[Alock1]

I don't think he fits our style that well. I don't think he's another Torres, but I don't think we'll see him hit his Atletico form again. He's better than what we have at the moment (excluding Sturridge), certainly, but if we're going to spend a big transfer fee and huge wages for a striker it should be one who fits us down to the ground and is preferably a bit younger. If it was him or no one, obviously I would take him, but in an ideal world we go and sign someone else.

Oh yeah, I don't think there's been enough to satisfy the wanted fee for him. But with how the league is going this year, I think if you had him you'd have significantly improved your chances of top 4 considering the current state of the competition (us, Arsenal, Spurs).

He lays the ball off quickly, he plays off the last man, constantly runs in behind and he works his bollocks off. He's not as tenacious or quick as Suarez but he shares a lot of similar qualities. So why wouldn't he fit your style?

 

[DWelbz19]

Strange, I'm sure his name was a big stick to beat us with not so long ago. Must revisit LFC thread.

Oh, he still is. You can't attract big names but he has been pretty fecking shite.

 

[mufcwarm92]

Really happy with the positions he got himself in against QPR. Hard to think of a better pair of games for him to smash a couple of goals in than Cambridge and Leicester.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

He was in Garth Crooks' team of the week?

I missed the game, but from some of the comments on here, that surprises me

 

[Barney]

Oh yeah, I don't think there's been enough to satisfy the wanted fee for him. But with how the league is going this year, I think if you had him you'd have significantly improved your chances of top 4 considering the current state of the competition (us, Arsenal, Spurs).

We'd be higher up the table if we had any fit, half-decent striker though. Balotelli has the talent, but his finishing has been abysmal, Borini doesn't have the talent and his finishing hasn't been good and who knows what is happening with Lambert.

 

[Chicharito_]

He was in Garth Crooks' team of the week?

I missed the game, but from some of the comments on here, that surprises me

Laughable from Crooks, surely Gayle deserved the spot over Falcao?!

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Laughable from Crooks, surely Gayle deserved the spot over Falcao?!

He was also in the team I believe.

Edit: Nope, I'm wrong.

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

I thought he played pretty well on Saturday. Didn't score but his movement was very sharp. On another day he would have had a hat trick.

 

[11101]

He was in Garth Crooks' team of the week?

I missed the game, but from some of the comments on here, that surprises me

He got himself into more goalscoring positions in one game than RVP has in months, and crucially between ADM and Mata we're starting to pick out his movement. Rob Green just had a blinder. On another day Falcao scores 2 or 3 of those chances.

 

[matherto]

Here's hoping we play people behind him that can pick him out against Cambridge. Barring a typical shite keeper having a worldie against him (Hello Rob Green) performance he might get a hattrick.

 

[Dion]

Schevchenko was arguably the best striker in the world at his peak. I take it you don't mean what you said as a compliment though.

So was Falcao. And you'd be right, moving to England past your best is never a smart move.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Still got the feeling he's finished as a top-level striker.

 

[Nighteyes]

He got himself into more goalscoring positions in one game than RVP has in months, and crucially between ADM and Mata we're starting to pick out his movement. Rob Green just had a blinder. On another day Falcao scores 2 or 3 of those chances.

That's just plain nonsense.

 

[Cassidy]

Bar his finishing I thought he had a good game, led the line relatively well, but still expect more in future games.

 

[RedFish]

So was Falcao. And you'd be right, moving to England past your best is never a smart move.

Still got the feeling he's finished as a top-level striker.

Time will tell, I hope you're wrong but he's done nothing yet to prove that he's not past it. Could we not look to loan him another season, although he'd likely want to secure a multi year deal etc.

 

[Roosney]

I thought he played pretty well on Saturday. Didn't score but his movement was very sharp. On another day he would have had a hat trick.

Yes, he was very unlucky on Saturday. I'm sure he was sure he was going to score but the QPR defenders managed a slightest touch on the passes and so the ball deflected just out of Radamels reach.

 

[Tim Henman]

I don't think he played badly but he should have scored a few. It wasn't bad luck, it was poor finishing (by his supposed standards at least). This "Rob Green had a blinder" stuff is nonsense for me because Falcao hit a couple of them right at him. The one bit of bad luck he had was that awesome touch by the defender on the ball across goal from Wilson. On a positive note, he is looking less clumsy and it is clear he is willing to do anything to succeed here. Hope he is in the team for the next few weeks.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I thought he played well. Probably his best performance yet. Obviously needs more games to get this "match rhythm" we keep hearing about. In a perverse way, I'm kind of pleased that Van Persie's injury is forcing Van Gaal to give him more of an audition than he's had so far.

 

[MoskvaRed]

I don't think he played badly but he should have scored a few. It wasn't bad luck, it was poor finishing (by his supposed standards at least). This "Rob Green had a blinder" stuff is nonsense for me because Falcao hit a couple of them right at him. The one bit of bad luck he had was that awesome touch by the defender on the ball across goal from Wilson. On a positive note, he is looking less clumsy and it is clear he is willing to do anything to succeed here. Hope he is in the team for the next few weeks.

