I can't shake the feeling that this will basically be the trend for him now, a really good game like the RvP of old followed by a poor one or two. I'm just not sure at the age of 31, after an injury plagued career and being overplayed the last few years, that he's capable of the consistency he used to be. That said, if we can grab us 20 goals this season I'll be delighted, and hopefully I'm wrong and he does kick on from here, because we saw last night just how much of a one man match winner the guy can be when he's at his best.
20
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 5
- Status
I wouldn't be that sure just yet. It was one good performance, with another decent one against Hull. I'd still like to see him put a few good games together. It's astonishing how fickle posters are with their opinions on players.
Physically he's looked as good as he's ever done if not more fitter. For example i've never seen him run so much and press like he did against Stoke last week. Physically he has proven over the last 3 games that his legs are far from gone. The only thing missing from his game recently was his technical brillance and he seems to have found that against Southampton. Players don't just lose their technical qualities, it was always a confidence issue.
People say injuries he has had in his career would take its toll but its the opposite really. Missing so many games in his career means he has more miles left in his legs. Robben was even more injury prone than Van Persie yet he is benefiting now from the time he has missed.
He was quite decent against Stoke too, seems to be running far, far harder than at the start of the season.
His post match comments were interesting. Made a point of saying how he is feeling really fit, physically, now. The implication being that he wasn't in the opening games of the season. That would be a really reassuring explanation for his poor start.
I was going to say this. I think a lot of players could have better and longer careers if they played less when younger. For example if Rooney had played less in his early 20s, he might not have lost as much of his pace by now, and he'd be an absolute force to be reckoned with. Obviously that doesn't happen to everyone - Ronaldo for example - but it does seem to happen to a big number of players.
Yeah he did seem very confident, although he always has been. I really, really hope that's the case and he kicks on from here. He could be the difference between top four and not. I don't think there's another game changer in our team as influential as an in-form RvP, Di Maria included.
In this form, you almost expect him to score in every game. He did look fit throughout the entire 90 mins yday.
Was quality last night in fairness. Especially the 2nd half. Hold up play was superb and deadly in front of goal.
You would alright but he'd have to be getting a lot more service than the few bit's and bobs he was getting here and there last night.
I'll put my hands up, I was calling for him to be dropped a few games ago as I thought he really penalized the overall play of the team, but he's turned it around big time and looks really fit. Excellent all round game for him last night.
Was outstanding last night. I had actually forgotten him at that level. Reminded me of his first season with us where we were basically cheating by having him in the team. In those days we just used to knock the ball in the general direction of him and let him get on with it. Was pretty much like that last night. He stole those points for us.
He definitely had a bit of bite back last night which helped. I remember him barging into one of their defenders off the ball which I thought was a good sign. He's hardly been in our games recently but he seemed to want to get on the ball at every opportunity last night. Hopefully he keeps it up against the Scousers.
Well he shut me up. I was calling for him to be rested over the coming weeks. Jesus he was good today.
If you consider how shite we actually were and how shameful the service he got was, you gotta say that was close to a 10/10 performance. He didn't put a foot in wrong at all and worked extremely hard defensively as well. They couldn't touch him. And to score on both chances he had is brilliant.
He played like he did at the beginning of his first season for us. He even looked noticeably stronger and faster and worked harder than he has worked in a while.
If you consider how shite we actually were and how shameful the service he got was, you gotta say that was close to a 10/10 performance. He didn't put a foot in wrong at all and worked extremely hard defensively as well. They couldn't touch him. And to score on both chances he had is brilliant.
He played like he did at the beginning of his first season for us. He even looked noticeably stronger and faster and worked harder than he has worked in a while.
Promising, indeed.
Nice. Always nice to put one's hands up and admit it. I'm going to head to the Fellaini thread to do likewise after reading this.
I just wonder where the people who said "There is literally no hope for him if he doesn't play well against Arsenal" or "James Wilson DESERVES his chance" are now. Plenty of people were saying what you were saying, good on you.
I actually gave him my first 10/10 of the season in the post match ratings. Thought he was absolutely flawless last night.
