Nathaniel PHILLIPS: 2021/22 (on loan at Bournemouth)

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

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Not sure Sheffield United would have allowed you start the LFC thread against them when you have been secretly starting the Sheffield United matchday threads for them since the season began :rofl:

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They’re all not good enough but at the moment needs must.

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Kabak was all over the place, Nat made a few errors there’s a big difference!

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Both made errors leading to goals. So not much, then.

My resolve only gets stronger in the face of adversity.

:innocent::partying_face::sunglasses::nerd_face:

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I think they are both way way below the standard needed at this club and neither will be at the club next season.I don’t think anyone thinks Philips is the second coming of Hansen nor does Klopp by the way he starts Kabak in front of him.
Without the serious injuries to VVD and Gomez neither would be at the club never mind starting PL games. No doubt had Fabinho been fit he would have partnered Henderson at the back.
I thought Philips did better than Kabak when he came on, granted thats a very low bar but at least he won a few headers and didn’t look absolutely terrified every time the ball came near him.
I don’t want to come across as ranting about Kabak because it’s early days for him and he’s put into a pressure cooker situation but based on what we’ve seen so far I’d be shocked if we go through with a deal for him in the summer, especially at 18M. If he suddenly turns it around then I’ll be more than happy to accept being wrong.

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Van Phillips.

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Like a transit van you mean, one with flat tyres.

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Oh come on Snotty Scotty, be nice to the lad. :heart_eyes:

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When a carthorse like Burke blazes past him like he isn’t there, we know there are going to be issues.

I think it’s crazy that fans want to see him in defence over Fabinho or Kabak.

He’s good enough when a big forward wants to get in a battle with him, but god help us with pacy lads running at him.

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To be honest I’d be equally nervous with Kabak for that very same reason. People seem to get behind him a little too easily for my liking. Phillips sees the problem and often deals with it but if he gets isolated doesn’t have the pace. Kabak on the other hand doesn’t seem to be able to see the problem until it’s too late.

This debate will rage and rage I think.

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In Kabaks defence he’s been here for weeks played with different CB partners, none of which an established senior CB at this level, 2 goalkeepers and now he’s had to move to LCB instead of RCB to accommodate Phillips. He’s also found himself the most established, experienced at top flight level CB in our squad and that’s at 20 years of age. I think in the context he’s doing fantastic. Think jury is and should be out over making the move permanent for a bit longer but not sure what people were expecting from an out of form 20 year old from a team doing awful, brought in on loan and thrust straight in to another team doing awful with no proper CB options to partner him and in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

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Exactly. Not the first time it’s happened either. I’ve nothing against him and he’s provided cover when most needed but when people are putting out statements like barely put a foot wrong and Man of the Match it all feels a bit revisionist.

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Agree. I’m a million miles away from writing Kabak off at this stage. I’m the same with Phillips. I think he’s done a cracking job. Williams too.

What I do find fascinating is the contrast between these players and the areas of weakness which are individual to each of them. How we protect those is equally fascinating I think.

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Deeper line with Alisson prepared to come and claim balls near the edge of his box.

It will encourage teams on to us more which will help given we can’t really compress the opposition and gegenpress how we’d like to without VvD, Gomez and Henderson.

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I think you’re right. I did note we were already a lot deeper than normal yesterday which did open up the lines a bit more for the likes of the midfield and Firmino to operate. We were able to play those long early passes too.

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Kabak might be more agile and faster than Phillips on longer distances but his lack of speed off the mark frightens me. It’s a stark contrast to having the two of the quickest centre backs PL football has seen.

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I think it’s his body position to be honest. He gets caught square on meaning he has to turn before actually starting to run.

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