Tyrone Mings

[darren woolley]

It was good to see Tyrone back last night I felt so happy for him.

[Rigadon]

It would've been good to see him back as an 80th minute sub. That he started and finished the game, and played well is what made it so great a return.  He looked like he'd been back for several weeks to me.  Fantastic. 

[brontebilly]

He definitely jumps above Carlos now in the pecking order. It was great to see him organising again. A true captain.

I don't think that is the case, as I can't see Mings playing on the right side where Carlos plays.  We might see him rotating with Torres more in the coming weeks and months.

People keep saying this in a way they never said about Terry, or Vidic, or Nesta, or any number of right-footed centrebacks who preferred the left-hand slot. Torres is one of our most important players, he's not 'rotation'.

The one time I saw Terry play at RCB he was an absolute disaster, England at the WC2010 next to Upson. Swapping positions is a big deal for most centre backs. The relationship with your full back etc, all that changes when you swap sides. That assuming both players are comfortable on their weaker foot and turning onto their weaker side, Mings is patently unable to do this.

Also think these days there is huge pressure on centre backs and even goalkeepers to be comfortable in possession. Mings can't kick a ball with his right foot. Moving Torres over there will hugely restrict his ability to distribute the ball quickly and accurately. He gets the ball out on the left hand side at the moment and most of the other side pitch is open to him for a smart diagonal, he won't get that centrally

I do think we will see a back 3 of Konsa, Torres, Mings being given a go at times this season. Maybe Mings could drop in as a defensive LB at times too. Late on v Bournemouth might have been a time to try it but I don't see it working for us in medium/long term.

[LeeB]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.

In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

[Brend'Watkins]

Great to hear his return to the fold was so welcome and that he was decent on the night.  Shame about the result though.

[Rigadon]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.

In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

Same for me too.  And Kamara too.  Having them back and looking lie they are the 'same' is ace. 

[Mister E]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.
In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

He also dominated the air defensively (shame that Eze was allowed to run in unopposed to score) in a way that we've lacked without him.

[eamonn]

That header was far too easy for Eze but it was Carlos and Ned's side and they both ball-watched.

[Percy McCarthy]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.
In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

He also dominated the air defensively (shame that Eze was allowed to run in unopposed to score) in a way that we've lacked without him.

He won 7/8 aerial duels. Torres has won 8 all season.

[eamonn]

Pau so timid.

[Percy McCarthy]

The last time a Villa player won 7+ aerial duels was Mings before his injury. (8 v Everton).

[Monty]

He definitely jumps above Carlos now in the pecking order. It was great to see him organising again. A true captain.

I don't think that is the case, as I can't see Mings playing on the right side where Carlos plays.  We might see him rotating with Torres more in the coming weeks and months.

People keep saying this in a way they never said about Terry, or Vidic, or Nesta, or any number of right-footed centrebacks who preferred the left-hand slot. Torres is one of our most important players, he's not 'rotation'.

The one time I saw Terry play at RCB he was an absolute disaster, England at the WC2010 next to Upson. Swapping positions is a big deal for most centre backs. The relationship with your full back etc, all that changes when you swap sides. That assuming both players are comfortable on their weaker foot and turning onto their weaker side, Mings is patently unable to do this.

Also think these days there is huge pressure on centre backs and even goalkeepers to be comfortable in possession. Mings can't kick a ball with his right foot. Moving Torres over there will hugely restrict his ability to distribute the ball quickly and accurately. He gets the ball out on the left hand side at the moment and most of the other side pitch is open to him for a smart diagonal, he won't get that centrally

I do think we will see a back 3 of Konsa, Torres, Mings being given a go at times this season. Maybe Mings could drop in as a defensive LB at times too. Late on v Bournemouth might have been a time to try it but I don't see it working for us in medium/long term.

You keep banging on about Mings' inability with his right without actually any evidence to support it. I see little evidence of him being weaker in duels where the attacker dribbles to his right, either.

Sure, switching sides wouldn't necessarily be a cakewalk, but, I mean, your Terry example - John Terry was right footed and played on the left and this somehow supports your argument? Sorry pal, until it's been tried there's zero evidence to suggest it can't work, and you're just going on stereotypes of leftfooters being particularly unidextrous which are just prejudices in the end, with no actual proof backing them up.

[eamonn]

Us left-footers are still seen as sinister.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

Us left-footers are still seen as sinister.

Absolutely this.

As someone who also possesses "a wand of a left foot" (the universal and required description of any left-footed player) it is clear to me that right-footed players find it so alien to contemplate using their left foot that they assume that left-footed players must be the same. It's not true.

I've always know us 'caggy-handers' were superior. UTV

[PaulWinch again]

The tackle when he made up loads of ground to fly in a block the shot absolutely the best thing about last night, that and him playing 90 minutes.
In fact, I think just seeing that has negated any disappointment at going out, feels like a win just seeing him back not only playing, but still being our best defender.

He also dominated the air defensively (shame that Eze was allowed to run in unopposed to score) in a way that we've lacked without him.

He won 7/8 aerial duels. Torres has won 8 all season.

Yeah, but I wouldn’t be swapping Pau for Ty. Delighted he’s back and he’ll be a great addition to the squad, but Pau is one of our key players.