Gotta love him.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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Zabaleta is a proper defender. Tough as nails.
Those two have been the best full backs in the league from what I've seen this season (which is quite a lot, I imagine I've seen all the teams at least twice).
Now, quick, before Pete barges in to try and tell me that Sagna who can't even get in the side ahead of Jenkinson () is the best.
Totally agree with this. I rate Zabaleta very highly, and if Rafa can get to his level and consistency, I'd be quite happy. I do think though that Rafa has that little bit extra technical ability to get more crosses and goals in, but Zabaleta is still a brilliant defender.
Apologies that gets on my nerves!
That graph misses the point about I could care less. To quote myself:
Also this post shows the probable historical process - 'negation by association' - that lead to the usage.
In summary, the argument that I could care less only means 'I am able to care a smaller amount' is wrong. The argument that it should only mean that is a matter of taste, equivalent to claiming that, say, Bang on about language? Not in this thread you don't! should only be used to mean, 'In this thread you do bang on about language'...i.e., it's also pretty much a bollocks argument.
Just because Zabaleta tackles like crazy and injures himself twice per game doesn't mean he is brilliant at defending.
I am not saying he is poor, because he is good player, but nothing to special, Wes Brown didn't do nothing worse for us on RB few seasons before.
I am not saying he is poor, because he is good player, but nothing to special, Wes Brown didn't do nothing worse for us on RB few seasons before.
Where's all this Zabaleta/Rafael stuff come from?
Rafa is streets ahead of Zabaleta already.
Rafa is streets ahead of Zabaleta already.
Plech, don't make me infract you for excruciatingly tedious posting resulting in mass suicide. You have a responsibility to keep that shit locked up where no-one else can see it but you and your alter-egos.
Well, a more sensible description of his defending would probably see him look like a better defender. A rather curious summary there.
Zabaleta is a very good and well balanced full-back. It is a myth to say he offers nothing going forward too. He's good, but I'd prefer Rafael myself, I think he's even better.
He is good defender, but he definitely buys people with those heroic things.
Destined for greatness. His first appearance he volleys beautifully with his left foot against Arsenal and doesn't even celebrate but runs to grab the ball so we can get on with the comeback.
I love that he out muscles and out jumps so many players even though he is a pretty small player.
And he scored at Anfield with his left when we were getting battered.
Future captain.
I love that he out muscles and out jumps so many players even though he is a pretty small player.
And he scored at Anfield with his left when we were getting battered.
Future captain.
But I mean full blooded, vein throbbing passion. The type which would make somebody run through a brick wall.
Rafael has that in abundance. Sure in the past, I think the passion he has made him quite reckless and like a headless chicken at times, but hopefully that's starting to happen less and less now.
I still remember the time he cleaned a Liverpool player out at Anfield, and was just acting crazy. That cnut Suarez came over and pulled Rafael's hair.
Not sure where this talk has come from. He's a brilliant player but not really captain material. He doesn't talk much on the pitch, he's a 'head down' sort of player. Plus the fullback position doesn't lend itself to captaincy. He spends all his time bombing up and down one side of the pitch, so there's no time to be marshalling the rest of the team, and he's not in a position to get a good sense of the game as a whole anyway.
Evans was the man who stood out against West Ham as future captain material, for me. He was shouting all game long, often correcting Smalling's positioning, and clearly had a really good sense of the shape of the game. Those lovely runs forward, in particular, were perfectly timed, coming at moments when the midfield was idling a little and everyone needed something to get them going.
I was really impressed with Rafael against West Ham; he had the pace to outpace Jarvis who is seriously fast, he won headers against the likes of Torres; he intercepted the ball on numerous occasions and contributed well in attack. If we had a Lampard, Rafael, and definetely Evra, would have had lots more assists - our midfield is not good enough at attacking the space around the 18 yard box. (this is not a general complaint about our midfield - Anderson might still be the solution)
That Jarvis saw it wise to change to playing on the right tells everything about Rafael's match; that Evra gave him nothing, also tells us that Evra is on a good spell at the moment (bar that atrocious pass at the end).
That Jarvis saw it wise to change to playing on the right tells everything about Rafael's match; that Evra gave him nothing, also tells us that Evra is on a good spell at the moment (bar that atrocious pass at the end).
Indeed if only Gary Neville had not played as a fullback
To me, Evans isn't captain material, and I base that on a lot more than one game. He doesn't look tough enough, and we have seen several times that he looks offset by mistakes and going through a rough patch. I'm sure that Fergie will know who will be the next captain anyhow.
Indeed if only Gary Neville had not played as a fullback
To me, Evans isn't captain material, and I base that on a lot more than one game. He doesn't look tough enough, and we have seen several times that he looks offset by mistakes and going through a rough patch. I'm sure that Fergie will know who will be the next captain anyhow.
Exceptions don't disprove rules. And Neville was a very different sort of fullback to Rafael.
