Nani

[Cina]

Let's be honest, it would be nigh on impossible for him to start this season as badly as he did last.

He's nowhere near a £17m player for me, and he isn't United quality. Fair's fair, he can take it past people, but if he can't deliver a decent ball (He maybe delivers 1 good cross for every 20), then there is no fecking point.

I'd like nothing more than to be proved wrong.

If that's the case then we're in trouble aren't we, because he's easily the most talented winger we have. I've no idea where you're getting the 1 in 20 crosses thing, why the feck would SAF let him take the corners if that were the case? Nani usually produces great crosses. I actually didn't think his crossing was bad tonight, it was certainly better than any that Valencia tried to put in. We had 10 men on the pitch, and usually only one player in the box, a relatively small player, how do you expect his crosses to be lethal in those situations?

Oh, and let's not forget the fact that he's more of a left winger than a right winger too, considering he was on the right tonight.

Can't believe he's getting such stick to be honest, considering he was our best player in an otherwise poor attack tonight.

 

[McLovin]

I thought he was our most dangerous player tonight, very frustrating on occasions though.

 

[Cina]

No. Everytime I've done a 12 hour round trip up to Manchester I've deliberately blindfolded myself.

I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case, because in the first 3 or 4 games Nani was very, very good.

 

[jgraham]

I thought he was quite good tonight - this thread surprises me!

You and me both, seems he can do no right.

I thought he was our most dangerous player tonight, very frustrating on occasions though.

This is spot on - our most dangerous player indeed.

 

[Rooney1987]

Yeah final ball has average at times but I don't get it I thought he was very good tonight.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I remember a number of occasions where we've had Rooney and Berbatov on the pitch in the box and he's still failed to deliver anything decent. It's not just the fans that get frustrated at him, the players do as well. The amount of times you see Rooney and Berbatov throwing their hands in the air after they've worked their arses off running into the box and Nani tries to be a show pony with his little flicks and ball rolls and by the time he's actually looked up and gone to cross it he's either dispossessed, hammered the ball against the nearest defender or done an ineffectual cross to the near post.

I would never try to claim he's not frustrating. He does my head in time and time again.

I'm just saying he played well tonight. When we had eleven men on the pitch he was excellent and looked really dangerous.

 

[Godfather]

Nani has just been no where good enough for a United player.

And still he is in our squad, for his 3rd year... He has started pretty many games for not beeing good enough

 

[Domzi]

If that's the case then we're in trouble aren't we, because he's easily the most talented winger we have. I've no idea where you're getting the 1 in 20 crosses thing, why the feck would SAF let him take the corners if that were the case? Nani usually produces great crosses. I actually didn't think his crossing was bad tonight, it was certainly better than any that Valencia tried to put in. We had 10 men on the pitch, and usually only one player in the box, a relatively small player, how do you expect his crosses to be lethal in those situations?

Oh, and let's not forget the fact that he's more of a left winger than a right winger too, considering he was on the right tonight.

Can't believe he's getting such stick to be honest, considering he was our best player in an otherwise poor attack tonight.

That's because no one else can do them besides Giggs. Carrick had a go, as did Rooney and they weren't any good. The nearest we've got when Giggs isn't on is Nani.

 

[esmufc07]

I remember a number of occasions where we've had Rooney and Berbatov on the pitch in the box and he's still failed to deliver anything decent. It's not just the fans that get frustrated at him, the players do as well. The amount of times you see Rooney and Berbatov throwing their hands in the air after they've worked their arses off running into the box and Nani tries to be a show pony with his little flicks and ball rolls and by the time he's actually looked up and gone to cross it he's either dispossessed, hammered the ball against the nearest defender or done an ineffectual cross to the near post.

The problem with Nani is he thinks he is far better than he actually is. Every game I have seen him in this season he has been poor. He's good at taking it past people, and he certainly knows how to hit a shot, but his final ball is just, in a word, shit.

Pogue you say his crossing is better when he has more to aim at, look at the Community Shield when we had Rooney and Berbatov up front. His crossing was woeful than and hadn't shown any signs of improvement upon last season.

There's a reason he is only being played in the 'lesser' games so to speak, because he hasn't developed well and he obviously isn't doing well enough in training for Fergie to consider him for the first XI.

As I said, it would not surprise me in the least if he was shipped out at the end of the season, be it on a loan where he can get regular football, or a permanent transfer.

 

[Count Duckula]

I remember a number of occasions where we've had Rooney and Berbatov on the pitch in the box and he's still failed to deliver anything decent. It's not just the fans that get frustrated at him, the players do as well. The amount of times you see Rooney and Berbatov throwing their hands in the air after they've worked their arses off running into the box and Nani tries to be a show pony with his little flicks and ball rolls and by the time he's actually looked up and gone to cross it he's either dispossessed, hammered the ball against the nearest defender or done an ineffectual cross to the near post.

You're right, of course. The fans and his teammates were never left frustrated and annoyed by anything Ronaldo did, ever.

 

[Domzi]

You're right, of course. The fans and his teammates were never annoyed at anything Ronaldo did, ever.

