RedCafe.net Editorial: Diego Forlan - Bit Part Player to Starring Role?

[Niall]

<a href="https://www.redcafe.net/2002-03/editorial.php3?id=79" target="_blank">Diego Forlan: Bit Part Player to Starring Role?</a>
The honeymoon period is over and Diego Forlan is now in what must be regarded as his make or break season. Yet to score a competitive goal, the Uruguayan is now United's third choice striker and direct cover for Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. So has the 23-year- old got what it takes to make it at Old Trafford or is he very rapidly running out of time to prove himself worthy of the red shirt?...

 

[blythy]

<img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />

 

[JOBT]

people who know about football can see he is very talented ....but he is also very unlucky (see his LEVERKUSEN cleared of the line would be winner and last night).
He can give united a lot and i belive he will.

 

[Livvie]

With the limited chances he has had, dare I say that Forlan does not trail much behind Seba in what he has contributed to games.

If behind at all. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />

 

[oscar74]

I wonder whether he might yet make it as cover for the wide spot rather than a striker - would allow Giggs to play inside more (or cover when injured or rested). Forlan clearly has great pace and good technique - taking the pressure off him from hitting the net would surely help him fit in better.

 

[Sharkey]

Originally posted by Livvie20:
<strong>With the limited chances he has had, dare I say that Forlan does not trail much behind Seba in what he has contributed to games.

If behind at all. <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

i have no problem with him. diego forlan is getting himself adjusted to a new life here. if he was a high lifer, confident, arrogant, he would have made a better start. but im sure forlan is more of a quiet type like are paul. so hence at 21/22 when he joined, he's gonne take time to settle in as well as getting a feel for the feel of the red shirt, i agree with SAF, 9 of 10 of his game is good. and we know the other 1 is there in his talent. i was gutted when giggs was ruled to have taken the ball over the line, truly gutted. this is a good player folks, and the kind of determined young profesional we want at OT. please if you truly love utd the real utd family club then dont get on his back, encourage him. with what has been said in articles linked here, do you really think ferguson bought him as a goalscorer ? we've seen even in the red shirt how exciting he is on the ball, when he grows into his role he will come good. <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[Angel]" />

 

[spinoza]

Originally posted by Sharkey:
<strong>

i have no problem with him. diego forlan is getting himself adjusted to a new life here. if he was a high lifer, confident, arrogant, he would have made a better start. but im sure forlan is more of a quiet type like are paul. so hence at 21/22 when he joined, he's gonne take time to settle in as well as getting a feel for the feel of the red shirt, i agree with SAF, 9 of 10 of his game is good. and we know the other 1 is there in his talent. i was gutted when giggs was ruled to have taken the ball over the line, truly gutted. this is a good player folks, and the kind of determined young profesional we want at OT. please if you truly love utd the real utd family club then dont get on his back, encourage him. with what has been said in articles linked here, do you really think ferguson bought him as a goalscorer ? we've seen even in the red shirt how exciting he is on the ball, when he grows into his role he will come good. <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="[Angel]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Agreed. Wholeheartedly. We need to sing his name at OT like we do Ruud's, or Keano's. Goodness knows, the kid needs the confidence. <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />

 

[blythy]

John Motson last night: "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, always scores. Diego Forlan, will he ever score?" <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />

 

[ShAoLiN_ChRoNiC]

You look at someone like Diouf, or Viana or Jenas or another one of Robsons/Houlliers good/cheap signings and you do feel abit of regret dont you?

I dont think he will ever be prolific. He doesnt look like a good finisher which is what you need as a striker. He is good at long rangers etc tho.

He will never be our number nine unless he improves alot. He will not reach the heights of Ole, Ruud, Henry or Owen etc.

 

[antohan]

Originally posted by ShAoLiN_ChRoNiC:
<strong>You look at someone like Diouf, or Viana or Jenas or another one of Robsons/Houlliers good/cheap signings and you do feel abit of regret dont you?

I dont think he will ever be prolific. He doesnt look like a good finisher which is what you need as a striker. He is good at long rangers etc tho.

He will never be our number nine unless he improves alot. He will not reach the heights of Ole, Ruud, Henry or Owen etc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Oh well, can't be bothered to discuss it. Shao, please refer to the thread on Roy giving him a break (page 2).

 

[Forza Viola]

Originally posted by ShAoLiN_ChRoNiC:
<strong>You look at someone like Diouf, or Viana or Jenas or another one of Robsons/Houlliers good/cheap signings and you do feel abit of regret dont you?

