VvDeclining

[MomoWASright]

Earlier on in the season he looked like a man mountain. It feels like that is now declining. Over the past few weeks more and more errors are creeping in. A few times he’s coming for headers he doesn’t need, most notably the one against Man U for their goal.

His pace is going which is expected at 31. Last night he looked sluggish and generally tired. He’s isn’t helping himself still playing international football. I don’t get why players who want to prolong their careers still compete at that level in their 30s. Take those breaks to reenergise yourself.

He’s not been helped by having a brain dead partner or constant chopping and changing at full back. But this could appear to be the beginning of the end of our number four. I think this could well be the last season he’s our first choice CB. If it is, do we keep him round for another season and let him go on a free in 2027? Or would it be for a sale in the summer so he gets one last big deal?

 

[737Max]

He needs to call the boys round for another chat because the last one wet well

 

[MomoWASright]

He must be shit at BBQ.

 

[737Max]

Ali is the bbq man, VVD all about smoking da pancake

 

[darkstarexodus]

We're leaving him far too exposed and even a slight decline from his peak is enough for gaps to appear.

He's got another couple years or more at the top, but not if we keep setting up/playing like this.

 

[binomial]

Well it was only a matter of time before we got round to Virg I suppose.

Probably mentally fatiqued from all the shit that surrounds him, which stems from our clueless manager. He's the one responsible for our defensive vulnerability, he's the one responsible for our lack of control in midfield and he's the one responsible for our lack of cohesion with our front 3. His lack of charisma and motivation gives us no chance to play with any meaning or intent. He needs to go.

One thing I will say about Virg though, don't want to hear anymore shit coming out his mouth post match about how "we need to do better", "we need to put things right", "our season starts now", "we need the fans behind us" and all this shit, do your talking on the pitch like the professionals you're supposed to be.

 

[rubans]

Kind of inevitable and noticeable on number of times he had a go at Kerkez. He has yet to develop trust or relationship on the left side too and that’s a big factor at present.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Mentioned it in yesterday's thread ...
Enjoy him like we enjoyed Salah last year ... as it's going to hurt watching a club legend declining in front of our eyes.

 

[Halmeister]

I'm gonna stick up for him a bit here actually. He was good earlier on in the season while Konate was fannying about. He's Milos Moreno on the other side of him making a show of himself too. He's obviously not going to be as good as he was 5 years ago, but he's still at a very high level. He was one of the few players actually acquitting themselves quite well. Agree regarding the international footy.

 

[Modo]

I agree, I think it's a bit premature to say he's past it. He might not be superman anymore, but he's still world class.

 

[Markeh]

i personally think he/we need at least another adult in the back 4. thats a mature professional who can be trusted to do their job well and help others. it’s got to be mentally and physically draining keeping on top of other lads, bailing them out, wondering whether they’re going to do what you expect.

when there’s a settled, familiar, back 4 virgil can switch some of that off and concentrate more on his own game. ibou is sometimes an adult but not consistently, imo guehi could have been perfect.

with the new fullbacks and the out of form mess in front of him that doesn’t seem to offer a lot of protection, virgil at this age is going to struggle to carry us defensively.

 

[Brizzle]

We’re running him into the ground physically & mentally.

Needs rest. Needs our other leaders to step up.

But as i put in my thread, this is the worst version of VVD we have seen. Mostly because he’s been exceptional every other season.

 

[Brizzle]

Also put this in a Leoni thread at the time but it’s a shame that Leoni misses this year of learning from Virg on the training ground or on the pitch