I wonder what it would take for people to stop 'doubting' him ffs. We are sitting top of the league, undefeated, 3 hat-tricks so far (one a 5 goal performance), one vs. the Dippers, and beautiful all-round play this season.
Dimitar Berbatov | 2010/11 Performances
- Thread starter Commadus
- Start date
- Status
I wonder what it would take for people to stop 'doubting' him ffs. We are sitting top of the league, undefeated, 3 hat-tricks so far (one a 5 goal performance), one vs. the Dippers, and beautiful all-round play this season.
True.
I guess for some people once they get an idea into their heads it's difficult to remove it
Berba has been excellent this season and will be EPL top scorer - something which I did not expect but it comes as a nice surprise. Also I think he will be up for the main awards at the end of the season.
It seems Rooney and Berba roles have been reversed from last season where Rooney took all the plaudits for his goals whilst Berba played a more reserved role.
Now it maybe asking for too much but it would be great if Rooney could start scoring so we have 2 strikers banging them in but perhaps it doesnt work out like this - the last time I can recall when both strikers were banging them in was the SAS of Shearer and Sutton for Blackburn.
My only concern is in the CL what will SAF do - push Rooney out wide or drop Berba as we will most likely go 4-3-3.
It seems Rooney and Berba roles have been reversed from last season where Rooney took all the plaudits for his goals whilst Berba played a more reserved role.
Now it maybe asking for too much but it would be great if Rooney could start scoring so we have 2 strikers banging them in but perhaps it doesnt work out like this - the last time I can recall when both strikers were banging them in was the SAS of Shearer and Sutton for Blackburn.
My only concern is in the CL what will SAF do - push Rooney out wide or drop Berba as we will most likely go 4-3-3.
This is what keeps me up at night, I really hope that Rooney takes one for the team and plays out wide because if we get to the situation where our most creative player isn't getting a game in Europe it will be disastrous. Plus I was thinking that a front three of Nani, Berba and Rooney is at least as good as Pedro, Messi and Villa in my opinion. If Barca's midfield wasn't so bloody terrific we might stand a chance if we get drawn against them.
This.
Why would Fergie drop Nani or Scholes? His role this year is far more about goal scoring then chance creation. He was dropped against Arsenal because he doesn't fit the bill of the type of player needed in those games. He doesn't impose himself and hustle defenders like Rooney so he will rarely start in the massive games. He's at his best when we've got plenty of ball and Blackburn aside he's rarely out most successful counter attacking player as that just isn't his style. He's been fantastic at times this year but he's not the type of player to sit well in a 451 or 433 and run his legs off for 75 minutes.
ESM Golden Shoe standings: 23 January 2011
1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF, ESP) 22 goals x 2 = 44
2 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona, ESP) 19 x 2 = 38
3 Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United FC, ENG) 17 x 2 = 34
4 Kenny Miller (Rangers FC/Bursaspor, SCO/TUR) 21 x 1.5 = 31.5
5 Papiss Demba Cissé (SC Freiburg, GER) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München, GER) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio, ITA) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Moussa Sow (LOSC Lille Métropole, FRA) 15 x 2 = 30
9 *Welliton (FC Spartak Moskva, RUS) 19 x 1.5 = 28.5
10 Edinson Cavani (SSC Napoli, ITA) 14 x 2 = 28
10 Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER) 14 x 2 = 28
10 Carlos Tévez (Manchester City FC, ENG) 14 x 2 = 28
10 David Villa (FC Barcelona, ESP) 14 x 2 = 28
It seems that only Ronaldo and Messi have scored more league goals than Berbatov in the top leagues this season.
1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF, ESP) 22 goals x 2 = 44
2 Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona, ESP) 19 x 2 = 38
3 Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United FC, ENG) 17 x 2 = 34
4 Kenny Miller (Rangers FC/Bursaspor, SCO/TUR) 21 x 1.5 = 31.5
5 Papiss Demba Cissé (SC Freiburg, GER) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München, GER) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Antonio Di Natale (Udinese Calcio, ITA) 15 x 2 = 30
5 Moussa Sow (LOSC Lille Métropole, FRA) 15 x 2 = 30
9 *Welliton (FC Spartak Moskva, RUS) 19 x 1.5 = 28.5
10 Edinson Cavani (SSC Napoli, ITA) 14 x 2 = 28
10 Theofanis Gekas (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER) 14 x 2 = 28
10 Carlos Tévez (Manchester City FC, ENG) 14 x 2 = 28
10 David Villa (FC Barcelona, ESP) 14 x 2 = 28
It seems that only Ronaldo and Messi have scored more league goals than Berbatov in the top leagues this season.