</strong><hr></blockquote>


Would this be the same Diouf who has a strikerate that makes Giggs look prolific? He is eye candy as some Scousers are already begining to notice. Throw in his appalling attitude problems and he is a nice dressing room cancer that the Scousers are welcome too! The other two are complete raw potential who wouldn't get near our first team for a long time...

 

[ole_92]

He neds confindence in himself....he'll soon come around, when he does he will be great...

 

[golden_blunder]

i wish he'd cut that damn hair. I just cant get past the 'poborsky' thought everytime i see him running about

 

[MancFanFromManc]

He might come good, he might not.

Lets just pray that RVN and Ole stay fit and he can continue to play a bit part, at least for this season <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[No No]" />

 

[unitedfan-up-the-tower]

Andy Cole struggled at first to find his feet in the United team. It still early and he's young. His work rate is good and he seems to get himself in good positions the goals will come. I'm confident once he gets his first he will go on and score quite a few.

 

[Bury Red]

Any new player would struggle to impress when he gets the last 10/15 minutes of a game when we are either chasing lost causes against a stacked defence or when we have slaughtered someone and the rest of the time is idling. Forlan has managed to impress with his speed, his control and his all round game, the goals will come, and if he is called on to play from the start either through injuries or just to rest our proven hitmen I can't see him disappointing.

To compare him to the likes of Viana, Jenas or Diouf is not really on as they are all being thrown into full games and given the opportunity to sink or swim. If Forlan had gone to Boro, I am sure he would have bagged a few goals and would certainly have more playing minutes under his belt, the fact that Fergie has bedded him in gently and given him time to settle should mean that the end product we finally see from Forlan is even more impressive. Henry plays with a similar combination of control and pace and took his time to bed in at Highbury during which it was unclear whether he was a winger or a striker, given the time to prove himself Forlan could grow into the same sort of player. United need a striker with a different array of weaponry who will ultimately compliment Ruud and Ole and can also push Giggs and Beckham into upping their game, have patience and Forlan could fit the bill.

 

[unitedfan-up-the-tower]

The main thing is that he's getting in the positions to score. If he wasn't it would be more of a problem. The goals will come, and to be fair he hasn't always come on and played up front. Tuesday is a prime example replacing Becks on the right.

 

[uranushk1]

Agree that he need time to settle and he need the first goal to boost his confidence. He doesn't seems a natural striker at all, but may be he can develop into a player work in the hole behind the front men.

 

[Shaolin]

Originally posted by unitedfan-up-the-tower:
<strong>Andy Cole struggled at first to find his feet in the United team. It still early and he's young. His work rate is good and he seems to get himself in good positions the goals will come. I'm confident once he gets his first he will go on and score quite a few.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Andy Cole still scored something like 12 in his first 17 games or something and people were still lining up to stick the knife into him.

Forlan is having an easy ride in comparison IMO.

 

[nickm]

&gt; He will not reach the heights of Ole, Ruud,
&gt; Henry or Owen etc.

To early to say.

After last season where he seemed to lack a bit of directness (lots of skill, no real end product), I liked the fact he wanted to take the penalty. It shows he wants to start delivering results. I think this bodes well.

 

[antohan]

Originally posted by Shaolin:
<strong>
Andy Cole still scored something like 12 in his first 17 games or something and people were still lining up to stick the knife into him.

Forlan is having an easy ride in comparison IMO.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Wasn't Andy Cole a "break the bank" type signing relative to Forlan being a "7m for the future" reinforcement? Wasn't there a lot of hype around Andy Cole before he signed (i.e. he was already considered one of the Premiership's best)?

 

[Neil Thomson]

Originally posted by antohan:
<strong>

Wasn't Andy Cole a "break the bank" type signing relative to Forlan being a "7m for the future" reinforcement? Wasn't there a lot of hype around Andy Cole before he signed (i.e. he was already considered one of the Premiership's best)?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes.

 

[markpud]

Diego will become a good player for us, he has the support of the crowd at OT, and he's getting closer to that elusive first goal.. when it comes he will be able to relax into his game a bit more and then he should settle and start scoring naturally.

 

[wythykid]

Forlan isn't the first striker to have problems here. McDougall, Birtles and Davenport come to mind. Each had lots of success with smaller clubs but struggled to cope with the weight of expectation and the pressures of playing on a 'bigger stage'. It will be an even more difficult transition for Diego. He's a homesick 21 year old, with no experience of the English game. Patience is the key.

