: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:45 pm  

It goes on opinion and preference.

I think Robben (when fit) is a better player.

He's done alright with injuries this year, and has been one of Madrid's stars.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:45 pm  

Superbowl Scott wrote:

Strong rumours that Abramovich is ready to sell up to 5 businessmen in Germany. I think Wilkins will be in charge for a couple of months before this is sorted tbh.

Nah, he is leaving the club for his son to run.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:45 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

You said Crespo wasn't world class, which is completely wrong, as in his day, he was one of the best around.

Please answer my question: What has he done in the last two years? If he is wortld class he would still be an excellent player

Wide players I'd take over Robinho:

1) Ronaldo
2) Messi
3) Ribery
4) Robben

Ronaldo? Nowhere near as effective as Robihno at international level. I'll judge him once he has played in Spain (next season).

Messi? Best player in the world

Ribery? Don't be daft.

Robben? IMO he's the equal of Ronaldo

Interesting that you regard Robihno as an out-and-out winger. He's more of a forward. It's his best position. IMO he's the best No10 in the PL.

As for Mascherano, we're not talking midfielders as a whole, we're talking holding midfielders, he isn't that bad of a passer, he keeps it simple and gives it off to the better players, like Alonso and Gerrard. At holding the midfield, only Cambiasso and possibly De Rossi are up there with Mascherano. If you want to use Robinho being Brazil's 'talisman' as an excuse for him being so good, what about Masch? He's just become his countries captain, their leader!

Your specifying the type of midfielder. Can I say then that in terms of wingers, Robihno is the best 'predominantly right-footed but plays on the left and scores a few' in the world?

Robihno and Mascherano cannot be compared. Being a good tackler and keeping it simple doesn't make you one of the best players in the world. If it does, then you you are easily pleased. He can do a specific job and be effective, but never world class. Meanwhile Robihno has been excellent for Brazil - arguably the best team in the world.

Please explain how you can be top class and not be able to pass the ball consistently over 20 yards to a player in your own team?

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:50 pm  

Enfield Exile wrote:

Ribery? Don't be daft.

I don't think its daft to suggest Ribery is at least the equal of Robinho. He is the driving force behind both his club and country. Their over-reliance upon him was their downfall at Euro 2008.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:55 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

You said Crespo wasn't world class, which is completely wrong, as in his day, he was one of the best around.

Wide players I'd take over Robinho:

1) Ronaldo
2) Messi
3) Ribery
4) Robben


As for Mascherano, we're not talking midfielders as a whole, we're talking holding midfielders, he isn't that bad of a passer, he keeps it simple and gives it off to the better players, like Alonso and Gerrard. At holding the midfield, only Cambiasso and possibly De Rossi are up there with Mascherano. If you want to use Robinho being Brazil's 'talisman' as an excuse for him being so good, what about Masch? He's just become his countries captain, their leader!

As an out & out Winger, I'd take Walcott over him. I think Robinho is pretty poor out wide to be honest. I've not seem him cross a ball in or beat a man on the outside etc. I think Robinho is an off the frontman or even a frontman, just not in the 'English' sense of it. He scored his goals for City through the middle like, I haven't seen too many where he's cut in from the left and bent it into the top corner etc. I think if you asked Robinho to stay out wide you'd negate everything good about him, he doesn't keep his width, he's far more effective infield, Hughes offers him this flexibillity, years ago, I think we'd have called it a 'Free Role.

I think Robinho is an excellent footballer, you still worry about him this time of year, any Brazilian in English football really, you sense they'll dip this time of the year, he'll finish the season with City strongly you'd think say March onwards.

In terms of English football, the cut & thrust of nature of it, I think Walcott could well go an to be a real stand out player in our league. It's a shame he got injured when he was really showing signs of developing. He was arguably Arsenals biggest threat early doors this season.

Ribery is an excellent footballer, why people knock him (I think somebody has on this thread). He's picked Bayern Munich off the floor single handedly since returning from injury.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:08 pm  

EE, are you on a wind up mission today?

You will only judge Ronaldo when he's played in Spain? Have a word! Robinho is more effective at international level? Come on man, Robinho plays with better players and against inferior opposition at international level.

You're dismissal of Ribery has shown you up a bit on this thread fella. I know you're still a bit giddy, and are no doubt wearing a tea towel on your head as you type, but come back to the real world.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:09 pm  

RedTez wrote:

EE, are you on a wind up mission today?

You will only judge Ronaldo when he's played in Spain? Have a word! Robinho is more effective at international level? Come on man, Robinho plays with better players and against inferior opposition at international level.

You're dismissal of Ribery has shown you up a bit on this thread fella. I know you're still a bit giddy, and are no doubt wearing a tea towel on your head as you type, but come back to the real world.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:18 pm  

Robinho is wank.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:33 pm  

2 goals away from home this season (including one pen) would suggest that Robinho goes hiding now and again.

: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:37 pm  

JWP wrote:

As an out & out Winger, I'd take Walcott over him.

This England team is full of some incredible players. We now have a world class right-winger as well as producing the best goalkeepers, defenders (Terry, Ferdinand and Carragher), midfielders (Fwank and Gerrard), wingers (Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott) and strikers (Michael Owen). Surely we must be the best team in the world ever. We have had quality coaches likes Sven but we still look average. There must be a spell over us or somethink

I think Robinho is pretty poor out wide to be honest. I've not seem him cross a ball in or beat a man on the outside etc. I think Robinho is an off the frontman or even a frontman, just not in the 'English' sense of it. He scored his goals for City through the middle like, I haven't seen too many where he's cut in from the left and bent it into the top corner etc. I think if you asked Robinho to stay out wide you'd negate everything good about him, he doesn't keep his width, he's far more effective infield, Hughes offers him this flexibillity, years ago, I think we'd have called it a 'Free Role.

Robihno has beaten players outwide. Much more than Petrov did for us. It doesn't always work but still I think your point is incorrect about him not bneating a man on the outside. Robihno's best assets are his decision-making and first touch. I have honestly never seen a player in the Prem who has a better first touch. Berbatov is probably the next best in terms of first touch.

If memory serves, Robihno has scored about 3 goals coming in from the left. AS couple in the top right-hand corner.

It will be interesting to see what Hughes does when Petrov is fit. he may put Robihno upfront with a target man. Personally, I think that's the way to go.

In terms of English football, the cut & thrust of nature of it, I think Walcott could well go an to be a real stand out player in our league. It's a shame he got injured when he was really showing signs of developing. He was arguably Arsenals biggest threat early doors this season.

Walcott has raw talent but a terrible first touch. He'll need to imrpove that if he has any hope being a top player.