09 Aug 2013 19:32:10
Ed do you think mertesacker is good because to me he is the worst cb ever, too slow, terrible on ball, never wins a header and we desperately need a new cb to replace him {Ed027's Note - I think he's ok, his weaknesses can be easily targeted by other teams, but else where's he's great reads the game well, very vocal, good tackler, he's not terrible on th ball at all, the main thing that surprised me when he came was his inability to win aerial battles, he's actually ver weak there when in reality he shouldn't be, we need Bouldy to teach him, you make ou like he's piss poor but he's first choice for Germany and he has a brilliant partnership with koscielny

1.) 10 Aug 2013
Agreed. I have never seen a defender who is so underrated as Per--mostly because his reading of the game is absolutely superb. He makes attacking midfielders look like they've played a bad pass, when in reality he's just cut off all the angles.

For example, Ferdinand may be slow but he's had to adapt his game. Per's never been fast, so he's been playing all his life with other skills in his locker.

Easily first choice with Kos, superb partnership that one.

2.) 10 Aug 2013
I really don't get all this negative vibe about Mertesacker. Yes it is obvious he is not quick and not as good in the air as he should be for a giant but the rest of his game is pretty much spot on. Not sure how he is criticised for his distribution. Plays it simple and forward every time. It wasn't a coincidence that our defence became tight once our back five became regular. Bad players don't play for Germany as long as he has

3.) 10 Aug 2013
I think he's one of the most underrated CBs in the league. His anticipation is incredible and he's a good leader. Personally I think because he lacks any flair and is very slow, he stands out and therefore is targeted as a weakness.

4.) 10 Aug 2013
I think you are being a bit harsh on him. 90% of what he does is world class and in a team where the defence sits deep and soaks up pressure he is very effective.

Unfortunately Arsenal holds a very high line and has marauding full backs who spend most of their time deep in the oppositions half when we have the ball. This exposes his fatal flaw which as everyone and his mother knows is his lack of pace.

There must be a short paragraph in every EPL managers tactics book on how to beat Arsenal.

" Let them press hard and committ most of their players then try and nick the ball. Make a run down the right wing to pull Kos out wide and then play a deep ball behind Mert to allow a pacey forward to run onto the ball and assume the keeper will make the wrong choice and allow us to score. Once ahead defend deep soak up the pressure and rely on Arsenals inability to break through a deep defence to win the game. Job done"

It is the 10% lacking in his game that is the Arsenal defence's fatal flaw that has and will cost us game after game.

Our style of play does not match his numerous strengths and therefore he should not be our first choice, not because he is bad but just because he is a mismatch for our needs. We need another player with Kos's skill set and for Verm to recover his form.

5.) 10 Aug 2013
He is a good reader of the game and a good tackler but in our high line his lack of pace does get exposed if he is left one on one. Also for such a big guy his core strength is poor and often gets out powered by the big forwards. In my opinon we need another Koscielnly at the Back.

6.) 10 Aug 2013
If you think he's the worst CB ever you haven't followed football for more than three months.

7.) 10 Aug 2013
I agree for the last 10 games of last season he played well but mainly because kos was so good. But apart from that he was poor last season. Also did people see him in emirates cup, he was dreadful both games. First should have closed down quicker or covered angles better against Napoli. And second game he was flat footed against Drogba and just didn't move