Sylvain Distin

[Professor Toffee]

I agree mate. The only thing I will say in Jag's defence is that he looks fine alongside Stones. I don't think he has any confidence alongside Distin anymore, although it's probably the same vice versa!

Completely agree about Howard, he's a joke. Only makes saves when we're miles ahead, and literally never keeps us in a game (and it has always been the case!). When you consider that Liverpool got rid of Rein, and we still have Howard, it is mind boggling. Probably the most average goalkeeper to have lasted at a top team in my memory.

Let's get Shawcross redemption in and swap Howard for Mignolet

 

[Groucho]

I love Distin. I really do.

Time to realise he's not a regular starter any more.

For him and some fans.

Stones is the way to go.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Been a good player for us but it's time for him to do one.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Never was as good as Lescott, definite downgrade. Positionally he's awful but against strikers that run onto the ball his pace got him back more often than not. Against teams that put the ball in the box though it was in the net before he could recover. Neither him or Jagielka are proactive defenders they wait for the danger then react. Stones meanwhile anticipates it so is already in the right place. Thats why both players looked good with Stones or with Heitinga but are rubbish as a partnership.

Centrebacks are all about partnerships. Vidic and Ferdinand both could look poor with other players but imperious together. Jagielka and Distin are/were good players individually but for me an awful partnership that you could not rely on to keep a 1 goal lead. One long bouncing ball could do for the both of them.

 

[MACCA75]

An 'awful partnership' yet we have been defensively solid for years - 3rd best defence in the Prem last season. Some utter garbage on this thread like.

He's showing his age this season, shock horror. I'm sure the plan was to ease Stones in to replace him.

 

[1966efc]

An 'awful partnership' yet we have been defensively solid for years - 3rd best defence in the Prem last season. Some utter garbage on this thread like.

He's showing his age this season, shock horror. I'm sure the plan was to ease Stones in to replace him.

Away with you and your sickening common sense.

 

[Moomin]

An 'awful partnership' yet we have been defensively solid for years - 3rd best defence in the Prem last season. Some utter garbage on this thread like.

He's showing his age this season, shock horror. I'm sure the plan was to ease Stones in to replace him.

Distin is the oldest outfield player in the premiership, he obviously wants to play. Fair play to him, but I hope he leaves in the summer on a high.

Age has finally caught up to him. But, he is not as bad as some make out on here. The reality is he will only get worse now.

 

[toffeejack]

I agree mate. The only thing I will say in Jag's defence is that he looks fine alongside Stones. I don't think he has any confidence alongside Distin anymore, although it's probably the same vice versa!

Completely agree about Howard, he's a joke. Only makes saves when we're miles ahead, and literally never keeps us in a game (and it has always been the case!). When you consider that Liverpool got rid of Rein, and we still have Howard, it is mind boggling. Probably the most average goalkeeper to have lasted at a top team in my memory.

people will point to the villa game away last season, but the fact that games he has kept us in stick out is the worst part. it should be the games that keepers let us down that should be the ones that standout for a top 5 team like us. anyway, i've bashed him for long enough, he'll always have my support, but i'll still curse his name after every half mistake ha.

 

[deipnosophist]

About to sign a new two year contract, Martinez thinks his recent performances have been phenomenal

RM : "Sylvain is in a phenomenal moment of his football"

 

[TX Bill]

Said it before so I'll say it again.

Distin can still do a job for us but not back to back matches and certainly not Thursday then Sunday. Don't want him playing in less than seven days time between matches if possible.

Good to have on the squad though.

 

[1966efc]

Said it before so I'll say it again.

Distin can still do a job for us but not back to back matches and certainly not Thursday then Sunday. Don't want him playing in less than seven days time between matches if possible.

Good to have on the squad though.

Sorry, have to disagree. It's an indicator of our weakness for me.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Said it before so I'll say it again.

Distin can still do a job for us but not back to back matches and certainly not Thursday then Sunday. Don't want him playing in less than seven days time between matches if possible.

Good to have on the squad though.

For me the real problem is there technical ability
Him and jags are both poor in possession and need replacing asap
Obviously distain age is not helping

But teams are playing on him and jags
They set up to stop our full backs and let distan & jags have the ball
Knowing full well they won't do anything with it

They are more likely to [Poor language removed] up eventually

When stones and hopefully a new left side CB who is also very comfortable on the ball
Things will change

As they can bring the ball out and not give it away or panic under pressure
Also this will allow besic to drop in a CB when one of them goes forward

And this will make things a lot harder for teams who come to park the bus

 

[deipnosophist]

For me the real problem is there technical ability
Him and jags are both poor in possession and need replacing asap
Obviously distain age is not helping

But teams are playing on him and jags
They set up to stop our full backs and let distan & jags have the ball
Knowing full well they won't do anything with it

They are more likely to [Poor language removed] up eventually

When stones and hopefully a new left side CB who is also very comfortable on the ball
Things will change

As they can bring the ball out and not give it away or panic under pressure
Also this will allow besic to drop in a CB when one of them goes forward

And this will make things a lot harder for teams who come to park the bus

Well said mate. You understand this, I understand this, everybody on this forum understands this and opposition managers understand this ... ...over to you Roberto Martinez

 

[Toffeelover]

An 'awful partnership' yet we have been defensively solid for years - 3rd best defence in the Prem last season. Some utter garbage on this thread like.

He's showing his age this season, shock horror. I'm sure the plan was to ease Stones in to replace him.

All players get older, their fitness and effectiveness invariably suffers at which point it is beholden on the manager to see this, act accordingly by releasing said player not hanging onto him .


Someone earlier mentioned Shawcross, i thought ages he would suit us, a tough no nonsense defender. Him alongside Stones could be interesting. I also though before Chelseas stepped in we should have gone for Cahill.

 

[ijjysmith]

For me the real problem is there technical ability
Him and jags are both poor in possession and need replacing asap
Obviously distain age is not helping

But teams are playing on him and jags
They set up to stop our full backs and let distan & jags have the ball
Knowing full well they won't do anything with it

They are more likely to [Poor language removed] up eventually

When stones and hopefully a new left side CB who is also very comfortable on the ball
Things will change

As they can bring the ball out and not give it away or panic under pressure
Also this will allow besic to drop in a CB when one of them goes forward

And this will make things a lot harder for teams who come to park the bus

That is sadly not all of the problem though.

Even when Jags and Distin don't have it and the likes of Barkley or Eto'o or whoever have it in the opposition half we don't have the ability to get past the inevitable wall of players in front of us.

We need to allow the opposition to come onto us a little to leave gaps at their backend. But as you say leaving it with Jags and Distin is a risk in itself currently.