DelboyVilla Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I would imagine had Houllier stayed then Dunne would be sold and Cuellar/Clark would be the CB pairing. Its like Mancini when he joined City, he took one look at Dunne and decided he isnt the style of defender to take the club forward...Positioning and vision is lacking in the player..Pederson's goal v Blackburn is a prime example of how a player can run from a midfield position to get on the end of the cross and not one of defenders seen it coming. And any defenders that need 3 players in midfield ahead of them acting as extra defensive cover cant be called great..If these 3 midfielders wanted to go forward we are too exposed at the back...We need a defence that can read the game and defend as a unit without having to rely on the midfield to do half their job. Well thank God Houllier has been put down!!! For Pedersen goal it was the fault of the midfield/full back as part of their job on the pitch is to track the late arrivals in the box! It is very difficult for the central defenders to mark a late runner! As for the defence needing 3 CM's, that's bollox, 2 CM one defensive tackler one box to box is all this team needs! 2 holding is ridiculously negative and not what we are playing. And why oh why does everything have to come back to the bungling buffoon Houllier??? The man near on got us relegated and was at the French FA during one of it's darkest days at the last world cup!! Thank McGrath Randy put him down!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa89 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Its far too early to be saying he's playing well IMO. We've played fulham away and Blackburn and wolves at home. That's about as easy a fixture list as you could hope. Wait until he comes against suarez, augero, rooney, etc. and then we'll see if hes playing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted August 29, 2011 VT Supporter Share Posted August 29, 2011 I think both Dunne and Collins have improved this season. I still think not having Walker, whilst hindering us attacking wise, has helped us defensively. I think it's the fact our defenders are more suited to this style. Sitting back, midfielders deep, let the opposition have it, hope the sort of created chances come from out wide where Dunne and Collins are inevitably strong. We were far more open last year. Agreed. A big part of that openness, was Walker getting forward. It was great attacking wise, but it meant he was out of position a lot and that dragged our centrebacks (Collins especially IMO) out of position Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno_2004 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 So the fact that Dunne has stopped throwing about six clangers leading to a goal every game and has now restricted it to one or two means that he is back to his best? If it does, fair enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan_007 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Its like Mancini when he joined City, he took one look at Dunne and decided he isnt the style of defender to take the club forward Nope he didn't. He wasn't at city when dunne was sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 i'm not sure that he's at his best. he's playing ok i guess, but we haven't had any major test yet. and we conceded a goal against a real poor Blackburn side. Everton away and Man City away will be the 2 upcoming games where we'll find out whether Dunne is back to his best or not. the jury is still out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbertoAVFC Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The Doyle point mentioned earlier in the thread is spot-on. Kevin Doyle gave Dunne and Collins a nightmare last season and the season before - on Saturday he was completely ineffective. Maybe not back to his best, but who can complain about one goal conceded from three games. Of course our attacking is perhaps suffering, but you need to use a solid defence as a platform to work on that, which is what we'll do - especially when N'Zog gets fit and develops more of an understanding with Bent & Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentVilla Posted August 29, 2011 Moderator Share Posted August 29, 2011 Well if his current level of performance is 'his best' then I will continue to think he is nothing but an above average PL defender. So far we have played Fulham, Blackburn and Wolves. That is three sides with extremely limited attacking threat and that really should be remembered when people are heaping praise on him. Even against that opposition he hasn't been brilliant, far from it, sure he has been solid but the mistakes have still been there and I'm sure that bigger errors are around the corner from him. When we start playing some decent sides then we will see how well Dunne is playing. After his conduct and performances last season I would have been delighted to see him replaced this summer but that clearly isn't going to happen so I hope he continues to improve but I'm not going to start praising him just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisNichollsToe Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 He looks better than last season, but its still not at his best. Still looses a little concentration here and there, but i guess he always has done. Not at his best yet, but hes getting there. Also, have you noticed how Dunne plays better, when we have a solid left back beside him? Warnock was shite last term, as was Dunne, Warnock has improved so far this term, as has Dunne. Connection??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Can't say I rate any of our starting back 4 now that L. Young has gone .. Clark I rate but needs games to develop, Cuellar is good but lacks a bit of pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_John_10 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 No real shock that our defence would improve once houllier finally left. And to think some had the nerve to suggest there was nothing houllier could do after inheriting such an awlful defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanky Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 No real shock that our defence would improve once houllier finally left. This is true. Not a surprise judging by the noises that were coming out of VP last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I don't like him, never did and never will, he's the most error prone player that I have ever seen in 30 years of football, and he has huge, absolutely undeserved, wages. He is absolutely uncapable to pass the ball, he always belts it clear instead of building the play from the back. Awful. Cjeran Clarke, please Mr ML Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I've actually always thought the opposite. Dunne always seems the calm CB in terms of trying to play from the back, even his clearances are usually 'clipped' placed passes, rather than a 'whack' always thought Collins was the one who likes to play longer, still in a directional way but not as calm as Dunne is or patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodytom Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 on his day, without doubt, one of the best Central defenders in the league. Man Utd (a) 0-1 springs to mind. Absolutely outstanding!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDuck Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 on his day, without doubt, one of the best Central defenders in the league. Man Utd (a) 0-1 springs to mind. Absolutely outstanding!! Absolutely. 4 time POTY for City. First season with us he made the PFA team of the year. One crap season under a clueless manager did not make him a shit player. Still our best centre back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HolteEndRob Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Back to his best? Hmm, abit too soon to say that BUT compared to last season he's like a new player! Seems to have slimmed down aswell. Considering the lack of investment into the team this summer it was vital that him and Collins stepped it up and thankfully so far they have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobler Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne concedes he would probably have left the club in the summer if Gerard Houllier had stayed on as manager. Dunne endured a fractious relationship with the former Villa boss last season and was disciplined by the club following an incident involving coaching staff at a health spa in March. However, Houllier's health problems saw the Frenchman replaced by Alex McLeish at Villa Park and Dunne is now enjoying playing for the club again. The Republic of Ireland centre-half has resumed his partnership with James Collins at the back and is pleased there has been a change at the helm. "I probably would have left if Houllier had stayed," the Republic of Ireland international told the Birmingham Mail. "I probably would have left if Houllier had stayed. But once there was a new manager coming in, I knew I had a chance to stay." "But once there was a new manager coming in, I knew I had a chance to stay. "I spoke with him when he took over and he said he heard of stuff that happened at Villa last year. "He said if we recaptured our form, he wanted myself and James to be his main centre-backs. That gave us confidence right away." Despite his return to form, though, Dunne admits he would like to emulate international team-mate Robbie Keane and end his career in the United States. Keane has linked up with David Beckham at LA Galaxy and Dunne says a similar move would appeal eventually. He added: "I think it would be nice to live the lifestyle out there. If the opportunity came at 34-35, I'd definitely take it." Sky Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamLL Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Didn't say anything too shocking. Also looks like he's got one eye on a nice retirement package in the US. Might need replacing next season, depending on how he performs in this one of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbertoAVFC Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Not very professional stating publicly that him and Collins are the "main men" - squad chats are private. Great hope for Cuellar eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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