My issue with Robben is how one footed he is. Pretty much his only move on the right is cutting inside. I say 'problem', it doesn't actually seem a problem for him as he gets away with it time and again. Throughout Bayern's CL run especially, no full-back seemed to figure this out. When they did show him the touchline and not inside (which seemed to happen more by accident as they didn't repeat this tactic), he ran down a blind alley and was shut out. Still a terrific player, mind.
Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!
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My issue with Robben is how one footed he is. Pretty much his only move on the right is cutting inside. I say 'problem', it doesn't actually seem a problem for him as he gets away with it time and again. Throughout Bayern's CL run especially, no full-back seemed to figure this out. When they did show him the touchline and not inside (which seemed to happen more by accident as they didn't repeat this tactic), he ran down a blind alley and was shut out. Still a terrific player, mind.
I agree with you about Robben and effectivity but surely even a 70-80% "effective" Robben is better then Bale at this point in time? No?
I mean the one is proven world class talent, with big match temperament & a match winner of the highest order and then you have...Robben.
*joking*
The point i am trying to make is that people calling Bale "one of the best in Europe" etc, is really knee jerk of the highest order. He has been great, especially at the end of last season and going into this one, but he has proven nothing yet. Let's give the lad a couple of years and then we might really be able to call him one of the best.
Gareth Bale is... A beautiful, bountiful footballer
It doesn't pretty much matter how "1 footed" any footballer is as long as they can "get away with it". Maradona, Messi etc.
I agree with you about the FB's seemingly not having figured this out, but it is easier said then done when you are on the field I suppose, because I do not for one second belive that it wasn't a tactic EVERY team and their dog facing Robben would have discussed/plan over and over again!
I agree with you about Robben and effectivity but surely even a 70-80% "effective" Robben is better then Bale at this point in time? No?
I mean the one is proven world class talent, with big match temperament & a match winner of the highest order and then you have...Robben.
*joking*
The point i am trying to make is that people calling Bale "one of the best in Europe" etc, is really knee jerk of the highest order. He has been great, especially at the end of last season and going into this one, but he has proven nothing yet. Let's give the lad a couple of years and then we might really be able to call him one of the best.
I don't agree entirely, I'd take Bale on the left over a 70-80% effective Robben and I would say that it is a knee jerk to call him the best in Europe but one of the best isn't out of the question. Surely you should realise this as you mentioned Pedro yet he has only had one full season playing at the top level on a regular basis.
He might not be an out and out winger any more, but I still thought he was brilliant when he played there, albeit not as good as he is now as you said.
I know you weren't saying that, but the Sky pundit who was referred to in the OP did, which is really what I was commenting on - which says best left sided player, not winger.
Ribery isn't Bayern's best player most of the time because they have Robben on the right, who outshines him and did it often last season most notably in the CL. Ribery's still in with a very worthy shout of best left sided player in Europe.
Robben rarely plays on the left wing anymore.He does his best from cutting by playing on the right.Therefore it's impossible to compare him with Bale.
Robben isn't a left winger
Robben isn't a left winger
Exactly, I always hear this criticism about Valencia yet it's not exactly uncommon among even the very best players.
kouroux said:
I know mate.
I think Robben is way more effective. I'm not sure Ribery has lived up to his potential/hype at all.
Some people just like to have a stick with which to beat our own players.
Sure, on current form he is one of the best, but how do we base this on someone having 3-4 good games?
I mentioned Pedro because he has proved it not only in La Liga, but also in the UCL and the World stage. But you are also misinterpreting what I said about Pedro. I tried to class him and Bale in the "younger" player category, hence I mentioned there is no way I will call these 2 world class, not yet anyway & certainly not Bale and he hasn't proved as much yet - I admit it is not as if he has had opportunities in the WC or UCL.
It might well have been, it just always confuses me why then he's given the space to cut inside. Naivety? Nervousness? Easier said than done indeed, but when he approaches, if you don't give him the chance to go either way, you're on the right track. He's pacy and got great control, but when he tries dribbling right on his left foot he rarely seems to get results.
Messi and Maradona are/were far better players, capable of going either way and capable of dribbling out of almost any situation. The solution to stopping them is not obvious, besides foul play. The solution to stopping Robben is a lot clear, in my mind.
He has gone from shit to the shit
I get the jist of what you're saying, but some of the VERY best defenders in the world have tried and failed to stop Robben & hence I don't think the solution is quite as clear as you might think. Maybe you under rate Robben just a little? His dribbling is almost up there with Messi etc. & he has blistering speed with a lethal / powerful shot on him. It might not just be as simple as "showing him the line" when you are up against him.