I agree - Rob Green played well but you would expect a premier league GK to make those saves. I'd give Falcao a few more starts but the clock is really ticking for him. If you were to put money on whether United will exercise that option, you would definitely back against right now.

 

[Roosney]

I don't think he played badly but he should have scored a few. It wasn't bad luck, it was poor finishing (by his supposed standards at least). This "Rob Green had a blinder" stuff is nonsense for me because Falcao hit a couple of them right at him. The one bit of bad luck he had was that awesome touch by the defender on the ball across goal from Wilson. On a positive note, he is looking less clumsy and it is clear he is willing to do anything to succeed here. Hope he is in the team for the next few weeks.

There was another one as well, could've been a cross I think, he was going in for the header but again a slight deflection by a defender.

 

[Brophs]

I've never really gotten this whole "He's getting into the positions to miss chances, so there's nothing to worry about" thing but I suspect that might be a discussion for another thread.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I've never really gotten this whole "He's getting into the positions to miss chances, so there's nothing to worry about" thing but I suspect that might be a discussion for another thread.

This thread is as good as any to discuss it?

It's the Andy Cole factor. He used to get all sorts of stick for being wasteful but ended up with a great goal-scoring record. Using clever movement to create space for a crack at goal is half the job. If any striker can do that regularly, then he's going to be a threat. Moving back to Falcao, the big concerns are about the injury making him less mobile. If he's getting loads of chances then it would ease those concerns, even if he's not making the most of them. The finishing should come, as it's something he's proven himself good at in the past.

The big caveat here is that drawing any conclusions from one game against crappy opposition is a bit silly.

 

[JUPITER]

It's true that getting into goal scoring positions is a good sign. But for me the standard of opposition has to be taken into consideration.

Whenever Falcao's been up against more capable defences he just gets muscled off the ball so easily and is so incredibly slow.

He looks a bit fragile, like he knows he's damaged goods or something.

I dunno, I'm not convinced he's cut out for the PL in all honesty - just feels like he's turned up here a few years too late.

 

[MoskvaRed]

It's true that getting into goal scoring positions is a good sign. But for me the standard of opposition has to be taken into consideration.

Whenever Falcao's been up against more capable defences he just gets muscled off the ball so easily and is so incredibly slow.

He looks a bit fragile, like he knows he's damaged goods or something.

I dunno, I'm not convinced he's cut out for the PL in all honesty - just feels like he's turned up here a few years too late.

That's my impression too (although the original post did acknowledge you can't judge too much from a game against QPR).

 

[kps88]

It's true that getting into goal scoring positions is a good sign. But for me the standard of opposition has to be taken into consideration.

Whenever Falcao's been up against more capable defences he just gets muscled off the ball so easily and is so incredibly slow.

He looks a bit fragile, like he knows he's damaged goods or something.

I dunno, I'm not convinced he's cut out for the PL in all honesty - just feels like he's turned up here a few years too late.

Feel the same. His movement off the ball is good, but he still doesn't look right on the ball for me.

 

[Ixion]

This thread is as good as any to discuss it?

It's the Andy Cole factor. He used to get all sorts of stick for being wasteful but ended up with a great goal-scoring record. Using clever movement to create space for a crack at goal is half the job. If any striker can do that regularly, then he's going to be a threat.

I remember Solskjaer saying about Cole : "His pace and movement are unbelieveable. To be able to create so many chances is something I envy"

 

[Sir A1ex]

I've never really gotten this whole "He's getting into the positions to miss chances, so there's nothing to worry about" thing but I suspect that might be a discussion for another thread.

It's quite straight-forward...

The "getting into positions" - ie making the right runs at the right time etc - is the tricky part. It's what sets a top goal-scorer apart from lesser players.
The bit where you actually stick your foot out and put it into the net is relatively simple, anybody can do it. Well actually, anybody can do it isn't true, some players just don't have the composure / killer instinct to finish the job off, having done the hard part. But in the case in point, we know this isn't the case, Falcao knows how to stick the ball in the net.

The worry with Falcao in his current situation would be that he his injuries and the nature of the English game have robbed him of that ability to get in behind defences etc. He's not totally disproved this worry yet, but performances like Saturday's go a long way towards doing so.
There's no reason that playing in a new league, or a potential lack of physical condition would rob him of the ability to finish, though like any player there will always be days when they go in and days when they don't.
If he keeps playing like he did on Saturday (though hopefully with a bit more regular supply than he got) he'll get plenty of goals.

 

[oncehorowitz]

It's purely a confidence thing right now. On another day he would have buried a hat-trick.

Good volley saved by Green.
Good header saved by Green.
Tap in deflected away from him 4 yards before it reaches him.

That's 3 great opportunities he created for himself by intelligent movement and his finishing wasn't quite there.

Now his pace coming back after this injury, I'd worry about. His acceleration over 5 yards to create space would worry me. His strength holding up the ball putting pressure on his knee. His stamina.

But if he's getting into positions and creating chances for himself like those then you don't have to worry about those things, it's his finishing that isn't quite on point right now and that's not something I would expect anyone to lose because of an injury.

