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

I don't think Diego will ever be a prolific scorer, but that doesn't mean he won't come good for us. He brings something different to the team...he's got great pace, links up play well, has 2 good feet and is capable of scoring spectacular goals. I think he's the kind of player who needs time to develop and, with patience, we'll see the best of him.

Given his lack of quality playing time, I think it's really unfair to judge him based on his lack of goals. He needs to have a run of games before we'll be able to see whether or not he can cut it as a striker. And even if he doesn't, I still think he could come good for us as a winger.
 
See that's what annoys me!
"I don't think Forlan will ever be a prolific goalscorer"!
FFS!!!!! What the hell do you know about Forlan before he joined United, to draw up that opinion! Just because he hasn't scored yet, did you know that he scored goals for fun in Argentina! Granted the defences are better here in the Premier League, his finishing is as good as Van's ONCE he gets off the mark. I know this because I regularly watched Argentinian football last season and I can draw up that conclusion, because I know what Forlan is REALLY like. Most ofyou guys who say he may not become prolific are just speculating!
 
The comparison between Forlan and Cole doesn't stack up as far as I'm concerned. A far better comparison is between Juan Pablo Angel and Diego Forlan.

Angel signed for Villa in very simillar circumstances. A lot expected of him based on performances in South America. He of course had a rude awakening when he arrived at Villa. But he came good in the end and you would have to say Villa aren't exactly the side that are going to present a striker with bundles of chances.

I like what I have seen of Forlan so far. As the editorial rightly says he is fast and has two great feet. He also appears to have a great attitude and is game and enthusiastic. IMO it is only a matter of time before things start going right for Forlan.

He hasn't started all that many competitive games and the vast majority are as a sub. Not everyone can make the same impact off the bench as Ole. Okay he is no Ruud. He'll never finish top scorer. But in a team that creates as many chances as United do over the course of an entire season I have little doubt that Forlan will chip in with his fair share. Lets judge him in May!
 
Originally posted by Donaldinho:
<strong>See that's what annoys me!
"I don't think Forlan will ever be a prolific goalscorer"!
FFS!!!!! What the hell do you know about Forlan before he joined United, to draw up that opinion! Most of you guys who say he may not become prolific are just speculating!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well, yes, because most of us haven't seen him prior to his time here. All we have to base our opinion on is what he's done since he's come to United...and all we're doing is offering our opinion.

As United fans, I'm sure we'd all love for Diego to prove us wrong...
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I don't know the exact figures and I'm too lazy to check. Diego has made just over twenty appearances and has averaged about fifteen minutes each time. That works out at about four full games!

He was bought in as back up. He's young and from another continent. It's too early to write him off.

I think he could also end up as cover for the wings.
 
There's no doubt Forlan is a world-class player.
Not easy to produce the goods with all that pressure. Also, not easy to find your form in a team that is still looking for consistency.
 
Originally posted by dicko:
<strong>
I think he could also end up as cover for the wings.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Which would mean we would have to fork out more money to buy two strikers then? Brilliant....
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Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>

Which would mean we would have to fork out more money to buy two strikers then? Brilliant....</strong><hr></blockquote>


Well as we're only using one striker at the moment, if we don't use him on the wings, he mightn't get to play at all.

And he seems excellent down the wing to me.
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Once he gets his chance in a couple of full games he will score!
And watch the roof come off the Stretford end when he does! ;)
 
He may well do. But it always amuses me when people say that one goal will be followed by a cartload.

It didn't happen to quite a lot of strikers in United's history.
 
Originally posted by Livvie20:
<strong>He may well do. But it always amuses me when people say that one goal will be followed by a cartload.

It didn't happen to quite a lot of strikers in United's history.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Precisely.
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Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>One goal will be followed by a cartload. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

....of monkeys.

