Rafael

What's the most impressive about Rafael is that he thrives on pressure, always seems to rise to the occasion and plays proportionally well to the importance of the game.

Wouldn't hesitate sticking him in the team in a CL final this season if he continues developing the defensive side of his game (Well, maybe, but you get the point).

And we've got his fecking twin. Too bad he's got the second coming of Christ ahead of him though, although Rafael and Fabio linking up on the right wing, how fecking cool wouldn't that be?
 
What's the most impressive about Rafael is that he thrives on pressure, always seems to rise to the occasion and plays proportionally well to the importance of the game.

Wouldn't hesitate sticking him in the team in a CL final this season if he continues developing the defensive side of his game (Well, maybe, but you get the point).

And we've got his fecking twin. Too bad he's got the second coming of Christ ahead of him though, although Rafael and Fabio linking up on the right wing, how fecking cool wouldn't that be?

There is no way Jesus had the pace or touch of Evra. If he had, at least one of the disciples would have mentioned it.

I actually reckon Jesus was probably pretty shit at football. Though he probably wouldve sold some shirts...
 
There is no way Jesus had the pace or touch of Evra. If he had, at least one of the disciples would have mentioned it.

I actually reckon Jesus was probably pretty shit at football. Though he probably wouldve sold some shirts...

hed be pretty nifty at supplying half time snacks for all the supporters tho
 
There is no way Jesus had the pace or touch of Evra. If he had, at least one of the disciples would have mentioned it.

I actually reckon Jesus was probably pretty shit at football. Though he probably wouldve sold some shirts...

Jesus was a good man to go up for a cross though...
 
Rafael's delivers a decent cross, that's one thing he's got over Evra.

Well, that and hair obviously.
 
Thought he had a decent game but was lightyears away from evra who im starting to think is our best player, oh yes. hes a machine.
 
Thought he had a decent game but was lightyears away from evra who im starting to think is our best player, oh yes. hes a machine.

Well he is about 9 years away from him actually so comparisons are a little harsh.

The lad has done as well as could be expected and perhaps better in terms of attacking contribution.

And since you mentioned Evra... have a look at his responses to his first game in England. Whilst it wasn't Rafael's debut he's had to deal with the same situation and seems to be doing just fine at the moment.
 
I love the way the lad plays football. Yeah, he'll make a few mistakes this season that could cost us dear. But the way he plays football with no fear and his love of going forward... feck it, I just want him to score more crackers! Should play in our next 2 games!
 
I love the way the lad plays football. Yeah, he'll make a few mistakes this season that could cost us dear. But the way he plays football with no fear and his love of going forward... feck it, I just want him to score more crackers! Should play in our next 2 games!

The only way that his defensive positioning and tackling will improve is through first team matches; as you say, I think the good outweighs the bad in this case and he should be given as many chances as possible.
 
Bloody nora, he's good at this football lark isn't he ?

Seems to be getting better every match

And still another half to go
 
Good half by him. One aspect though, he got caught out and didn't get back quick enough and Warnock was clear down the right.
 
2 fouls in the first 5 minutes, lost the ball twice in dangerous positions from trying to dribble and caught out of position by both Warnock and Olsson on one occasion which left Gibson all on his own to defend against them.

Needs to learn how to defend. This is a joke, he's played well.
 
Very good first half, his anticipation is absolutely brilliant.
It is however also quite crucial that he's got a 'defensively clever' player in front of him like Park or Gibson today who are able to cover for him when he's out on the rampage.

I want to adopt him.
 
I can imagine (i dont know) a young Evra was much like Rafael, great going forward but defensively a bit naive.

Hopefully Rafael can become just as good..
 
There's a very good chance he'll become even better than Evra.
 
2 fouls in the first 5 minutes, lost the ball twice in dangerous positions from trying to dribble and caught out of position by both Warnock and Olsson on one occasion which left Gibson all on his own to defend against them.

Needs to learn how to defend. This is a joke, he's played well.

All in all though he's no where near the finished article. He's a country mile ahead of schedule. Even someone like evra took time to get it right more often then not, and he had a lot more experience too boot

But he's exceptional and has shown a good consistancy. I still go back to a comment evra made. He said that Sir Alex asked him why he bought him - and basically Sir Alex liked the way he attacked.

I think his attacking ability is much more of a strength then any weakness he's shown so far and I think from full back he gives us a new dynamic which is why o'shea gets stick

Can't wait to watch the game later and I agree he has the potential to be a similar stature to evra. Almost cheating ain't it :)
 
All in all though he's no where near the finished article. He's a country mile ahead of schedule. Even someone like evra took time to get it right more often then not, and he had a lot more experience too boot

But he's exceptional and has shown a good consistancy. I still go back to a comment evra made. He said that Sir Alex asked him why he bought him - and basically Sir Alex liked the way he attacked.

I think his attacking ability is much more of a strength then any weakness he's shown so far and I think from full back he gives us a new dynamic which is why o'shea gets stick

Can't wait to watch the game later :D

All true.

Evra's defending at the start was exactly like Rafael's is now, so i'm sure he'll have learned a thing or two more about defending by this time next year.

And yes his attacking strengths do outweigh his defensive weaknesses, so really he should be our second choice right back until season's end, assuming Brown comes back fine, and he should get a fair few games this season.

Next season he can stake a claim for first choice.
 
Is that ever possible?

If so :drool:

It goes against the laws of logic, but this lad is something else in terms of potential. His attacking now is already up there with the best in the league, great crosser, very good dribbler, has the ability to pick out a pass and has the speed and stamina to get up and down without a problem.
 
It goes against the laws of logic, but this lad is something else in terms of potential. His attacking now is already up there with the best in the league, great crosser, very good dribbler, has the ability to pick out a pass and has the speed and stamina to get up and down without a problem.

I started a thread about this kid being special after a few minutes of his debut. :)
 
I started a thread about this kid being special after a few minutes of his debut. :)

I know, that was a bloody good call to.

You could see he was something special from that debut though, really just came out of nowhere.