tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post6924739742444669842..comments2023-11-15T11:47:05.697+00:00Comments on Manchester United blog..: No money to spend: It's time for Fergie to think outside the box and play Rafael in midfield...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-72957407518052182852010-06-05T13:18:27.569+01:002010-06-05T13:18:27.569+01:00Rafael in midfield would mean his toughening up co...Rafael in midfield would mean his toughening up considerably. It would take time and Im not sure if Fergie will do that, another club maybe. <br /><br />Also, I'd like to say that if Fletcher does not possess adequate distribution skills as you say, he has worked himself into an important player for us. I think you'll agree his harrying and energy has been vital to United on many Rongmonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17485266325522837562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-20109664298327333782010-05-27T19:13:50.528+01:002010-05-27T19:13:50.528+01:00Dave,
I agree. Regarding Fletcher missing out on ...Dave,<br /><br />I agree. Regarding Fletcher missing out on the CL final, you are right, but that still doesn't make him a world-beater. He wouldn't hold down a regular starting place in Chelsea's midfield of that I'm certain. <br /><br />Fletcher loses the ball too much that is his single biggest fault. The rest of his game isn't too bad, he chips in some important goals and James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-78503279240047876012010-05-27T19:01:13.596+01:002010-05-27T19:01:13.596+01:00I was never a fan of Fletcher. It was actually the...I was never a fan of Fletcher. It was actually the champions league final against barca that changed my opinion of him... found myself wishing the guy was playing and since then I have warmed to the idea of him being our best central midfielder. I wouldnt say that was down to footballing ability but more down to his attitude and that he does work his ass off and give 100% commitment when hes on Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383819716333839164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-45153820963406128852010-05-27T18:56:02.207+01:002010-05-27T18:56:02.207+01:00Matthew,
I happen to believe Rafael is wasted at ...Matthew,<br /><br />I happen to believe Rafael is wasted at fullback, his natural attacking instincts make him more suited to an advanced position. Time will tell, but I predict he will end up in midfield, be that at United or elsewhere. Carrick tackles poorly, but his passing is better than Fletcher. IMO Rafael can do better than both of them.<br /><br />Rafael started out as a winger.James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-7292368436364516582010-05-27T17:49:47.999+01:002010-05-27T17:49:47.999+01:00He can be as technical he wants compared to Fletch...He can be as technical he wants compared to Fletcher and Carrick, that will not help him as a central midfielder unless he learns to position himself better on the pitch. In addition, his way of crossing the ball is of far better use out wide, because of the way he "whips" the ball in. His vision leaves a lot to be desired, and he'll have a tough time winning headers in the central Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793753149987795436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-12339353791645674272010-05-27T17:38:18.789+01:002010-05-27T17:38:18.789+01:00Matthew,
Rafael isn't gung-ho, he was very un...Matthew,<br /><br />Rafael isn't gung-ho, he was very unlucky to be sent off against Bayern (read my replies). He's technically better than Carrick and Fletcher in aspects of football skills.James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-70575052192071659792010-05-27T15:44:57.952+01:002010-05-27T15:44:57.952+01:00The combination of his temperament, his Gung-Ho st...The combination of his temperament, his Gung-Ho style of defending and lack of positional awareness would cause big problems. I don't think he's a realistic alternative to the central midfielder position. Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Hargreaves, Scholes, Giggs, Gibson are all way better in this position due to their vision, positioning and general use of the ball. If anything, the twins Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00793753149987795436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-36936891727694296872010-05-27T11:07:02.128+01:002010-05-27T11:07:02.128+01:00surja,
I have been watching United since 1969 and...surja,<br /><br />I have been watching United since 1969 and I see most game. No, I'm not kidding. Fletcher is a very average player. He can run all day long, but that doesn't make you the ideal central midfield player.<br /><br />I seriously doubt Fletcher would get in Chelsea's midfield.James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-82243751188957252382010-05-27T11:05:03.496+01:002010-05-27T11:05:03.496+01:00admufc,
Yes, that is what I'm advocating.admufc,<br /><br />Yes, that is what I'm advocating.James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-92186194064397890142010-05-27T11:04:18.613+01:002010-05-27T11:04:18.613+01:00Firstcoastrealtor.
See my comments about the semi...Firstcoastrealtor.<br /><br />See my comments about the semi final in my reply to Dave. I think Rafael was extremely unlucky in that semi-final, because the referee booked him for retaliation (ie the second offence) when he'd been fouled on the first booking. Then Rafael was booked for the first offence against Ribery and the referee ignored Ribery's retaliation. I'd also like to addJames Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-51045569686915148652010-05-27T10:55:47.470+01:002010-05-27T10:55:47.470+01:00Dave,
IF you compare Rafael to someone like Xavi ...Dave,<br /><br />IF you compare Rafael to someone like Xavi then yes I think he could certainly cut it in midfield. United need players who can retain the ball, pass it well and tackle. Rafael is technically better than Fletcher and Carrick. IF and it's a big IF, Hargreaves makes a full recovery, I'd look to ditch Fletcher (bench) and Carrick (offload) and play with Rafael, Hargreaves, James Ryddel - Editorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341271207454849421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-88687744931201788002010-05-27T07:03:48.653+01:002010-05-27T07:03:48.653+01:00u r kidding right??..."fletcher's distrib...u r kidding right??..."fletcher's distribution is poor"..????? u sure u wactched united all term???Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18059649743133750649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-86554220282212245572010-05-27T06:11:08.797+01:002010-05-27T06:11:08.797+01:00When you say 'playing rafael in midfield',...When you say 'playing rafael in midfield',surely you don't mean as a central midfielder right?admufchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755675469703759978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-53165250791694571392010-05-26T22:38:05.770+01:002010-05-26T22:38:05.770+01:00I agree with the assessment of Rafael as a possibl...I agree with the assessment of Rafael as a possible midfielder. He would , however have to improve his temperament. he clearly cost us a place in the Champions League Semi Final with his rash sending off, and has looked suspect on other occasions. This being said, it is harder to put the "fight into the dog" than take it out. His brother Fabio is regarded more of a midfield player. He firstcoastrealtorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01773804003923774432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33581513.post-66446753451116339422010-05-26T21:38:56.088+01:002010-05-26T21:38:56.088+01:00Interesting theory.
Do you think he has the streng...Interesting theory.<br />Do you think he has the strength and build to cut it in the midfield tho?Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07383819716333839164noreply@blogger.com