Mbia

[Geng]

I would say its unfair to label Yaya as a DM but I understand your overall point.

Makelele is the only one of those four who I would consider a proper DM. Keane and Viera were in the last generation of great box-to-box midfielders. Both played mostly in a two man central midfield. Makelele sat behind two other CMs (Lampard + Ballack/Essien) and had a purely defensive role.

Mbia's role today was pretty similar to Makelele's at Chelsea, but not the others named

[rodman]

probably CB could be his position, what happened to that midfield at White Hart Lane that looked so assured and polished?

Probably the worst place for him imo.

All them clumsy fouls would be penalties.

It don't bear thinking.

[Norths]

Makelele is the only one of those four who I would consider a proper DM. Keane and Viera were in the last generation of great box-to-box midfielders. Both played mostly in a two man central midfield. Makelele sat behind two other CMs (Lampard + Ballack/Essien) and had a purely defensive role.

Mbia's role today was pretty similar to Makelele's at Chelsea, but not the others named

Very true Gengster

[Del]

What a stupid thread. Mbia is class at breaking up play, broke down numerous attacks today both in the air and on the floor. A defensive midfielder is not meant to heard. He's job is to make sure not too many attacks come through the middle. Some people are clueless

Agree 100%. He isnt there to be silky on the ball, that can be left to others. His job is to disrupt and break up opposition play and give it easy. Also his passing isnt half as bad as many make out anyway. He is good at what he does and busts a gut, completely to the contrary of many fans suggestions all these imports are effortless mercenaries. Also, he looks cllumsy at times but i think he knows exactly what he's doing and tries the innocent stupid look to try and fool refs so they dont dish out cards, but whewn essential, he'll take one by using a clumsy challenge to stop them at all costs. At times this is essential from players.... it's called taking one for the team.

[MattyRangers]

Don't mind Mbia tbf, but clumsy and loses possession abit much but not as bad as some like to make out at all. Rather Diakite CM though.

[Deadend_Friend]

He's been very poor of late. Lost his form, drop him for Diakite/Derry next week please!

[Busheyboy]

he tries but has limitations
Harry seems to like him
we need someone who can do that kind of job, not a great footballer tbf
don't think Harry will change the team next week, if they are all fit

[West Acton]

[QUOTE=Del;1043332 he'll take one by using a clumsy challenge to stop them at all costs. At times this is essential from players.... it's called taking one for the team.[/QUOTE]

Spot on. The amount of times in the past we have allowed opposition to walk through our midfield and defence when there breaking when a more professional team would drag the player down and kill the game. We dont do it enough sometimes you need to take the yellow card for the team.

[qblockoompah]

You can't possibly compare Mbia with that list. All of those did not just win the ball, they had the ability to drive forward with it, play an incisive pass, and rarely got booked for a silly challenge.

keane and Veira rarely booked for a silly challenge? Are you forking dizzy blud?

[Shepherds Mush]

No way would you play him at CB - we'd give far too many free kicks away around the box. In my opinion he does what he needs to in stopping a team attacking straight through the middle.

[Yousef]

Mbia really frustrates me. He is very clumsy, and he gives the ball away too easily. Hopefully he will up his game next week

Exactly

[BUSHRANGER1982]

M'bia brings me out in a cold sweat sometimes, but I thought he did his job well enough. The role he plays for the team isn't a pretty one, and we do need a bit of steel in midfield.

[dave58]

Should play Diakite much better than M'bia prob would help Granero as well?

[Wolfy]

You can't possibly compare Mbia with that list. All of those did not just win the ball, they had the ability to drive forward with it, play an incisive pass, and rarely got booked for a silly challenge.

Unfortunately, we seem o give the ball away dr to easy a a whole not just Mbia.

[theblackmafia.]

Diakite would have been sent off once or twice if he had played more games. Diakite is better at going forward but is so lazy when it comes to tracking back. Mbia is a nut job but I like his commitment.