Gattuso or Baraja?

Mr. Wood

Circle Jerkin' Wannabe
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If you had to take one of the two, who would you pick?

I haven't seen much from Baraja - Can anyone tell me his style and how the two match up?
 
Baraja's an engine.

Gattuso's a pure defensive midfielder.. (great passion..and good tackling ability...but can't pass or run with the ball...) He's not good enough for us... where as Baraja is.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>He's not good enough for us... where as Baraja is.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Baraja is a fine player. What age is he?

I wouldnt agree with the last part of your post though Giggzy. Gattuso has just won the european cup in a match in which he was probably man of the match in. He litterally was all over the pitch. There is room IMO for that kind of midfielder in our team, especially with Keane starting to wind down. Most of the better European sides these days have one who will sit and protect the back 4 and others who do the attacking. We dont particularly need the box to box type of player anymore. Gattuso would be fine sitting in there, with scholes, veron etc doing the attacking work.

That being said, IF fergie was looking at a new midfielder, id be happy with Gattuso, Baraja or Davids. They are all good players in their own right. I just like the talk that Gattuso has been coming out with recently, saying that he'd love to play for us.
 
27 I think...

GB. Davids, Vieira, Baraja and keano are Box2Box... Gattuso's not. I've seen Phil and Quinton do a similar job for United... TBH I think Fortune could develop into a good CM..coz he can pass the ball aswell.

I agree Gattuso played with a lot of spirit...but thats not enough.... If you ask me....I think Davids was easily the best player on the park.. not only can he tackle..but he can dribble pass players.....he's also not bad at passing and creating. He's in a different league to Gattusso.....actually he's a different type of player. Only Vieira, Davids or Baraja could replace Roy.ATM.
 
Roy can't dribble past players any more than Gattuso can. Davids is, by far, the best in that department.

And equating Phil and Fortune with Gattuso is a slight insult to the little Italian. He is far better than either of the two previously mentioned.

The truth of the matter is that getting either a box-to-box player or a Defensive Midfield specialist entirely depends on the style of football United want to play.
 
Originally posted by mathiaslg:
<strong>Roy can't dribble past players any more than Gattuso can. Davids is, by far, the best in that department.


.</strong><hr></blockquote>

nor can Vieira.... but thats not the point.

He's not the same type of player.

He's OK...if you like players who play with passion and can tackle and nowt else.
 
Gattuso can play wide right so could cover Beckham as well so I can the logic behind him being linked to us. He's a bit like Makelele in a way since he covers so much ground you can afford 3 playmakers + him in a 4 man midfield (Pirlo, Rui Costa & Seedorf). Baraja, however, is different class. Powerful player, gets goals, important goals as well, Probably 10+ a season. Would love to see him at utd, can't see it happening though. Both players have recently stated a desire to play for united, which I cynically view as a way of getting improved contracts
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>

nor can Vieira.... but thats not the point.

He's not the same type of player.

He's OK...if you like players who play with passion and can tackle and nowt else.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Eh? Vieria is reknowned for his driving runs through midfield.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>

Like keane..

He doesn't have Davids' dribbling skills.</strong><hr></blockquote>

No, not like Keane at all. Vieria regularly beats 2 and sometimes 3 players. How many times have you seen him just flick it over the head of a player and charge upfield? Very often is the answer. He can dribble and does it well.
 
I'm slightly surprised with all these links to defensive CM (Makelele, Gattuso, Baraja, Xabi Alonso, Djemba Djemba). This is one position I don't really see utd having a problem with. I realise we need to find a long term Keane replacement, but I think he's still a presence in the middle of the park. Spare a thought for Nicky Butt. A year ago, on the back of the world cup I thought he would cement a regular spot in united's midfield, only to be hampered by injury. Similar to Fortune, who broke a leg after finally getting a run in the first team. Coupled with the possibilty of Fletcher breaking through next season, I think our transfer targets should lie in different positions
 
Originally posted by JSV:
<strong>

No, not like Keane at all. Vieria regularly beats 2 and sometimes 3 players. How many times have you seen him just flick it over the head of a player and charge upfield? Very often is the answer. He can dribble and does it well.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agree. To see Vieira charge upfield is a majestic sight.
 
Originally posted by JSV:
<strong>

No, not like Keane at all. Vieria regularly beats 2 and sometimes 3 players. How many times have you seen him just flick it over the head of a player and charge upfield? Very often is the answer. He can dribble and does it well.</strong><hr></blockquote>


He can drive through a midfield... yes. but he's not got Davids' dribbling skills. I think Davids could beat most players in a one on one. I don't think Vieira could... Edgar Davids has got more skill than people give him credit for.. amazing player.