He's just got zero confidence in himself right now and if he can just do something to get that back I think he can be a goal machine again. Instead of thinking too much as the ball is coming at him he'll have a confident positive mind and start striking it right again.

This is spot on Pexbo.
For me the main difference in the QPR game is, we were actually creating chances. We even had shots on target! Instead of passing the ball in and passing it back out again, this time we actually have someone willing to sneak in behind the defenders. And yes, we do have players like Mata or Di Maria who can spot those runs and pin point their passes.

Please play 442 diamond against Cambridge and please start both Falcao and Wilson. It's exciting to see what they can do together.

 

[11101]

That's just plain nonsense.

I'll admit i said that off the cuff, but its turns out its actually not nonsense. In his last 5 games RVP has had 3 shots on target and 1 goal. Falcao had 3 shots on target on Saturday. RVP has been terrible since the Liverpool game.

 

[bugmat]

I'll admit i said that off the cuff, but its turns out its actually not nonsense. In his last 5 games RVP has had 3 shots on target and 1 goal. Falcao had 3 shots on target on Saturday. RVP has been terrible since the Liverpool game.

He was terrible the first 3 months and the last one RvP had about 5 good weeks. I am more worried about him than Falcao given his age.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

I'll admit i said that off the cuff, but its turns out its actually not nonsense. In his last 5 games RVP has had 3 shots on target and 1 goal. Falcao had 3 shots on target on Saturday. RVP has been terrible since the Liverpool game.

Pretty sure RvP would have buried 2/3 chances Falcao had yesterday in his sleep.

 

[matherto]

Pretty sure RvP would have buried 2/3 chances Falcao had yesterday in his sleep.

They were easy chances. RVP misses the easy ones regularly. It's the tough ones he puts away, like Saha (only better).

 

[11101]

Pretty sure RvP would have buried 2/3 chances Falcao had yesterday in his sleep.

Maybe he would have, but it doesnt matter when hes not getting into those positions in the first place.

 

[NinjaZombie]

His performances have been very Welbeck-esque tbh!

Now that you've mentioned it!

 

[Pexbo]

Watching Suarez at Barca and I can't help but think they're in a similar situation.


Coming to a new team, in a new league after a hefty layoff with huge pressures of huge expectations hanging over their heads and they're just not natural in front of goal just yet. You can't say they're not getting into great positions which is half the battle for a striker, their touch can be a little heavy at times but they are working hard on the field all the same.

I think it's a similar scenario for them both personally. Suarez has obviously got a couple of years on him and no injury history but then he did cost twice as much as Falcao will.

 

[bm_5]

Following this thread and the Mata one at the same time is fascinating. Mata has no visible impact for several games in a row, misses incredible chances even with consistent time on the pitch and yet a ton of people are still on his side, claim he's absolute class and say he was the best player in the Premier League just a couple of seasons ago.

Falcao gets substituted almost every game, is left out of the squad, watches Wilson play over him and when he misses a couple of good chances in a game we won everyone says he's shite, old, finished and reminds them of the Torres fall from grace. A little ridiculous to be honest.

 

[Varun]

Pretty sure RvP would have buried 2/3 chances Falcao had yesterday in his sleep.

RVP isnt really a striker who I'd associate with burying easy chances all the time. He misses easy ones even when on top form.

 

[Cassidy]

They were easy chances. RVP misses the easy ones regularly. It's the tough ones he puts away, like Saha (only better).

Yes the same RVP thats been missing easy chances this season

 

[ItsEssexRob]

And yet I think the opposite, and that it would have suited both you and him. Fits your style more than ours, he'd have mostly played up top alone (thanks to Sturridge injury) and wouldn't have been anywhere near as in/out of the team.

I appreciate he hasn't done great, and maybe he's another Torres and he's done now. I don't think so though. Not the best striker in the world, but good enough for Liverpool? Every day of the week.

Couldnt be worse than Balotelli anyway!

 

[Roboc7]

Watching Suarez at Barca and I can't help but think they're in a similar situation.


Coming to a new team, in a new league after a hefty layoff with huge pressures of huge expectations hanging over their heads and they're just not natural in front of goal just yet. You can't say they're not getting into great positions which is half the battle for a striker, their touch can be a little heavy at times but they are working hard on the field all the same.

I think it's a similar scenario for them both personally. Suarez has obviously got a couple of years on him and no injury history but then he did cost twice as much as Falcao will.

Suarez is suffering from not being the main man at Barca, he is used to being the focal point but obviously that isn’t going to happen at his new club. Falcao is struggling physically as well as with his form, it’s shocking how much slower he is, how much or if he will ever get that back is up for debate and he has a lot to prove in a short space of time.

If we do decide to keep him we could have a problem, Mendes and Monaco are only going to get £40 odd million for him by insisting we buy him for the agreed fee, no other club will touch him for anything close to that and I think they would make it very difficult for us to sign him for anything less. Big game for him tonight, if he starts he needs to score otherwise he probably loses his place and with games running out each one he misses is a blow to his chances of staying.