Are you honestly going there? Comparing Nani and Ronaldo? Come on

 

[Rado_N]

Yeah, it's hardly a coincidence that his most dangerous crosses into the box came in the period of the game when he had more than a single short-arse striker to try and pick out.

That is a good point but he is still very frustrating.

I often find myself getting really pissed off with him during a match and slagging him off a lot then watching it back and realising that I've been hard on him. Tonight was one of his more annoying performances because as you said he does all the hard work and then wastes it with a poor final ball so many times.

Still - he's started the season well so like I said in the match day forum I'm putting it down to an off night and hoping he'll bounce back.

 

[Cina]

That's because no one else can do them besides Giggs. Carrick had a go, as did Rooney and they weren't any good. The nearest we've got when Giggs isn't on is Nani.

Don't be daft, any wide player should be able to take a good corner, seeing as crossing is one of their most important characteristics.

 

[Godfather]

I remember a number of occasions where we've had Rooney and Berbatov on the pitch in the box and he's still failed to deliver anything decent. It's not just the fans that get frustrated at him, the players do as well. The amount of times you see Rooney and Berbatov throwing their hands in the air after they've worked their arses off running into the box and Nani tries to be a show pony with his little flicks and ball rolls and by the time he's actually looked up and gone to cross it he's either dispossessed, hammered the ball against the nearest defender or done an ineffectual cross to the near post.

Probably Nani knows about Berbatov's heading skills

 

[Cina]

Are you honestly going there? Comparing Nani and Ronaldo? Come on

He's not comparing them at all, just pointing out the fact that even the worlds best player has frustrated the shit out of us before, I believe.

 

[esmufc07]

If that's the case then we're in trouble aren't we, because he's easily the most talented winger we have. I've no idea where you're getting the 1 in 20 crosses thing, why the feck would SAF let him take the corners if that were the case? Nani usually produces great crosses. I actually didn't think his crossing was bad tonight, it was certainly better than any that Valencia tried to put in. We had 10 men on the pitch, and usually only one player in the box, a relatively small player, how do you expect his crosses to be lethal in those situations?

Oh, and let's not forget the fact that he's more of a left winger than a right winger too, considering he was on the right tonight.

Can't believe he's getting such stick to be honest, considering he was our best player in an otherwise poor attack tonight.

Don't know if you watch the same games as me, but I'd imagine you are in a minority in thinking that.

And see Domzi's response for why he takes corners; there is no-one else to. We've tried Rooney and Carrick, and neither whip in particularly great balls.

 

[Domzi]

Don't be daft, any wide player should be able to take a good corner, seeing as crossing is one of their most important characteristics.

Well why did Valencia never take them for Wigan?

 

[Godfather]

Are you honestly going there? Comparing Nani and Ronaldo? Come on

True. There's nothing more out of this world.

 

[esmufc07]

Don't be daft, any wide player should be able to take a good corner, seeing as crossing is one of their most important characteristics.

Exactly.

And Nani's crossing is nowhere near as it should be for a United player.

 

[Domzi]

He's not comparing them at all, just pointing out the fact that even the worlds best player has frustrated the shit out of us before, I believe.

Yes, but you could see the huge leaps that Ronaldo was taking every year. So far the opposite has applied to Nani. The first year there were promising signs, whilst last season he seemed to go way backwards in terms of progress. This season I see nothing new.

 

[Rooney1987]

Don't know if you watch the same games as me, but I'd imagine you are in a minority in thinking that.

We all must be watching different games if you think everytime you've seen Nani this season he's been poor.

 

[Cina]

Well why did Valencia never take them for Wigan?

Because Koumas had been taking them at Wigan before Valencia ever went there?

What a fecking stupid thing to say.

 

[Godfather]

Exactly.

And Nani's crossing is nowhere near as it should be for a United player.

That's why he takes our corners I guess

 

[Boss]

Ronaldo was challenging for World player of the year at 21, I never understand the comparisons with Nani.

 

[Masterplan]

he was pretty terrible today i thought, very frustrating, he wasnt up against much, i watched elokobi playing for colchester for 2 or 3 years or so, he is never premiership quality. Nani should moved foward while attacking him instead of just standing there trying to do tricks, he easily had the pace to outrun him.

 

[esmufc07]

That's why he takes our corners I guess

So are you happy with the standard and consistency of Nani's ability to place a good ball into the box?

 

[Cina]

Yes, but you could see the huge leaps that Ronaldo was taking every year. So far the opposite has applied to Nani. The first year there were promising signs, whilst last season he seemed to go way backwards in terms of progress. This season I see nothing new.

fecking hell, we're just over a month into the season, Nani has played 5 or 6 games and generally been good and consistent (something he lacked in the past) and you're saying he's going backwards?

This really is pointless.

 

[Ekeke]

plenty of times, yes. He had a frustrating night tonight in a position that he doesnt often play, against a big physical defender who doesnt even get booked for kicking him when the ball was gone, but when Valencia came on he didnt have all his own way against him either and lost some of his confrontations. I think the fullback tonight is going to annoy a lot of wingers this season.

