Rafael

He's obviously not the finished article yet, and won't be for years, but it's amazing how he doesn't look out of place in this team. It's staggering how little football him and his brother have played competitively, even in comparison to other youngsters of their age group.

Certainly a special talent.
 
I've noticed a lot of goals conceded have come from that area recently - certainly not saying it's all Rafa's fault because the alternatives haven't exactly shone.

Fergie's remarks that Rafa reall will benefit from these games against players like Ronaldinho and that he's a "fantastic" prospect indicate his long term intentions.
 
Denis' cuff said:
I've noticed a lot of goals conceded have come from that area recently - certainly not saying it's all Rafa's fault because the alternatives haven't exactly shone.
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It could imply that the opposition target that flank, it would certainly be interesting to see whether that is backed up by the stats. It's seems an obvious choice to focus on attacking down the non-Evra side.
 
Laphroaig said:
It could imply that the opposition target that flank, it would certainly be interesting to see whether that is backed up by the stats. It's seems an obvious choice to focus on attacking down the non-Evra side.
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yep - true, but we do need to stiffen up on that side

I first noticed it with Agbonlahor's goal at OT (although I think that might've been from a corner????). It had been occurring a bit up until then and I've deffinitely noticed since. Don't have any stats though.
 
Denis' cuff said:
yep - true, but we do need to stiffen up on that side

I first noticed it with Agbonlahor's goal at OT (although I think that might've been from a corner????). It had been occurring a bit up until then and I've deffinitely noticed since. Don't have any stats though.
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I can't say I have the stat's, but if we look at the situation now and previous seasons, we'll probably find a reason to explain this. I know recently that Valencia has started to track back, and probably does so a much as Ronaldo, but full backs would be wary of over lapping and attacking our full back down that side with Ronaldo ready to exploit the space they've left. Valencia is good, but he hasn't created a fear about himself. Neither Ronaldo or Valencia tracked back as well as Beckham, nor are they as good at tackling as Beckham was, add to that the reliability we had of Neville, seeing our right side exploited like it has this season is almost something new from over the past 15 years or so, and thus it's easy to spot.

However, Rafa has I noticed in his last few games started to hold back on the bombing forward, he's now thinking when would be best to go and when not. That comes from experience and listening to coaches and others around him. He seems to be learning, it's now a matter of appying it to match situations and a run without injuries, which he and his brother seemingly can't put together.
 
A lot of our goals come from the right wing. Teams play to both their strengths and opposing team's weaknesses. Obviously ours is the right side of our defense. A young player still learning his trade and a old warhorse on seemingly his last legs.

I think for majority of the games, even for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, Rafael will be fine as they aren't that potent on the left side. Against a Chelsea or Milan though I'd go for Brown - strong and more unlikely to get caught up for defensive lapses.

Still think every time I watch Rafael, he seems to have grown in his game. The positional boo boos still happen but, he more and more he does the fundamentals right. With the help of Valencia right now, what defensive liability can be masked to a degree and he offers hell of a lot going forward as well.

BTW - watching the CC Final again, I really am pissed off at A. Young. There was a time that Rafael was getting past him and fortunately he moved his leg just enough but, Young looked like he intentionally tried to hurt the kid. After his reckless challenge in the league that didn't even get a card (and gave them a throw) and now that, I won't shed a tear if someone does some serious damage to him.
 
evra said:
I'm trying to think of a better young right-back anywhere, the best I've come up with is Santon and I don't think that's cut and dry - have I forgotten anyone?
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I'm sure there are dozens of clubs that believe they have got a really good young full back on their books.

Rafael has made huge improvements this year. He's still got a lot to prove though.
 
charleysurf said:
Seamus Coleman
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When he plays for Everton it's in Midfield. At the moment he's got a touch of the Gareth Bale syndrome. Looks great going forward but looks like Glen Johnson when asked to defend.
 
Kelly at Liverpool looks pretty good. Early days though.
 
Blair said:
César Azpilicueta?
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Havent seen him in France this season except for 1 match, but I saw plenty of him in la liga and a couple of matches for the Spain under 21s. He's been one of the best young players in la liga, but he's not as good as Rafael.
 
Young Promising Fullbacks

- Jerome Boateng (Germanay & Citeh)

- Fabio Contrerao (Portugal)

- Another Brazilian rightback who plays for a German league side. Has curly air, whips in very good crosses. Cant remeber his name
 
Longlivekeano said:
Young Promising Fullbacks

- Jerome Boateng (Germanay & Citeh)

- Fabio Contrerao (Portugal)

- Another Brazilian rightback who plays for a German league side. Has curly air, whips in very good crosses. Cant remeber his name
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Boateng is 22.

I've heard of a "Young Promising" playmaker called Lionel Messi, think he might be decent.
 
Decotron said:
Cant say ive seen that myself.
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Coleman has been lucky with a couple decisions. Should have got a straight red for a blatant foul on Nolan from behind when he was clean through, not sure how on earth the ref judged him to have won the ball. A week later he got away with a handball in the box too. It's only a couple of examples so too early to give a proper assessment of course.

1100-something posts in this thread and my first post is about Seamus Coleman. So, erm, yeah, Rafael is awesome.
 
Rafael is in the squad to face Argentina in Doha next month - good to see.
 
Bump.

A little worried his form may have suffered from his injury. But he was my MOM today, some great crosses in the last 20mins of the game too! He really is some prospect.
 
He was superb today, strong defensively and delivered some excellent crosses, everything is falling into place.
 
It's amazing how much he's improved defensively. Doesn't fly in as much and is more likely to take the ball off his opponent.
 
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