[jb8521]

Van Nisterlooy was 24, Xavi 25, Alan Shearer 22, Del Piero 24, Jagielka 27, Arteta 27. I think Walcott had the same injury one year ago and today is his first game after the injury. Was good at the start of the match but because i was posting that i wasn't watching the game closely in last half an hour.

Baggio was 18 and again at the age of 34. This part of the wikipedia is surprised me about Baggio: "At the start of 2001–02 season, he scored eight goals in the first nine games, leading him to the top of the Serie A goalscoring table, and forming a formidable offensive partnership with Luca Toni. Unfortunately, during that season, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee twice, a serious injury which put his chances of playing at the upcoming World Cup in jeopardy. Despite this severe injury, he came back three games before the end of the season, making a record recovery of 76 days.".

Falcao was 27 nearing his 28 birthday in february (he injuried in january). So he was a little older but not to much. He will be 29 next month so time is not on his side and he must find his form back quickly.

This is also the 3rd time Falcao has torn knee ligaments

 

[Jerch]

Missed that. I know that he torn it one time before. This makes me a lot more negative about it. I wouldn't pay 30m pounds for him but i think we will do it.

 

[Hed Zitin]

Looks slow and weak in this country. No way should we buy him based on what I've seen.

 

[Boycott]

He is resembling Torres. He has received praise for his link up play (which was non-existent today) and for flashes of quality yet just like Torres he hesitates and messes up attacks in the box. I think he is fearful of getting clattered hence why he looks so slow in pursuit of balls. See, Torres at Chelsea just was too wasteful in front of goal when he had the chances, and more often or not games would pass by where he wouldn't give himself the opportunity to score because he was always behind the tempo of the game. I see this in Falcao. Torres at Chelsea ran the channels, which freed up other players but at that price you have to contribute and unfortunately for Falcao time is running up.

 

[kouroux]

Van Nisterlooy was 24, Xavi 25, Alan Shearer 22, Del Piero 24, Jagielka 27, Arteta 27. I think Walcott had the same injury one year ago and today is his first game after the injury. Was good at the start of the match but because i was posting that i wasn't watching the game closely in last half an hour.

Baggio was 18 and again at the age of 34. This part of the wikipedia is surprised me about Baggio: "At the start of 2001–02 season, he scored eight goals in the first nine games, leading him to the top of the Serie A goalscoring table, and forming a formidable offensive partnership with Luca Toni. Unfortunately, during that season, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee twice, a serious injury which put his chances of playing at the upcoming World Cup in jeopardy. Despite this severe injury, he came back three games before the end of the season, making a record recovery of 76 days.".

Falcao was 27 nearing his 28 birthday in february (he injuried in january). So he was a little older but not to much. He will be 29 next month so time is not on his side and he must find his form back quickly.

All the more reasons not to make the deal permanent IMHO.

 

[Will Singh]

Doom and fecking gloom on here today! If we let him go after the season having built his fitness up and basically rehab, how would you guys feel if the dippers buy him and he goes on to be a 25/30 goal striker?

 

[MikeUpNorth]

Doom and fecking gloom on here today! If we let him go after the season having built his fitness up and basically rehab, how would you guys feel if the dippers buy him and he goes on to be a 25/30 goal striker?

You have to back your judgement on a player not be scared that they may prove you wrong later.

 

[Will Singh]

You have to back your judgement on a player not be scared that they may prove you wrong later.

So you don't think he will return to scoring ways again? You have to remember we have been poor and we are second in the hoof ball table. Do you think it's right to judge him when his not getting the service any goal scorer needs?

 

[MikeUpNorth]

So you don't think he will return to scoring ways again? You have to remember we have been poor and we are second in the hoof ball table. Do you think it's right to judge him when his not getting the service any goal scorer needs?

To me it looks like he has completely lost the quickness of feet and touch in tight areas which allowed him to be a deadly goalscorer.

I'm sure he could still score 20 goals a season with the right service, but personally I doubt even then he would be worth close to the price he will cost.

 

[Firstouch20]

Wilson looked very sharp in the first half. Falcao... didn't.