Having said that...I think Vieira would be a perfect replacement for Keane.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>


He can drive through a midfield... yes. but he's not got Davids' dribbling skills. I think Davids could beat most players in a one on one. I don't think Vieira could... Edgar Davids has got more skill than people give him credit for.. amazing player.

Having said that...I think Vieira would be prefect replacement for Keane.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Drive upfield (surely that involves alot of dribbling?), dribble upfield etc. They all have the same purpose. I'm not saying Davids isn't a brilliant dribbler or anything, but drawing a comparison from that between Gattuso and Vieria in that area doesn't hold.
 
at one time i would have loved to have seen Davids play for United alongside Keane. That would have been an awesome partnership. That dream has probably died though. Davids is class though & i dont see Juve letting him go too soon.

The point i was trying to make was the one Math made. Baraja and Davids are box to box but if United want to change the way they play then there is not many better at 'sitting' than Gattuso.

Dont get me wrong, i love Phil, Fortune and to a lesser extent Butt, but if we're going to improve, we have to buy players that are better than what we already have. I think Baraja, Gattuso and Davids fall into that category.

btw this is all speculation off course. Fergie prob isnt even after another midfielder (unless becks goes)
 
Originally posted by JSV:
<strong>

Drive upfield (surely that involves alot of dribbling?), dribble upfield etc. They all have the same purpose. I'm not saying Davids isn't a brilliant dribbler or anything, but drawing a comparison from that between Gattuso and Vieria in that area doesn't hold.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Never compared them.... Vieira's a magnificent box2box player... Gattuso's a tough tackling defensive midfielder..who doesn't have Vieira's ability to drive box to box.

Vieira's reminds me of Robson.. Robbo used to play quick one two's...had great passing skills and most importantly great passion and drive, to get through the midfield.

btw- Watch Davids closely next time..and you'll see what I mean... I've seen him do some awesome freestyle stuff.... stuff that Ryan Giggs would be envious of.
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>

Never compared them.... Vieira's a magnificent box2box player... Gattuso's a tough tackling defensive midfielder..who doesn't have Vieira's ability to drive box to box.

Vieira's reminds me of abit of Robson.. Robbo used to play quick one two's...had great passing skills and most importantly great passion and drive.....to get through the midfield.

btw- Watch Davids closely next time..and you'll see what I mean... I've seen him do some awesome freestyle stuff.... stuff that Ryan Giggs would be envious of.</strong><hr></blockquote>

You said they had similar dribbling skills. i.e. Gattuso --&gt; Keano --&gt; Vieria. My point is that was stretching it.
 
Originally posted by golden_blunder:
<strong>at one time i would have loved to have seen Davids play for United alongside Keane. That would have been an awesome partnership. That dream has probably died though. Davids is class though & i dont see Juve letting him go too soon.

The point i was trying to make was the one Math made. Baraja and Davids are box to box but if United want to change the way they play then there is not many better at 'sitting' than Gattuso.

Dont get me wrong, i love Phil, Fortune and to a lesser extent Butt, but if we're going to improve, we have to buy players that are better than what we already have. I think Baraja, Gattuso and Davids fall into that category.

btw this is all speculation off course. Fergie prob isnt even after another midfielder (unless becks goes)</strong><hr></blockquote>

Gatusso could work with Veron... I agree with u on that one(sure u mentioned it earlier)

..and I wanted us to get Davids a few years ago aswell.
 
Originally posted by JSV:
<strong>

You said they had similar dribbling skills. i.e. Gattuso --&gt; Keano --&gt; Vieria. My point is that was stretching it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

yeah he's better than Gattuso in that department. no doubt.(my mistake to compare them in that area)
 
Baraja punto, the only player in the world that can fill Keano's old role!

Class, class, class!

feck Ronaldinho, stick Keano in as a centre half, get Baraja, and we will be sweet! :D

Obviously with the adition of either Quaresma or Denilson. :D
 
I don't see Italian football on a regular basis, but from what I saw in Milan's recent Champions League matches, I got the impression that Gattuso is a box-to-box midfielder. He was everywhere! To put it lightly, I've been impressed.

For example, in extra time in the final, a Milan corner kick was cleared and passed back a few times until it came to Buffon. Gatusso chased it at a sprint the whole way. This was around the 110th minute, in a game in which he'd been working extremely hard throughout. He still SPRINTED the length of the pitch. That's the kind of player we need at United. It would allow us to push Keane back to the center of defence where he is needed. But as I've already said - for all I know, Baraja might be better. :p
 
Baraja punto, there is no better box-to-box midfielder in the world.

IMO of course.
 
Gattuso's a bundle of energy & a very good defensive midfielder but a more complete player is Davids - would have loved to see him turn out for us!
 