I see your point about Evans. I wasn't saying that I think he will be our captain in the future. It's just odd that a few people are using this game as a reason why Rafa might be, when he didn't show many signs of captain-esque potential and Evans did.
Being a shouter isn't important as a captain, but showing courage, leadership
And the will to win is. Central defenders need to talk to organise the defence, that isn't the fullbacks job.
What Rafael shows is he has a pair of bollocks, he backs down to nobody.
He has a fire in his belly that not many of our players have and
IMO it spurs the crowd and players on.
If he continues he could be 1 of our highest capped outfield players.
Neville was certainly different, but Evra has also acted as captain lately, so I'm not sure that your argument is bulletproof. That said, I do remember Ferguson saying that he preferred his captain being in the middle of the park, not strikers - read Rooney.
Agree that one match doesn't determine why a player can become captain. Rafael has been great, probably our best player this season, but that doesn't necessarily make him a good captain.
It really is unfair. Let's assume most fans simply watch their team play and not much else. They may occasionally tune in to MOTD or Sky Sports for some highlights but nothing more than that. They're satisfied with the amount of football they witness week in, week out.
Most of these media outlets as Brightonian outlined, put the player's past reputation before the improvement of recent performances. So it will only be when they recognize such improvements will rival fans and the more casual fans take notice. They won't take your word for it even though you watch your team every week simply because you're a fan. But if Jamie feckin Redknapp says something, it becomes that much more relevant
Maybe because some view him as a leader-by-example type captain. The type who gets everyone going with a big tackle/interception/some type of display of passion.
That picture cracks me up every damn time I watch it. I mean, what was he thinking? "Dude, lets fecking derp in his face!" The funny bit was it actually had Tevez wondering what the hell was going on.
It's nothing like what he is like on the field. Similar to Carrick poplocking or doing one of those Brazilian dances, after scoring.
It's nothing like what he is like on the field. Similar to Carrick poplocking or doing one of those Brazilian dances, after scoring.
Gone are the days where the captain on the pitch has too be a big talker. Despite Vidic's big rep he's not a huge talker, neither was Cantona. There's loads more.
Rafael is the sort that could be captain one day because he's full on and leads by example. I don't think it'll happen because I think we'll always have better options but I think when he's older there'll be plenty of times when he does captain the side if the actual captain is out etc.
Agree with this.
Well, our next permanent captain would be Rooney. After him Jones, Rafael and Evans (not in that order) looks captain material so I think that it could be quit possible that one day Rafael would be our perma captain.
Well heroic defending is generally seen as a positive attribute. I don't get your point.
God..I hope not.
Despite his controversy in 2010 he seems to be the most natural choice when Vidic will be sold/retired. The only exception is if Vidic will be here for another 5-6 years and then Rooney would not be starter.
Its not just the controversy add on to the fact that he is one of least consistent players out of all the starters. Take months to get back from any simple injury, doesnt handle pressure that well(see him badmouth the fans during the last world cup) and is not the best example to our youngsters off the pitch.
Wether Rooney becomes our next captain or not I have serious doubts that it will be Rafael so soon. I like Rafael's fire but a captain needs to be able to keep his cool a bit better.
The Tevez situation is fun and good to see some confidence in a young player not taking shit from other players, but if he were our captain in that situation then that could very well escalate things on the pitch unnecessarily.
The Tevez situation is fun and good to see some confidence in a young player not taking shit from other players, but if he were our captain in that situation then that could very well escalate things on the pitch unnecessarily.
Maybe so, maybe not. At least with Rafa, his fire for the game is boundless.
He doesn't take months to get back from any simple injury, and plenty of great captains have done some pretty odd things at world cups and off the pitch. Keane did alright..
more than one month=months. If you feel that rooney and keane have the same hunger in them then its worthless arguing this with you.
Edit-Just re-read my original post and it wasnt clear. What I meant was that whenever he is injured it takes him months to get back to his best.
Brightonian, this article from Michael Cox sums up my thoughts:
Excellent article.
People like Mark Lawrenson no longer belong on TV.
People like Mark Lawrenson no longer belong on TV.
I posted that article in the Neville thread a few days ago. Not sure what relevance it has to Rafael.
How he is perceived by pundits and journos alike despite him playing well. We have bellends saying Anderson had an average performance against West Ham. Needlessly peddling old reputations. Just pure bollocks that some bloke will believe now the next time they see Anderson. It's ridiculous.
feck. That. Out of all the stupid tactical things Sir Alex has done this season this has to be the one that makes me the most mad. Take off the most consistent, most passionate player we've had all season after 30 minutes when two of the goals had nothing to do with him whatsoever.
I thought he was spot on. He was on a yellow and all over the shop.
Evans has been worse, but he wasn't booked.
On a booking and we're clearly unable to defend anything that's off the ground. I feel for him but I can understand it
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