His lack of pace was brutally exposed when Wilson played him through. Looked like he was running through treacle.

I was torn apart in this thread when I said he lacked pace when he was signed. Found it strange how the majority of cafers described him as pacy and fast.

 

[Litch]

Doom and fecking gloom on here today! If we let him go after the season having built his fitness up and basically rehab, how would you guys feel if the dippers buy him and he goes on to be a 25/30 goal striker?

I agree and that's why I'm suggesting it's already a done deal. We knew the rehab of players after such an injury would take time so as you say, why would we spend most of the season managing and even worse than that, paying for it. Don't think so. This is a done deal.....

 

[ItsEssexRob]

So you don't think he will return to scoring ways again? You have to remember we have been poor and we are second in the hoof ball table. Do you think it's right to judge him when his not getting the service any goal scorer needs?

Why is it fair on other players to constantly give big names protection? With some its always ' hes not getting the service' or ' the whole team played badly'.

The Falcao I know didnt need impeccable service, he just isnt good with his touch anymore and has lost the explosiveness. I assume LVG isnt planning to feature him next week as it seemed a bit odd having him out there today. I dont think I have ever seen him look so poor.

 

[Mickson]

It's hard to analyse the situation when he just doesen't look fit.

 

[Tarrou]

Still looks like he's struggling with the pace of games. If he was a cheap punt I'd say go for it but for the money reported, he hasn't shown enough (yet).

 

[Red_Aaron]

he got bossed today by a league one clogger, his touch was so heavy it was ridiculous

I read a lot of reports when he arrived saying the deal was already done and the loan was just a clever way around ffp for monaco but if its not already a done deal you have to think they'll be people at the club having serious second thoughts right now.

I don't doubt his finishing is still intact but at the moment he simply doesn't have the ability to get into the game and on the end of chances.
there's still plenty of time left in the season for him to come good though and I think he will

 

[Ekeke]

Doom and fecking gloom on here today! If we let him go after the season having built his fitness up and basically rehab, how would you guys feel if the dippers buy him and he goes on to be a 25/30 goal striker?

Brilliant, knowing that in another year they'll have to start thinking about replacing a player they bought for far too much money

 

[JackXX]

Not saying he played well or anything but when people say he got bossed by a league 1 defender it was because the ref let a lot go. Was at the game and was surprised how much pushing, pulling and going through the back of players was ignored. Wouldn't get away with it on a Sunday morning.
I think a Falcao can be very good for us he just needs time to play back into form after suffering a bad injury. Patience was always going to be required.

 

[Ekeke]

Not saying he played well or anything but when people say he got bossed by a league 1 defender it was because the ref let a lot go. Was at the game and was surprised how much pushing, pulling and going through the back of players was ignored. Wouldn't get away with it on a Sunday morning.
I think a Falcao can be very good for us he just needs time to play back into form after suffering a bad injury. Patience was always going to be required.

And yet Wilson thrived in the same circumstances, when usually he's the one who looks lightweight and not up to physical challenges

 

[Bubz27]

And yet Wilson thrived in the same circumstances, when usually he's the one who looks lightweight and not up to physical challenges

No he didn't.

 

[Welsh Wonder]

Watching his attempt to reach Wilson's through ball was utterly painful. It was like he was running underwater.

 

[Ekeke]

No he didn't.

Of course he did.

 

[Bubz27]

Of course he did.

That was Wilson thriving today? Running around a lot and making a couple decent touches and putting a header over the bar?

 

[JackXX]

And yet Wilson thrived in the same circumstances, when usually he's the one who looks lightweight and not up to physical challenges

Need to see the match again but I didn't see Wilson do much that I'd describe as thriving.

 

[Lawman]

I'm not sure even Pele would do well with the service we provide our strikers.

 

[sunama]

I have no idea where the FFP story came from.
Officially, it is a loan deal, he can be returned to the owner (Monaco) and that's what counts.