 

[Davo]

Another scenario that seems to have evaded most of you is that Forlan isn't good enough...and that he has, and will, flop..

Is this so unlikely?

 

[JOBT]

Originally posted by Davo:
<strong>Another scenario that seems to have evaded most of you is that Forlan isn't good enough...and that he has, and will, flop..

Is this so unlikely?</strong><hr></blockquote>

certainlty not an impossible scenario ...

though i have been pleased with his efforts in his small amout of pitch time.

 

[lchk]

Originally posted by ShAoLiN_ChRoNiC:
<strong>You look at someone like Diouf, or Viana or Jenas or another one of Robsons/Houlliers good/cheap signings and you do feel abit of regret dont you?

I dont think he will ever be prolific. He doesnt look like a good finisher which is what you need as a striker. He is good at long rangers etc tho.

He will never be our number nine unless he improves alot. He will not reach the heights of Ole, Ruud, Henry or Owen etc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

One can actually draw some sort of parallel with what Paul Parker mentioned about players settling in at OT. Players joining us would crtainly have the ability but do they have what it takes mentally to make it as a Man Utd player?

By the end of this season, we shall certainly know whether Forlan has what it takes to cut it in the Premiership and CL.

 

[lchk]

Originally posted by Bury Red:
<strong>Any new player would struggle to impress when he gets the last 10/15 minutes of a game when we are either chasing lost causes against a stacked defence or when we have slaughtered someone and the rest of the time is idling. Forlan has managed to impress with his speed, his control and his all round game, the goals will come, and if he is called on to play from the start either through injuries or just to rest our proven hitmen I can't see him disappointing.

To compare him to the likes of Viana, Jenas or Diouf is not really on as they are all being thrown into full games and given the opportunity to sink or swim. If Forlan had gone to Boro, I am sure he would have bagged a few goals and would certainly have more playing minutes under his belt, the fact that Fergie has bedded him in gently and given him time to settle should mean that the end product we finally see from Forlan is even more impressive. Henry plays with a similar combination of control and pace and took his time to bed in at Highbury during which it was unclear whether he was a winger or a striker, given the time to prove himself Forlan could grow into the same sort of player. United need a striker with a different array of weaponry who will ultimately compliment Ruud and Ole and can also push Giggs and Beckham into upping their game, have patience and Forlan could fit the bill.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Isn't it a little premature to draw comparisons and pin your hopes on Forlan becoming Henry Mk II?

 

[lchk]

Originally posted by Davo:
<strong>Another scenario that seems to have evaded most of you is that Forlan isn't good enough...and that he has, and will, flop..

Is this so unlikely?</strong><hr></blockquote>

It hasn't evaded me at all and the fact that worries me most is South Americans hardly ever do well in chilly England - the pace of the game is too fast for them.

 

[Murt]

I hope that everyone who is criticising Forlan and dont think he will ever make it with us will not chnge their minds after he scores a few goals.
Hes a Man Utd player and as long as he doesnt do a Yorke and just turn up on thursdays for the pay cheque everyone should be backing him.

 

[scalisto]

I've seen Forlan playing in many local league games and think that he'll come good. Argentina's league may not be as fast as the EPL, but scoring goals is no picnic as there's plenty of tough defenders around.

 

[tomi]

In my view Forlan is average player, I'll eat this monitor in front of me, if he ever became a good enough for UTD.

 

[oscar74]

Originally posted by wythykid:
<strong>Forlan isn't the first striker to have problems here. McDougall, Birtles and Davenport come to mind. Each had lots of success with smaller clubs but struggled to cope with the weight of expectation and the pressures of playing on a 'bigger stage'. It will be an even more difficult transition for Diego. He's a homesick 21 year old, with no experience of the English game. Patience is the key.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey what about Alan "more hair than skill" Brazil. Now that was a crap signing. Used to go nuts watching him blow chance after chance knowing that Terry "poison dwarf" Gibson was waiting to replace him off the bench, Anyone complaining about Forlan doesn't know what a real bust looks like. Give him time - the kid'll come good.