Taken from Football365 winners and losers section - I think its being a bit harsh on Berba as in the big games SAF does not play him subsequently he wont be scoring all that much in the big games.
"The Bulgarian has found a flat track to the top of the charts. Berbatov is the league's leading scorer despite only scoring against seven different teams, just two of whom - Newcastle and Sunderland - were higher than tenth in the table on Saturday night. He's a home boy, too: 15 of his 17 goals have been registered at Old Trafford."
I suspect SAF will drop Berba in the latter stages of the CL where we go with Rooney up front with Nani and Park wide and a midfield three of Carrick, Scholes, Anderson.
When did I say he should drop Nani or Scholes? In Europe I'd play a flat back four and two lines of three:
Fletcher.......Scholes..........Anderson
or Carrick
Nani..............Berba.............Rooney
Obviously utd play a fluid style so sometimes Rooney and Berba could switch but I think think this allows us to accommodate our best players into a system which works in Europe. In my opinion it would be foolhardy if we can't find a way to play Berbatov (our best player this year imo) in the most important games. Any comments that he can't counter attack are misguided, our best counter-attacking goals this season have involved Berbatov, Nani and Rooney linking up.
What people need to realize is that away from home our service has been up and down. We've just not played that well on the road and often our strikers have gone missing because of it.
At home when we are in control and playing well, obviously Berba will score more because we are creating more at home.
The other thing is just because he doesn't score against top opposition doesn't mean he is a flat track bully. It just means in those games there are fewer chances. Doesn't mean the striker gets them all either. Good thing is we have people that chip in with goals.
He's playing well, we just need to have our midfield and wings play better in some of the tougher games and not isolate him and he should produce given the ball/service.
At home when we are in control and playing well, obviously Berba will score more because we are creating more at home.
The other thing is just because he doesn't score against top opposition doesn't mean he is a flat track bully. It just means in those games there are fewer chances. Doesn't mean the striker gets them all either. Good thing is we have people that chip in with goals.
He's playing well, we just need to have our midfield and wings play better in some of the tougher games and not isolate him and he should produce given the ball/service.
Interesting stats:
Berbatov has scored in 8 out of his 19 games in PL (42%)
Tevez has scored in 9 out of his 21 games in PL (42%)
^^no difference there...
so claiming that Berbatov is scoring loads of goals in few matches, while praising Tevez doesnt really make any sense
Berbatov has scored in 8 out of his 19 games in PL (42%)
Tevez has scored in 9 out of his 21 games in PL (42%)
^^no difference there...
so claiming that Berbatov is scoring loads of goals in few matches, while praising Tevez doesnt really make any sense
From another thread - origianll from the Guardian
Since his last season at Tottenham, when Dimitar Berbatov – in all competitions, including internationals – scored a fairly balanced 15 first-half goals and 16 in the second half of matches, the Bulgarian has been much more productive in the later stages of games. In his entire time at Old Trafford to date he has scored 12 first-half goals and 32 in the second half. He has managed more goals in the last 15 minutes of matches than in the first 45.
Given that he has started the majority of his games at Manchester United, this has to be something of a mystery. But clearly, the upshot is that when Berbatov does grab an early goal he decides that it's likely to be his lucky day. Although his only first-half goal in the whole of last season came in a 3-1 defeat at Everton (which remains the only Manchester United match he has scored in and lost), this season there has been no better omen than an early strike from the 29-year-old.
He has scored in the first half-hour of only three matches, but in those three matches he has scored 10 goals. In the five games where he has started scoring in the first half Berbatov has gone on to amass a total of 14 goals and United have won a maximum 15 points; in the 20 games in which he has failed to score before the interval there have been just four goals, and half of those games have been drawn.Birmingham, foolishly, allowed Berbatov to score in the second minute (by deciding not to bother marking him at a set-piece), and a hat-trick was the near-inevitable result. An idiotic error. Clearly Blues didn't know that all they had to do was keep him quiet for the opening period and they could thenceforth have ignored him at as many set-pieces as they liked and got away with it.