Why doesn't it happen as often as you think it should be then ? The solution is clear (even against Messi who doesn't do fancy tricks) but to actually do it is very tough.It's not as if we know things real pros don't.
It's not a football battle, it's a psychological one.If these dribblers get to you then you're as good as dead.
I don't think I underrate him. I have always been a big fan of his. I do admit that what you said about 'easier said than done' might be true though.
All I've noticed is when full-backs get touch tight, they don't take up intelligent positions to stop him. This is difficult at full pelt, but I mean when given a moment to compose themselves.
I can't think of specific games/examples, but when a full-back has been smart enough to do it, they've stopped him.
Neh I know what you are saying, but one of the things that makes his sooo dangerous is that he CAN be kept quiet for 89mins of the match and one mistake, one shot (the volley against us in UCL QF springs to mind) and he is on the scoresheet.
And don't we know it.
Ribbery
Gareth Bale is an feckin great player that will only get better and he can become one of the very best wing players in the game. I think he would be super addition at Utd if we could next summer get him but its doubtful!
Malouda
how could I forget him ?Aye, he's got plenty of pace. Seems to have found an extra yard or two of it over the past 6 months or so as well. That wand of a left foot is his best asset though. I can't think of anyone at the minute who crosses so consistently brilliantly from the left wing.
At one point, I thought his development had stalled, he wasn't exactly showing why most top clubs were chasing him.
In the past months though, he has been nothing short of brilliant. Should he get even better, he is definitely one to keep an eye on.
In the past months though, he has been nothing short of brilliant. Should he get even better, he is definitely one to keep an eye on.
6 months ago he was being touted as the new Roberto Carlos, now he's better than Ribery.
Any particular reason you don't rate him Pete aside from him being a Spurs player?
You've said this a few times, what do you mean? Is it because he's limited in his attack variety, so that at some point teams will recognise his attacking patterns and he'll have no other tricks up his sleeves?
Other than that I can really see it, because even though he is playing with a similar attacking style to, say, someone like Evra, he's doing it devastatingly well.
I'd say he's worth £15m. Very good performances for around 6 months, but nothing outstanding yet IMHO. Also, his international performances have been inconsistent to say the least.
He's a talented player but he's not used at left back because his defending is crap. As an attacking midfielder I'd say he's had a few good moments but shown nowhere near the range of skills you'd want from a top class player in that position.
What's he missing Pete? He seems to have the all round game to be a top wide player to me, we'll see how he progresses.
Well he only turned 21 in July. For me, his development 'stalled' because he wasn't getting games. He'd had injuries as well, but when he was given a chance at the back end of last season, he took the opportunity.
His overall game as attacking player in terms of passing, movement and shooting is all so-so. He's some way behind say Johnson as a forward (and he's not all that either). He'll probably be back on the bench by Xmas and this little jerkfest will all seem a bit premature.
Rubbish pete. Unless by 'top class player in that position' you mean only players like Messi and Ronaldo.
I bet you think Arshavin is streets ahead of Bale. But while he might be better at football, I reckon I know who will deliver more this season.
I bet you think Arshavin is streets ahead of Bale. But while he might be better at football, I reckon I know who will deliver more this season.
Of course Arshavin is and Nani and even bleedin' Park.
Nah, Bale is becoming a proper player. You're showing your anti-Spurs bias again.
Arshavin is better but he hates Arsenal. Nani is probably a bit better but he's better on the right. Park probably isn't better.
Arshavin is better but he hates Arsenal. Nani is probably a bit better but he's better on the right. Park probably isn't better.
He is very quick - in the games I've seen him in anyway.
That old chestnut. The reason he wasn't getting games will have been because he wasn't playing well. Does my head in that people constantly talk about young players having their development hindered by not getting enough games. The managers work with them all week on the training pitches and there'll be a very good reason if/when they don't pick them at the weekend. Bale clearly went through a period where he was struggling to put it altogether (down to a string of injuries, as much as anything else) but since he's got his shit together (and matured as a footballer) he's established himself as a first-team regular. Let's not put the cart before the horse, eh?
/rant
I know who I'd rather have in our team, that's for damn sure.
He's not a left back though. I don't think they'll play him there against anyone decent.
Think we should just break the bank and sign both Bale & Rodwell! Add these 2 to are existing pool of young players and we'd be sorted for years to come.