Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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Thought he was great second half. Still got crazy high hopes for him ... provided he can stay fit
Good shift from him today
Class performance. Wasn't tested much, but he was very assured defensively, and attacking wise he's always a handful.
Good to see him starting to cement his place in the starting XI
Good start to the season for him - seems to have really matured during the Olympics. No yellow card as of yet 
I just hope he can remain fit for the next few weeks - we basically have no cover for right back at the moment, so I hope he'll have a good rest once Smalling/Jones returns to fitness. Only had a week or two off since the Olympics after all.
I just hope he can remain fit for the next few weeks - we basically have no cover for right back at the moment, so I hope he'll have a good rest once Smalling/Jones returns to fitness. Only had a week or two off since the Olympics after all.
Had 4 successfull tackles (most after Welbeck with 5) and lead the team again in touches with 75.
Excellent with the ball yet again and very solid defensively. Yes I know it was Wigan but progress is being made in terms of defensive positioning and concentration.
For all of you who like stats, Rafael is a beast in terms of passing, tackling, touches, and crossing.
Well on his way to being one of the best in the world.
Excellent with the ball yet again and very solid defensively. Yes I know it was Wigan but progress is being made in terms of defensive positioning and concentration.
For all of you who like stats, Rafael is a beast in terms of passing, tackling, touches, and crossing.
Well on his way to being one of the best in the world.
This is a very interesting stat that i noticed some time ago. Its amazing how much of our play actually goes through Rafael. He'll have some sort of involvement in most of our attacks, and he seems to always find space to receive a pass. He'll very often be the player with the most touches after Scholes and Carrick
Very understated performance from him tonight
2 great performances in a row now. No bullshitting defensively, good going forward. Great player.
Best player on the pitch imo. Did both sides of his job brilliantly.
Maybe we should let him take penalties.
Maybe we should let him take penalties.
He stayed back a lot more than normal, probably had something to do with it.
Did well tonight, great run for the Penalty and some great link up again. Defensively got caught out a bit but that was because we turned over the ball in the middle of the park a few times more than normal.
Scared the shit out of me with that soft back pass that De Gea had to run out and kick away with an attacker looming around the box. Good other than that.
good performance, definitely one of the best players on the pitch today.
Has started the season superbly, quality player.
Without sounding like a cnut. The injuries to Smalling and Jones have helped him to a certain extent. We always knew that he needs a run of games and now that he's getting it, he looks very good. Been very impressive over the last two games especially defensively.
Gala didn't get a look in from his side today.
Gala didn't get a look in from his side today.
He is getting better an better
very true. Most of us knew that if rafael got a run of games he would lock down the positions. Luckily for him that chance has come early in the season. It will be really interesting to see what happens when smalling and jones are both fit again. Personally I'd still stick with rafael at RB. Going forward he is just better than the others and bar switching off at times he is also good defensively. Haven't really seen him switch of to recently either from memory.
Loving Rafael's play recently. Obviously there will still be some mistakes along the way, but he's progressing nicely, and it seems that our defense is finaly starting to get more solid.
And I don't think I even need to mention his link-up with Valencia, definitely our #1 RB choice. Hope he keeps improving and becomes even more solid in defense, he's more than okay in the attacking sense already.
And I don't think I even need to mention his link-up with Valencia, definitely our #1 RB choice. Hope he keeps improving and becomes even more solid in defense, he's more than okay in the attacking sense already.
Good thing is he played four 90-minute games, no twinjury yet.
Hope he continues and obviousy gets even better.
Hope he continues and obviousy gets even better.
Thought he was close to MOTM last night
Good in attack and defence, and didn't put a foot wrong all night, noone got the better of him and he won a penalty
Good in attack and defence, and didn't put a foot wrong all night, noone got the better of him and he won a penalty
The only time i would use smalling over rafa at right back is when we are playing the likes of everton / stoke. We need that bit of extra height when dealing with the lumpy bastards.
Raf has made 2 penalties in 2 games recently aswell. His close dribbling in the box and his acceleration are very hard to defend. cracking player
Raf has made 2 penalties in 2 games recently aswell. His close dribbling in the box and his acceleration are very hard to defend. cracking player
Looking the part. Not before time either.
hmmm... I'm just wondering, if Barca were to play Stoke tomorrow, would they also employ similar tactics?
He's just turned 22 ffs.
IMO he's looked the part for quite a while too, only injuries have hampered him.
No ffs about it. I'm a big fan but it's not only injuries that have hampered him. He's been around the first team for a long time and his flaws have been as obvious as his many qualities from the off. His positioning and decision making have shown a marked improvement this season. An extended run in the first team obviously helping. I was complimenting him.
Ffs.
So, thoughts on him eventually leaving for Barca or Real?
They'll soon enough be sniffing around if he continues to improve.
They'll soon enough be sniffing around if he continues to improve.
Once again, just turned 22. So why on Earth the "not before time" comment?
Should he be the best right back in the World at 20-21? He's one of the best full backs I've personally ever seen at his age.
ffs.
Two fantastic performances in a row...so cue Valencia at right back at Anfield on Sunday then.
He's starting to resemble what Evra used to be like during the 06/07 season.
A beast going forward and while you'll think he'll get exposed at the back, he rarely does since the opposition winger is too busy defending instead.
A beast going forward and while you'll think he'll get exposed at the back, he rarely does since the opposition winger is too busy defending instead.
TBF though most of Barca's defensive options are taller than Rafael.
I have several other posts in this thread, all positive. It's over 4 years since he made his debut. Irrespective of injuries, it's time he started cutting out some of the callow mistakes he has been guilty of in the past. He has. I'm happy. That's all.
His only problems are basically his injury record and his bad habit of not paying attention sometimes when he gets over confident which leads to him slacking off and making mistakes.
It's why he tends to perform better against the better wingers he's been up against and making stupid errors against the smaller teams.
It's why he tends to perform better against the better wingers he's been up against and making stupid errors against the smaller teams.
Sensational performance from Rafael
7 tackles
2 interceptions
4 effective clearances
1 beautiful goals
0 Defensive mistakes
Lads a genius.
7 tackles
2 interceptions
4 effective clearances
1 beautiful goals
0 Defensive mistakes
Lads a genius.
Played great today, him and Rio MOTMs.
I recall him getting skinned once by Johnson but otherwise he was superb. Some crucial interceptions and a magnificent goal.
His goal was top draw, inch perfect and I'm happy for him. Hope he's not injured, he's looking a lot better compared to Evra, hope this continues and hope Fabio gets better at QPR too.
Lovely goal today and a decent performance all-round.
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