Only 3 weeks ago, many fans were demanding that Falcao start. LvG stated he wasnt ready. I stated he was returning from injury so dont expect 80+ minutes from him, until early January.
Well, we are now in early January. He has only just returned to playing at full power. In a league he has never played before. In a country he has never lived in.

Dont expect miracles and dont judge the player after 3 starts. He'll need at least another 15 starts before any judgement can be cast on him.
And if he doesnt deliver, I assure you, FFP or no FFP, he will be returned to the seller.
Verbal agreements count for nothing when £44M is at stake.

Oh and if you think this guy needs to be returned, who should we buy in his place? Cavanni? Ibrahimovic?

 

[Will Singh]

Why is it fair on other players to constantly give big names protection? With some its always ' hes not getting the service' or ' the whole team played badly'.

The Falcao I know didnt need impeccable service, he just isnt good with his touch anymore and has lost the explosiveness. I assume LVG isnt planning to feature him next week as it seemed a bit odd having him out there today. I dont think I have ever seen him look so poor.

It's been 10 months since his injury and to compare it to others I've read it takes around 12 months to get back to expected form. Walcott today played after 12 months so compare that to Falcao who was playing for Monoco in the summer is unreal! It's all about building him back up and it's a process that takes time.

Do you think UTD never knew that before the loan and also do you really think we should let him go after paying to get him back to his potential?

 

[TheReligion]

Heres me thinking he scored a decent little goal against Stoke!

 

[JohnDoe]

Doesn't look close to being worth the amount talked about. He's looked like an average striker since he came here.

Buy a younger striker instead.

 

[Will Singh]

To me it looks like he has completely lost the quickness of feet and touch in tight areas which allowed him to be a deadly goalscorer.

I'm sure he could still score 20 goals a season with the right service, but personally I doubt even then he would be worth close to the price he will cost.

We don't know how much he will cost as there are a few prices being reported. Ill agree he doesn't look like he was pre injury but I'm not sure his fully recovered his injury and still lacks a bit of courage.

 

[sunama]

I agree and that's why I'm suggesting it's already a done deal. We knew the rehab of players after such an injury would take time so as you say, why would we spend most of the season managing and even worse than that, paying for it. Don't think so. This is a done deal.....

From a business perspective, that would've been a terrible decision.
Would you have signed Theo Walcott in the Summer (who hadnt played any games for a few months due to the same injury)? No, of course, not.
You would wait and see how his injury pans out (just like we did with Vidal, who BTW looks like he is running in treacle, these days), before paying. Same with Strootman (LOL, we only want to buy injured players, it seems).
That's exactly what we have done here.
If E.Woodward has already signed the agreement to buy Falcao, he deserves to be shot - it would be a school boy error that even a grad student would not make.
Its a loan deal with first option to buy, at the end of the season.
If Monaco did not agree to this, we would have said "no", just like we did with Strootman and Vidal, in the Summer.

 

[Truedevil]

At this moment i would take a young, promising, pacey striker ahead of him on summer for sure. But i still believe with time and confidence he can be a beast player for us.

 

[bucky]

I have no idea where the FFP story came from.
Officially, it is a loan deal, he can be returned to the owner (Monaco) and that's what counts.

Only 3 weeks ago, many fans were demanding that Falcao start. LvG stated he wasnt ready. I stated he was returning from injury so dont expect 80+ minutes from him, until early January.
Well, we are now in early January. He has only just returned to playing at full power. In a league he has never played before. In a country he has never lived in.

Dont expect miracles and dont judge the player after 3 starts. He'll need at least another 15 starts before any judgement can be cast on him.
And if he doesnt deliver, I assure you, FFP or no FFP, he will be returned to the seller.
Verbal agreements count for nothing when £44M is at stake.

Oh and if you think this guy needs to be returned, who should we buy in his place? Cavanni? Ibrahimovic?

Lacazette. Or just play 4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1, buy wingers and erase the need of having 4 strikers.

 

[Kevin]

That was Wilson thriving today? Running around a lot and making a couple decent touches and putting a header over the bar?

Babysteps away from football nirvana.

God knows what his reaction will be when he gets a dangerous shot in for the first time this season. Will he reach a redcafe pinaccle of arousement?