As well, there was very little inspiration coming from the central areas and Welbeck was in and out of the match on the left, it was almost as if we were just looking at Nani to create something for most of the match instead of him being just one of our offensive weapons. He's a good player but I doubt he's ready for that kind of responsibility just yet.

 

[Count Duckula]

Are you honestly going there? Comparing Nani and Ronaldo? Come on

He's not comparing them at all, just pointing out the fact that even the worlds best player has frustrated the shit out of us before, I believe.

Thankyou cina. You make it sound, Domzi, as if the fact that we find Nani very frustrating on occasion means he's "not United quality". I was merely pointing out that one of the best players who ever played for this club was frequently the source of immense frustration for both us the fans and his own teammates.

 

[Domzi]

Because Koumas had been taking them at Wigan before Valencia ever went there?

What a fecking stupid thing to say.

Yes, but what they way you said it made it seem like it was the divine right of every winger to take the corners. Just because you play on the wing doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be able to whip in a good corner.

 

[jgraham]

he was pretty terrible today i thought, very frustrating, he wasnt up against much, i watched elokobi playing for colchester for 2 or 3 years or so, he is never premiership quality. Nani should moved foward while attacking him instead of just standing there trying to do tricks, he easily had the pace to outrun him.

He did a number of times, he wasn't terrible at all today.

I'm sure i've watched a different game tonight!

 

[esmufc07]

fecking hell, we're just over a month into the season, Nani has played 5 or 6 games and generally been good and consistent (something he lacked in the past) and you're saying he's going backwards?

This really is pointless.

How has he been generally good and consistent? The only thing he has been consistent in is delivering shit balls.

As Domzi said, first year he looked good and promising, second year he was pretty awful and this season, whilst to early to judge him for definite, looks like he hasn't improved at all.

 

[Godfather]

So are you happy with the standard and consistency of Nani's ability to place a good ball into the box?

yes....what I'm still not happy about though is his decision making

we almost scored from one of his crosses today, but nevermind

 

[Brophs]

Because Koumas had been taking them at Wigan before Valencia ever went there?

What a fecking stupid thing to say.

Jason Koumas that couldn't get in their team half the time?

 

[Cina]

So are you happy with the standard and consistency of Nani's ability to place a good ball into the box?

I'm not sure anyone has said they were, to be honest. The only way to get better as a corner taker, FK taker, penalty taker etc is to keep taking.

Remember how shit Ronaldos free kicks used to be?

Nani is more than able to swing in good corners and crosses, and he's shown that on quite a few occasions, but naturally he's not going to be perfect at it yet. I still stand by the fact that he is the best corner taker we have, bar Giggsy.

 

[Scholesy]

I am very very suprised by this thread.

I said I had never seen a change of opinion on a player so quickly, when at the start of the season, most of you who had probably doubted him in the past, claimed that now Ronaldo was gone, he was performing much better, and must play in every game.

It now seems some of you have gone back to your old opinions.

 

[Domzi]

Thankyou cina. You make it sound, Domzi, as if the fact that we find Nani very frustrating on occasion means he's "not United quality". I was merely pointing out that one of the best players who ever played for this club was frequently the source of immense frustration for both us the fans and his own teammates.

And as I pointed out in a previous post, with Ronaldo you could see the progress he was making. Nani, however, has not really done anything this season that he didn't do in the small amount of cameos he made in his first season, despite starting a number of games.

 

[jgraham]

How has he been generally good and consistent? The only thing he has been consistent in is delivering shit balls.

As Domzi said, first year he looked good and promising, second year he was pretty awful and this season, whilst to early to judge him for definite, looks like he hasn't improved at all.

Sorry Elvis but i can't help but think your talking bollocks.

yes his final ball needs working on, but overall this season theres been a marked improvement from nani - if it continues that way then he will be a first choice winger before the season is out.

I know you said earlier you hope to be proven wrong - i'm sure you will be.

 

[izzydiggler]

Thought he played well very well up until that final ball which (as often) just wasn't there. What has pleased me this season is he definitely seems to have gone up a level to last season, although it's disappointing that he isn't considerably further on than when we signed him. Has all of the required attributes to be a top class winger but still lacks that final piece at the minute but he's still young and willhopefully improve.

On another note, I'm not sure whether it's a lack of experience, confidence etc but when he plays against the 'lower' teams with lesser players, he seems much more 'up' for attacking the full back. Of course it could be that the better players are better at defending against him, but I think that there seems to be the 'I have to be the man' attitude when he's playing in the games where the likes of Rooney are rested but when he's playing in the first team there's a (relative) lack of 'guile etc'. Could be a coincidence or just complete bollocks but it's something that I've wondered.

 

[Masterplan]

He did a number of times, he wasn't terrible at all today.

I'm sure i've watched a different game tonight!

yeah thats when the ball was played over the top or through the defence, but when nani was on the touchline, he always seemed to try and do some tricks and ended up passing back to neville.