Most from here. ;)
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Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>

Which would mean we would have to fork out more money to buy two strikers then? Brilliant....</strong><hr></blockquote>

I did say ...ALSO end up as cover for the wings
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Originally posted by Red Pat:
<strong>Once he gets his chance in a couple of full games he will score!
And watch the roof come off the Stretford end when he does! ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Does that mean you are satisfied with his over-all contribution? You must be blind then. This guy is not worth more than 1/2-1 Mil at best, hence everyone is more than entitled to be critical and everyone else who doubt (people who think 7.5 mil were a waste) our commitment or support of UTD should shut the F**k up. Fortune was not a great success, but for 1.5 mil player he in my mind was more than OK.
I am sure some kickbacks or financial irregularities are all over this deal. This guy is shite...really simple.
<img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" /> :mad:
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Originally posted by ALGred:
<strong>

Does that mean you are satisfied with his over-all contribution? You must be blind then. This guy is not worth more than 1/2-1 Mil at best, hence everyone is more than entitled to be critical and everyone else who doubt (people who think 7.5 mil were a waste) our commitment or support of UTD should shut the F**k up. Fortune was not a great success, but for 1.5 mil player he in my mind was more than OK.
I am sure some kickbacks or financial irregularities are all over this deal. This guy is shite...really simple.
<img src="graemlins/keano.gif" border="0" alt="[Keano]" /> :mad: </strong><hr></blockquote>

You are over-reacting aren't you? Even though I am not his biggest fan, he is definitely not "shite".

I do agree that he was over-priced but that's not his fault - blame that on the negotiators.
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I don`t have anything personal against Diego (unlike a few posters) and he is not `Shite`. We have not seen enough of him to make that judgement.

However, I have a feeling Diego will turn out to be a case of one of those buys that just didn`t turn out, was over-priced and under-achieved and probably should not have been bought in the first place. Poborsky anyone? At least Poborsky had shown class in the teams he played for before joining Manchester United.

I fear Diego and Juan Veron will go down in the Manchester United history books as making little real impact other than being buys that seemed to be for the sake of it rather than filling a genuine gap in the team. I hope not as I like them both. :( :( :( :( :( :(
 
Originally posted by giggsgirl:
<strong>I don`t have anything personal against Diego (unlike a few posters) and he is not `Shite`. We have not seen enough of him to make that judgement.

However, I have a feeling Diego will turn out to be a case of one of those buys that just didn`t turn out, was over-priced and under-achieved and probably should not have been bought in the first place. Poborsky anyone? At least Poborsky had shown class in the teams he played for before joining Manchester United.

I fear Diego and Juan Veron will go down in the Manchester United history books as making little real impact other than being buys that seemed to be for the sake of it rather than filling a genuine gap in the team. I hope not as I like them both. :( :( :( :( :( :( </strong><hr></blockquote>

History's against us as south americans no matter how good they are just don't do the business in England. Used to think otherwise but not anymore.
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Yes, and I think that is down to a couple of factors. There is no doubt the Primera Liga and Serie A are good for South American players as there is relatively little adjustment South Americans have to do in terms of culture, lifestyle and climate. Not to mention playing style.

England is a completely different story, of course. When I heard all the rumours of Ronaldo and Ronaldhino I thought, `Bullshit` - they will never come to England.` They could adapt to the English lifestyle and playing style but it would take way too much effort and time. I know Ronaldhino plays in France but France is different from England in so many ways.

Look at Seba - he is a very skilled player and in the right team could play a dominant role. However there is too much competition at Manchester United for that too happen. By competition I don`t mean players denying him the opportunity to shine on the pitch when he is playing - I mean he would have to go to a team where the manager can and is prepared to build the team around him.

Manchester United cannot do that. You don`t change a winning formula to accommodate one player no matter how talented he was in Serie A and is for his country`s team. Last year the winning formula was changed - and we all know what happened. Manchester United had its worst season for a long time.

Of course other clubs would love to have such a bad season. But by Manchester United`s standards last season was a failure. And I don`t expect Diego and Seba to contribute a great deal to a successful season this year. Unfortunately.

:( :( :( :( :( :(
 
The David Walsh article is fantastic. I've always admired Walsh as a journalist and I'm sure most of you can see why.
As for Keano. He's alright in my book. More than alright. :D
 
Originally posted by Rory 7:
<strong>The David Walsh article is fantastic. I've always admired Walsh as a journalist and I'm sure most of you can see why.
As for Keano. He's alright in my book. More than alright. :D </strong><hr></blockquote>
Agree, But why posting this here??
<img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
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I think we need to wait until he has a couple of full games under his belt. The adjustment process has not been helped by only playing 5 mins here and 10 mins there. He started a few games pre-season and scored. He's a player who need time to get into a game. He doesn't look like an impact player, which means using him as a sub is not going to help him
 
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