 

[Litch]

From a business perspective, that would've been a terrible decision.
Would you have signed Theo Walcott in the Summer (who hadnt played any games for a few months due to the same injury)? No, of course, not.
You would wait and see how his injury pans out (just like we did with Vidal, who BTW looks like he is running in treacle, these days), before paying. Same with Strootman (LOL, we only want to buy injured players, it seems).
That's exactly what we have done here.
If E.Woodward has already signed the agreement to buy Falcao, he deserves to be shot - it would be a school boy error that even a grad student would not make.
Its a loan deal with first option to buy, at the end of the season.
If Monaco did not agree to this, we would have said "no", just like we did with Strootman and Vidal, in the Summer.

So instead we agreed to pay 250k a week for a player that was unfit and therefore couldn't fully assess whether he'd reach the heights pre injury? Might as well had bought Vidal cause this is no different really (tongue n cheek). Like I believe, we would only invest this time and effort in a player that we have already bought otherwise we are paying 8m+ wages to rehab the player back to another club....I'm convinced he's already our player. The only thing to confirm is the fee.

 

[Bubz27]

Babysteps away from football nirvana.

God knows what his reaction will be when he gets a dangerous shot in for the first time this season. Will he reach a redcafe pinaccle of arousement?

I don't want it to seem as if I'm knocking Wilson. I'm really not in the habit of slating our own players.

Just attempting to justify my claim that we seem to be on a trend of overplaying other attackers contributions and downplaying the admittedly few things Falcao has done for us. We seem to hold him to different standards right now and I don't think thats right. Some may disagree and that is their prerogative.

I just think the upside to Falcao is phenomenal and if there's a chance he can get back there, we'd be fools not to give him every chance to do so.
Without trying to sound arrogant here, we should achieve our aim of top 4 this season, whether Falcao is a starter or not. So why not give him games, chances and support and hope he hits the heights he has previously. If he doesn't, cut our losses in the summer and look elsewhere.

 

[Kevin]

I don't want it to seem as if I'm knocking Wilson. I'm really not in the habit of slating our own players.

Just attempting to justify my claim that we seem to be on a trend of overplaying other attackers contributions and downplaying the admittedly few things Falcao has done for us. We seem to hold him to different standards right now and I don't think thats right. Some may disagree and that is their prerogative.

I just think the upside to Falcao is phenomenal and if there's a chance he can get back there, we'd be fools not to give him every chance to do so.
Without trying to sound arrogant here, we should achieve our aim of top 4 this season, whether Falcao is a starter or not. So why not give him games, chances and support and hope he hits the heights he has previously. If he doesn't, cut our losses in the summer and look elsewhere.

Very much agreed.

 

[RyRoc]

Realsitcally there's about atleast 10 other strikers who you could buy for similar money that would be a lot more likely to do a better job. Still has time to prove me wrong but he looks a shadow of the outstanding player he was at Athletico.

 

[DWelbz19]

I just think the upside to Falcao is phenomenal and if there's a chance he can get back there, we'd be fools not to give him every chance to do so.
Without trying to sound arrogant here, we should achieve our aim of top 4 this season, whether Falcao is a starter or not. So why not give him games, chances and support and hope he hits the heights he has previously. If he doesn't, cut our losses in the summer and look elsewhere.

Because it isn't as simple as that. His current level isn't good enough, and with van Persie being a managers favourite and Rooney being our captain, we're forced to play a ridiculously imbalanced side to fit him in.

 

[Everest Red]

He's truly Berbatov Mk II. I like him a lot and people are being too harsh on him(like how most were Harsh on the Berb)

 

[Bubz27]

Because it isn't as simple as that. His current level isn't good enough, and with van Persie being a managers favourite and Rooney being our captain, we're forced to play a ridiculously imbalanced side to fit him in.

It might not be a popular choice but Falcao's upside > RvP's upside for me. He should be starting ahead of RvP imo.

As for an imbalanced side, that's a problem LVG has brought on himself. Its his job to find a system that suits the personnel he has brought in.