It's only football and I have no problems admitting when I was mistaken about a player. And it's a nice feeling to do so when said player has had such a good game to be honest!
Yeah, I agree. But what you'll find in the most part on these forums is that people won't admit it. What they'll do is wait as long as they can, until the player next makes a mistake, then get in there and highlight it on his thread. If you look at Fellaini, it's happening on his thread now after a shambolic turnout yesterday.It's only football and I have no problems admitting when I was mistaken about a player. And it's a nice feeling to do so when said player has had such a good game to be honest!
Top lad! Classy!
He was fantastic, world class striker performance.
I am among those who insistently defended him and thought it was right LvG started him every game because I know he's the one who can pull off magic trick and boom, score. And he hasn't disappoint and I still keep faith in him. Last night he didn't only score two goals giving us the vital 3 points taking up to third in the table. He also played well overall and was the best player in the pitch. I believe he's such a quality player people writes him off at their perils. I have said it many times before and I am saying it again now.
If Van Persie can return to the sort of form that sees him put away virtually every chance he gets, we'll comfortably finish top 4 and will probably bite at the heels of the two above.
If he does continue this form, Di Maria will feed him Ronaldo-style. Di Maria would be on Cesc levels of assists by now, as he has put van Persie in for at least 2/3 chances in almost every game so far.
Have to say I've been wanting him dropped for ages but he's turning it round. Props to Van Gaal for sticking with him, what I'd initially taken to be a touch of sentimentalism may turn out to be brilliant management if Van Persie can keep it up.
Got to say I am one of those that has been one of those that's been thinking - ok he is done and time for him to go. However, not because of his 2 goals but, rather afterwards makes me want to have a word with myself. The way he went and sought that kid out to give his shirt and then just the way he genuinely was appreciative of the fans - very good to see from him.
Glad he's turning things around. We need him sharp against Liverpool. A 6th win in a row will be awesome.
On form he's our best player, even better than Di Maria, Falcao and Rooney. Against Southampton he was absolutely brilliant and won us the game like he used to. It's up to him now to keep his form up now, he's set the standard and he needs to play like that consistently.
Anyway he's coming into form at a brilliant time, hopefully he does the business against L'pool on Sunday!
Anyway he's coming into form at a brilliant time, hopefully he does the business against L'pool on Sunday!
His best performance of the season by a distance.
Interesting he said his fitness has gotten better last 2 weeks. Hope he can continue his form.
Interesting he said his fitness has gotten better last 2 weeks. Hope he can continue his form.
I was hoping that he'd get his confidence back, and he certainly did. He was looking like the van Persie I know with that excellent performance against Southampton. He looked fit, sharp, and at his best. His technique was top notch, and he made very good use of what little time he had with the ball. His two goals were also very much the sort of goals he would score when the team needed them.
Let's hope he continues on like this. The match against Stoke showed signs of him getting back to his best, and this match was where we saw the old Robin van Persie, the one we all love to see.
Let's hope he continues on like this. The match against Stoke showed signs of him getting back to his best, and this match was where we saw the old Robin van Persie, the one we all love to see.
Man Utd 3:0 Liverpool
Looks much sharper on the ball. Good hold-up play leading up to Rooney's goal.
Yeah, thought that myself. He doesn't look as sluggish when involved as play as he had been for most of the season before the Southampton game.
So I assume everyone who's been dishing it out on RVP is quite quiet today?
What Phil Neville said before kick off made a ton of sense to me.
What Phil Neville said before kick off made a ton of sense to me.
Definitely agree with you. He's not had much service, but he's not dwelling on the ball and he looks so much more stronger than earlier on in the season. He's even working hard defensively.
What did he say?
He will score one today I m sure. Been very lively.
"When you start the new season on the back of the hard and long season, and it wasn't a great season for Robin van Persie fitness-wise, with just 10 days off in pre-season to recover from going really far in the World Cup, it is impossible to recover in time. That is why Robin van Persie has started the new campaign so slowly."
great game by him.
He seems to be back. May it last longer.
He was fab.
Worked his bollocks off today and deserved the goal.
Worked his bollocks off today and deserved the goal.
- Status