Since his last season at Tottenham, when Dimitar Berbatov – in all competitions, including internationals – scored a fairly balanced 15 first-half goals and 16 in the second half of matches, the Bulgarian has been much more productive in the later stages of games. In his entire time at Old Trafford to date he has scored 12 first-half goals and 32 in the second half. He has managed more goals in the last 15 minutes of matches than in the first 45.
Given that he has started the majority of his games at Manchester United, this has to be something of a mystery. But clearly, the upshot is that when Berbatov does grab an early goal he decides that it's likely to be his lucky day. Although his only first-half goal in the whole of last season came in a 3-1 defeat at Everton (which remains the only Manchester United match he has scored in and lost), this season there has been no better omen than an early strike from the 29-year-old.
He has scored in the first half-hour of only three matches, but in those three matches he has scored 10 goals. In the five games where he has started scoring in the first half Berbatov has gone on to amass a total of 14 goals and United have won a maximum 15 points; in the 20 games in which he has failed to score before the interval there have been just four goals, and half of those games have been drawn.Birmingham, foolishly, allowed Berbatov to score in the second minute (by deciding not to bother marking him at a set-piece), and a hat-trick was the near-inevitable result. An idiotic error. Clearly Blues didn't know that all they had to do was keep him quiet for the opening period and they could thenceforth have ignored him at as many set-pieces as they liked and got away with it.
You asked why Fergie would drop his most creative player 'alluding to Berbatov' but he isn't. He's had 2 or 3 massively creative moments but other then that, he's been far more focused on scoring goals. Games still go past while Berbatov does relatively nothing 'like most strikers' but Nani has been center to nearly every big goal when we've needed it this year.
Our best counter attacks or the ones in which Berbatov have been involved with were against Blackburn. Other then that he still has a tendency to slow the ball down when he gets it which allows their defenders to track back. He can score on the counter, but he isn't a great counter attacking player which is generally what we play in europe.
Hopefully this 433 looks good tonight, if you want Berbatov to play a big role in our European games this year then this is the only way it's going to happen.
Considering Blackpool play a 433 it's pretty likely we are just mirroring them, the thinking being that we've got a better player in every position so that should be enough. If we were playing 442 I'd have thought we'd have used different personnel but hey not long to find out.
we did end up switching to exactly that after just 30 min
Thank you Berba today
He doesn't score important goals or goals away from home.
Berbatov is just a man transformed and possessed. He is just fecking unbelievable right now.
Right now, surely a shoe horn for BPITW.
Right now, surely a shoe horn for BPITW.
What a second half performance, fecking genius.
What a fecking performance!
Player of the season so far, for me.
Player of the season so far, for me.
Take a bow Berba.
Take a bow son!
The criticism often thrown his way is that he disappears when things get tough. Not tonight. He really stepped it up in that second half with his crucial goals. He's a big player and he delivered a big time performance.
The criticism often thrown his way is that he disappears when things get tough. Not tonight. He really stepped it up in that second half with his crucial goals. He's a big player and he delivered a big time performance.
Seems absolutely deadly with his shooting when he has the ball at his feet and he's able to run at players. Great second goal especially today, he doesnt score many with his left foot but that was outstanding.
19 goals all in the league. Excellent. I predicted he'd get minimum 20 and he will surpass that. If we win 19 he is the reason.
I really hope some of his critics are silenced and start to appreciate him now. He's showing consistency - scoring in successive games, home and away - and huge talent - brilliant second-half performance from him, and his skill and technique is still unbelievably good. He's had a brilliant season so far, and I wish more people would acknowledge it.
Now it's time for the staunchest of Tevez-lovers (and thus, usually, Berba-haters) to come out and show us what they've always said - "I'll start praising Berbatov when he deserves it, because I do want him to do well". Now he does deserve it, and it's time for them to show him some praise.
Now it's time for the staunchest of Tevez-lovers (and thus, usually, Berba-haters) to come out and show us what they've always said - "I'll start praising Berbatov when he deserves it, because I do want him to do well". Now he does deserve it, and it's time for them to show him some praise.
Happy happy joy joy
he's got a little Eric in 'im hasn't he!
world class stuff
world class stuff
Berbatov has scored two important goals today. Rooney is having the Tiger Woods syndrome. Please give him some prostitutes to resurrect him, same for Tiger also, no Tiger just want porn stars.
