22 Jun 2015 08:57:34
A lot of people are shouting out for a new centre back to replace merts. Per comes in for a lot of unfair criticism on here, but the reality is, he brings composure and organisation to our back four, before he came i our defence was a mess for years. Since his arrival we've consistently had one of top three defences in the league, obviously the coming of age of koscienly has also helped, but the transformation of koscielny probably had a lot to do with the arrival of Merts

1.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 09:34:56
Totally agree saint, a cb is not needed and to buy someone of merts standards or better will cost stupid money as there all tied down by contracts as long as your arm.

2.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 09:37:32
Saint I can't think of any player we have ever had who was more deserving of criticism mate, Stoke and Liverpool episodes have never been explained or apologised for so how do we know he won't duck out of a title costing headed clearance next season mate?
Even his biggest fans have to admit that is totally unacceptable surely.

{Ed001's Note - I don't understand the suggestion that he has raised Koscielny up a level, when Koscielny was excellent long before Mertesacker signed. It is hard to see how playing alongside Mertesacker has brought it out of him, it was already there.}

3.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 11:11:45
Me neither Ed, I also don't understand why the blokes not accountable for anything, Giroud should be so lucky

{Ed001's Note - that is a good point, Giroud does seem to be the whipping boy, while Mertesacker seems to get away with a fair bit. It is odd how certain players are targets.}

4.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 11:29:02
I feel slightly vindicated gold c after the "someone of merts standards " considering the badgering of previous post on quality CB's.

Mert has his decent moments but on the whole is a complete and utter liability he has no technical ability whatsoever.

Do you see what he's like when he gets ball in loads of space. He has the turning circle of a bus and can't even touch the ball with his weaker foot.

He's good in the air whoopsie doo. Hope Gabriel steps up