Captain material in a few years.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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Need to be careful we don't burn him out. He's been playing almost non stop from the Olympics onwards.
Smalling and Jones are nearing fitness(Smalling might even make the bench this weekend) - Rafael will get rotated out of the lineup soon enough.
There's no reason to suggest Rafael won't remain first choice for the season, if he stays fit. He's probably been our most consistently good player so far (along with maybe RVP).
Let's wait and see how long they can stay fit though. Especially Smalling looks incredibly injury prone.
He's been brilliant recently, shame he will never be half a player that Kyle Walker is because Glaston has said so.
After being one of his biggest critics I'm starting to see his class now. He's in tremendous form, and seems to be loving his football. Watching him bomb forward is great to watch. If we can get Fabio back in similar form they could well be our first choice full backs for the next 10 years
Are we sure we didnt sneak Fabio on for Raf at HT (nice free sub!) ???
Are we sure we didnt sneak Fabio on for Raf at HT (nice free sub!) ???
Would still prefer a natural left footer at LB rather than Fabio. Rather have the Da Silva's battle it out for the RB position.
I don't see the issue with that. Lots of top left backs nowadays are right footed. It's becoming a trend due to the fact that wingers no longer seem to be wingers.
Gary Neville mentioned in his book that his laying claim on the RB position earlier than his younger brother affected Phil's development. Phil was used in a variety of positions, but he was never able to make one position his own in the way his brother did.
I wonder if that experience with the Neville brothers has led to the decision to loan Fabio out where he can develop independently of his brother and the indefatigable Evra.
I wonder if that experience with the Neville brothers has led to the decision to loan Fabio out where he can develop independently of his brother and the indefatigable Evra.
It would add more balance to our play to have a left footed left back given we don't have a left footed left winger/wide player.
True, I think I'd prefer a left footed winger though, we've lacked one for a while.
Gareth Messi here we come.
Yeah, both Young and Nani always cut in, would be good to have a left footer who can take advantage of the space on the outside.
Very interesting possibility.
Im no expert, but with Gary being the eldest I would think Phil would have always been in the shadows of Gary who was developing and learning himself, whilst Phil was simply matching.
Isnt Fabio supposed to be better than Rafael when they first joined?
Yep, was supposed to be the better player. He actually played as a LB to ensure Rafael got into the team at RB at their previous club iirc.
Judging by our defense every single one of them is amazingly injury prone, well apart from Evra that is, he somehow never gets injured.
Phil was considered better than Gary by many too early on.
He is looking very good and seems to have taken out the impulsive streak to dive in on players. He is putting in some very dangerous crosses and his overlapping play with Valencia paying dividends.
Jones as future captain was the most knee jerk reaction ever on here.
I doubt Rafael will be captain in the next 8 years, possibly if he stays with us untill hes like 30 and calms down abit he might be but its unusual for side backs to be captains, even more so 'rash' players like himself.
This lad is absolutely TIRELESS.
Love it, played well today after a big week.
Love it, played well today after a big week.
300 minutes of football without injury and looking tired.
On his way to becoming among the best RBs in the league.
On his way to a second season where he was the best RB in the league.
Surprised Fergie didn't give him a rest after we got the second with them a man down. Could have dropped Valencia deeper. But he's young and when smalling is fit he can get a break. Another good game for him.
He's just brilliant.
Best right back in the league
Agreed.
If he continues like this he will become the best right back in the league this season.
I would love to hear pete's opinion on him.Another match and another top performance
I love Rafa and have always been one of his biggest fans on here, however, I thought that he did look tired today, his passing was off and his % accuracy was comfortably under his average.
He's played an awful lot of minutes this week, it's understandable.
Has now played more than 300minutes in a week or so. I think Smalling play at right back against Braga and I wouldn't complain.
Totally agree.
Just that I thought that his passing was poor by his season standards, quite a few sloppy passes, and I thought 'he does look tired'.
Good performance again. I love the lad
I agree. If Smalling is fit, the game against Braga would be a good time to rest Rafael.
You know what he'll say. He's not one to admit he's wrong out of choice. He rather stays out of the subject. Stubborn like that. He's been harsh on him in the past and is unlikely to give out any praises.
Does Rafa get an assist for the van Persie goal?
He did on my fantasy team if that helps.
Very good again today. Passing was a bit wayward though.
Okay, thanks Baxter, I needed that to edit the Stats thread.
He also got it on BBC website.
He also got it on BBC website.
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