Ronaldo and the Right-Back situation

Member 5225

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Obviously Ronaldo had his best ever season last year with a stable Wes Brown behind him (and sometimes ahead of him) doing all the dirty/donkey work, picking up the loose balls, confusing the full backs by making runs down the wing and crossing balls into the area too...

Ronaldo seems to be doing a lot of work on the right this season, more than last season IMO...and maybe seems to have a little too much on his plate defensively - or not enough support this season...

Or am I reading too much into this?
 
He's played on the left this season a lot too.

I think you're reading too much into it. He just isnt having as good a year. Understandable really.
 
Its definitely a combination of factors. It helps to have a consistent partner on the right flank. They begin to develop an understanding and can be very effective together. Ronaldo has done it in the past with Neville and Brown. This season things have been different with Neville, Brown, Rafael and O'Shea playing there at various times. Ive seen when he looks for extra support on that side in an attacking move but nobody is available, it must be frustrating.
 
I think I only thought about this when Ronaldo was highly frustrated at JOS during a recent game and I thought: hmm, Wes woulda probably pushed up higher and supported him more, and maybe also made it easier for Ronaldo by pushing up so high up the pitch so as to take out the full back from Ronaldo's path
 
Member 5225 said:
I think I only thought about this when Ronaldo was highly frustrated at JOS during a recent game and I thought: hmm, Wes woulda probably pushed up higher and supported him more, and maybe also made it easier for Ronaldo by pushing up so high up the pitch so as to take out the full back from Ronaldo's path
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I think he was annoyed at JOS for not pressuring the player who the ball fell too, Oshea was about to jump in and get a tackle but pulled back - and TBH it did look like he would have been fav for the ball had he gone in.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Nah, it's not.

In terms of linking up with a full-back, Ronaldo was much more effective with Evra than he ever was with Brown.
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I believe (and I could be wrong), he played the majority of the games down the right last season
 
Ole_Gunnar said:
Champions league final?
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I don't think that's a good example as Ronaldo played down the left wing in the CL final, tore Essien apart in the first half. I just think last season he was a fantastic attacker - whether that be down the right, left or down the centre, don't think you can claim he was best down the left because he did so much good in other areas too.
 
Virtuoso said:
I don't think that's a good example as Ronaldo played down the left wing in the CL final, tore Essien apart in the first half. I just think last season he was a fantastic attacker - whether that be down the right, left or down the centre, don't think you can claim he was best down the left because he did so much good in other areas too.
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It's a good example to back up my point. One of many games where he did his best work down the left.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Last season Ronaldo did all his best work down the left.
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He was fantastic wherever he played, but I've long thought he's better on the left too. His link up play with Evra is fantastic, and as so much of his game is based around cutting inside its only logical that he cuts onto his better foot. Strangely enough, his crossing was better from the left wing last year too. All the cool kids seem to be playing on the "wrong" side these days anyway - Messi and Robben on the right wing, Ribery on the left.
 
before people get on Ronaldo's back......bump!

I think it's clear that without a solid partner behind him, he just doesn't have the confidence to be creatively free....one stray pass and we're feckin wide open...
 
It is obvious for everyone to see from todays game. 1st half he was anonymous. For the first 10 minutes of the second half, he was the same, but then as Neville grew in stature and got himself into the game...Ronaldo did too. It is not a coincidence.
 
Ronaldo's lack of work ethic puts pressure on our right back. And when he is playing left wing, it puts serious pressure on our other left winger, Patrice Evra.
 
Ronaldo is cocky and O'Shea or Neville can't compete with his trickery and tend to get muddled up with him. He plays better with Evra on the left or Brown/ Rafael down the right.

Ronaldo has sucked because he's lost the heart and isn't having fun. He's begging Real to get him, no doubt in my mind!
 
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