 

[ste_grassham]

do you think the boys @ boro are laughing at us? we hijack the player they thought they had bought, but we meet him at the airport with a suitcase full of money, and he comes to ot! and has yet to score in 12321 or so games. But i like this kid, they way he just laughed after his goal was ruled out the other night shows he can handle the presure, i hope this kid shows us way we paid £7.5 million for him. We need to sing his name and get behind the lad so come on i will start. ahem FORLAN WHEN WILL HE START SCORING, WE LIKE YOUR LONG HAIR, YOU LOOK LIKE YOGI BEAR..... well its the best i can do....

 

[redpie]

Crap haircut,great attitude...nice touch, no killer instinct.
We may have pinched him from under the noses of Boro, but just ask the Teesiders if they would swap Forlan for their alternative...Massimo Maccarone?
I doubt it.......just what we needed...a young confident powerful striker who knows where the goal is. An excellent understudy for RVN and perhaps a sometime partner.
A chance missed surely?

 

[spinoza]

Originally posted by redpie:
<strong>Crap haircut,great attitude...nice touch, no killer instinct.
We may have pinched him from under the noses of Boro, but just ask the Teesiders if they would swap Forlan for their alternative...Massimo Maccarone?
I doubt it.......just what we needed...a young confident powerful striker who knows where the goal is. An excellent understudy for RVN and perhaps a sometime partner.
A chance missed surely?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Maccarone got more minutes in his first game than Forlan got in his first 5 games. Some leeway should be given, surely. The lad will come good.

 

[unitedfan-up-the-tower]

Forlan may not make it, but it's far too early to say. The start of the champions league will give him the chance to start a few games when SAF's squad rotation kicks in. Like most strikers i think he's confidence player. One goal will give him that confidence. He also look like a player who needs time to get in to a game so bringing him on for 5 minutes isn't doing him any good.
After have Ole for the last 8 years we've got used to a player coming of the bench and scoring almost immediatly. Ole's a natural finisher Diego isn't.
I think sub-consiously a lot of people are comparing him to Ole, he came in as a player we knew nothing about and is predominatly a sub

 

[Bury Red]

Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>

Isn't it a little premature to draw comparisons and pin your hopes on Forlan becoming Henry Mk II?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Isn't it a little premature to write him off?

Patience is obviously not a virtue in Malaysia, a fact confirmed with irritating regularity by our regional office and reinforced by your "knee jerk reactions" to team performance <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />

I merely stated that he has the combination of pace and control that players like Henry use to great effect and that United lack when Giggs is off the boil. Whether Forlan can prove it on the biggest of stages will only be known with time but you can't write off a player who only receives 10-15 minute bursts of play usually at the time when the team are underperforming if he doesn't immediately set the world on fire.

I like his style and hope he goes on to prove the doubters wrong, where's the problem with that?

 

[lchk]

Originally posted by Bury Red:
<strong>

Isn't it a little premature to write him off?

Patience is obviously not a virtue in Malaysia, a fact confirmed with irritating regularity by our regional office and reinforced by your "knee jerk reactions" to team performance <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />

I merely stated that he has the combination of pace and control that players like Henry use to great effect and that United lack when Giggs is off the boil. Whether Forlan can prove it on the biggest of stages will only be known with time but you can't write off a player who only receives 10-15 minute bursts of play usually at the time when the team are underperforming if he doesn't immediately set the world on fire.

I like his style and hope he goes on to prove the doubters wrong, where's the problem with that?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't think many of us here are writing him off completely although some doubts do persist.

I have no problem with you saying he will prove his doubters wrong, I am merely pointing out your statement of mentioning henry and forlan in the same paragraph and drawing comparisons between the two is shall I say is way out.

BTW, does your company's KL office still maintain those "tiny" e-mail accounts?

 

[Bury Red]

Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>I have no problem with you saying he will prove his doubters wrong, I am merely pointing out your statement of mentioning henry and forlan in the same paragraph and drawing comparisons between the two is shall I say is way out.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Is it that far out? From what little we have seen of Forlan he is pacy, has good control with both feet and, although he has as yet failed to do so for United, can finish with a touch of flair. I merely compared playing styles as we have lacked a quick striker who can run at and off defences since Cole's departure whilst Henry has made that role his own at Arsenal. It is possible to mention the two in the same paragraph without having to draw a direct comparison between them at this exact moment in time, Henry is clearly the finished article whereas Forlan is still to prove himself but similarities in style of player do exist and I hope he goes on to fulfill that sort of role for United.

<strong>BTW, does your company's KL office still maintain those "tiny" e-mail accounts? </strong><hr></blockquote>

I shall find out shortly as they have just e-mailed me requesting some additional drawings. Oh joy