Gatusso has the one things thet others don't. Like Keane he plays like his possessed with a legion of demons or something. Keane becasue of shear will power and drive gets every where and is involved in everything even though he is not the best dribbler, shooter or passer in the world. The shear force of his presence makes him the best in the World. for me Gatusso has that shear force of presence plus he is young.Give him 2 years alongside Becks, Giggs, eron and Ronaldinho and see what he would be come. besides he is a good crosser of the ball.
 
Baraja is the better player, but I'd rather we signed Gattuso.

Baraja is bound to be linked with Real every 2nd week if we ever sign him and Gattuso also speaks better English.
 
Originally posted by dcrompton:
<strong>I'm slightly surprised with all these links to defensive CM (Makelele, Gattuso, Baraja, Xabi Alonso, Djemba Djemba). This is one position I don't really see utd having a problem with. I realise we need to find a long term Keane replacement, but I think he's still a presence in the middle of the park. Spare a thought for Nicky Butt. A year ago, on the back of the world cup I thought he would cement a regular spot in united's midfield, only to be hampered by injury. Similar to Fortune, who broke a leg after finally getting a run in the first team. Coupled with the possibilty of Fletcher breaking through next season, I think our transfer targets should lie in different positions</strong><hr></blockquote>

Honestly I also can't see we sign another player to replace Keano this summer. However this is a transfer forum so people can talk about any player they want to see in Old Trafford, no matter whether it is going to be happen or not.
 
I confess I don’t know much about Baraja but I will write why I choose the Italian stallion over the Spanish guy

1) Spanish players had rarely made an impact once going out of the Liga. From experienced and supposed “confirmed” talents like Mendieta, Guardiola, Jose Mari and Ferrer to young “wonder boys” like Farinos and De La Pena, the Spanish players had rarely made a name out of their country. That’s should be considered as a warning for anyone who is ready to spend millions for a Spanish international

2) Baraja may be good but he’s 27 years old. Our midfield is already getting “old” with an average age of 29 years. I think that we should bring a younger player who will reaches his peak once Keano retires

3) Gattuso had already played (well) in the British football while he knows perfectly the English language. Rino already knows what to expect (Climate and mentality) and having a Scottish girlfriend will also help him to settle down quickly in Manchester

Many critise Gattuso, but only Keano can play with the same passion and agressivity of the Italian international. He is a brilliant defensive midfielder and a wonderful marker making him one of the best defensive midfielders around. Bringing him now would be wonderful because he will learn from the world's best (Keano)
 
Originally posted by kkcbl:
<strong>

Gennaro Gattuso Ht:1.77 Wt:77 Age:25</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks. His appearance looks older than his actual age ;)
 
I like the guy, plays with a passion, to be far to Davids he has a touch more flair. Either way i`d like to see one of them here next season.
P.S Fortune will come good i`m sure.
 
Originally posted by Waz:
<strong>I like the guy, plays with a passion, to be far to Davids he has a touch more flair. Either way i`d like to see one of them here next season.
P.S Fortune will come good i`m sure.</strong><hr></blockquote>

The main thing Fortune has to improve on is his strength on the ball & in tackle if he wants to make the grade in his new role as a holding midfielder - he has the skill, intelligence & a decent build already so it's a question of filling up at the right places!
 
Originally posted by kkcbl:
<strong>

The main thing Fortune has to improve on is his strength on the ball & in tackle if he wants to make the grade in his new role as a holding midfielder - he has the skill, intelligence & a decent build already so it's a question of filling up at the right places!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agree. He not only can be our holding midfielder, he can even be our box-to-box player if he can remain injury free and continue to progress. Compare with Butt and Neville, Fortune is more comfortable with the ball and has a much better vision to help the attack, as he is an attacking player originally.
 
Gattuso for me....I just feel he would fit in better than Baraja. otherwise not much to choose between them. He is still remebered with something akin to reverence here by Rangers supporters.
 
Fortune can be a god squad member. But with Keano heading to the 32 years old I think its wiser to groom his long term successor right from now (who is the best teacher if not the Irish leader). Gattuso
Has the skill to replace on the long run Keano, something no one at OT has
 
With our midfield and attack - Ruud, Becks, Giggs, Scholes, Solksjaer. Do we really need a box-to-box player? A player who just holds the midfield, and wins the ball might be better.

I think this is the problem for England, Gerrard is being used as box-to-box, and so Scholes can't go forward as much. Whereas when Butt protects the defense, it lets the rest of the midfield to go forward.
 
While I agree with you that Fortune and co can have great matches in their good days. I seriously doubt that Phil, Fortune and Butt has the “overall” talent to succeed Keano on the long run. The fact that we have several world class attacking minded players shows the need of having a world class defensive midfielder, always there to cover their back and let them express their full talent. That’s why in the near future we will need to invest on a classy defensive midfielder.
 
Originally posted by devilish:
<strong> Gattuso Has the skill to replace on the long run Keano, something no one at OT has</strong><hr></blockquote>

Er, O'Shea? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">