I did not watch the second half so I can't tell how Berba played the whole game, did he fight? Or the goals just came to him? I want to be sold on this guy, but I am hesitant.
I did not watch the second half so I can't tell how Berba played the whole game, did he fight? Or the goals just came to him? I want to be sold on this guy, but I am hesitant.
the day berba became a proper united player.
and i am one of his harshest critics. don't really like him mind, but he's one of us now.
matches like that define seasons.
and i am one of his harshest critics. don't really like him mind, but he's one of us now.
matches like that define seasons.
I'm intrigued to see Johnno's reply.
Probably something along the lines of "He doesn't score in successive games, or away games and doesn't make much of an impact on the scoreline of the game."
Which is a really good argument.
Oh wait...
Probably something along the lines of "He doesn't score in successive games, or away games and doesn't make much of an impact on the scoreline of the game."
Which is a really good argument.
Oh wait...
he stood up to be counted when it matter. fantastic for the fans, the club and especially him.
well in Berba!
He's been great all season, he's even starting to win over the most difficult of fans.
I'm baffled how you can say you don't like him. What makes you not like him?
I 'heart' you Dimi... by the way why isn't there a heart smiley ffs. It would be very appropriate in times like this.
I just hope that people who did criticise him learn something from it.
He was ALWAYS one of us mate!
Agreed, as per usual.
Berbatov comes across as a very classy, grounded fella off the pitch.
You know, feck the critics, esp the United ones ...they know who they are ...and they can keep there feck witted opinions safely up their arses.
For those of us who backed Berbatov (and I include myself in that list), we always knew that form was transitory and class permanent. Berbatov has always ooozed sensational class .... it was always just a matter of him finding his right place at the club and for him to get onto our wavelength.
Anyhow, the analysis of his past two seasons has been agenda driven exaggerated. He has been a key team member and made significant contributions as all the supporting stats prove.
But this season, its clear he has made the mental jump into delivering high performing consistency and frankly speaking, he prolific goal scoring is unparalleled in world football.
I still think that the decision not to take Rooney to the season pre tour and so have Berbatov as the senior father figure striker on in the travelling squad did him a whole deal of good. Without Rooney around to compete for the place of top dog as well the the responsibility he carried in helping bring on new strikers like Hernandez and Macheda has filled him with a new confidence, maturity and level of expectation on himself. Along with Rio, Vidic, VDS, Scholes and Giggs, he is now one of our elder senior squad members who have a collective duty to retain and then propagate the United values through the squad.
His behaviour this season has been exemplary and his response to issues like being dropped after scoring a hat-trick no less have made me proud. He is now Manchester United through and through and will be key part of our strategy for at least the next 2 years.
I think he can break the 35 goal mark in the PL as well as become Europe's top goal scorer. If we can do well in the FA and CL cup too, then all sorts of record goal feats are possible.
For those of us who backed Berbatov (and I include myself in that list), we always knew that form was transitory and class permanent. Berbatov has always ooozed sensational class .... it was always just a matter of him finding his right place at the club and for him to get onto our wavelength.
Anyhow, the analysis of his past two seasons has been agenda driven exaggerated. He has been a key team member and made significant contributions as all the supporting stats prove.
But this season, its clear he has made the mental jump into delivering high performing consistency and frankly speaking, he prolific goal scoring is unparalleled in world football.
I still think that the decision not to take Rooney to the season pre tour and so have Berbatov as the senior father figure striker on in the travelling squad did him a whole deal of good. Without Rooney around to compete for the place of top dog as well the the responsibility he carried in helping bring on new strikers like Hernandez and Macheda has filled him with a new confidence, maturity and level of expectation on himself. Along with Rio, Vidic, VDS, Scholes and Giggs, he is now one of our elder senior squad members who have a collective duty to retain and then propagate the United values through the squad.
His behaviour this season has been exemplary and his response to issues like being dropped after scoring a hat-trick no less have made me proud. He is now Manchester United through and through and will be key part of our strategy for at least the next 2 years.
I think he can break the 35 goal mark in the PL as well as become Europe's top goal scorer. If we can do well in the FA and CL cup too, then all sorts of record goal feats are possible.
That touch to take the ball down which he ended up sending over was amazing, better then amazing. I can't remember who passed to him but it was rising and traveling at speed, breathtaking skill.
- Status