option either.

Neither is Torres with all his faults and limitations . I'd sell this summer and upgrade.
Mings has at least 2 high level seasons in the tank .