Rafael

amolbhatia100 · 30th October 2010, 19:33

He's dealt with some very very good players extremely well. In fact IMO his best performances have come against the better players a lot of people were worried how he'll perform against. Even against Ribery, although he got sent off, I thought he was great.

Was terrific tonight I thought. Gave Bale absolutely no space. Bale beat him once, I think, but other than that occasion he stuck to the Welshman like a magnet.

Definitely under the 'special' talent category for me.

Allforone · 30th October 2010, 19:38

Surprised when he came off, had Bale in his pocket all game, hope he wasnt injured.

032Devil · 30th October 2010, 19:41

He was great today. Kept Bale so quiet that I was wondering if he was playing or not after 20 minutes.

amolbhatia100 · 30th October 2010, 19:45

Funnily enough Wes actually seemed intent on getting forward more than Rafael.

Also, as he (Rafael) gradually starts feeling completely as ease defensively in England, we'll start seeing a lot more of his talents going forward.

charlenefan · 30th October 2010, 19:48

Rafa has been injured recently so maybe just easing him in?

Red Defence · 30th October 2010, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by 032Devil

He was great today. Kept Bale so quiet that I was wondering if he was playing or not after 20 minutes.

Was listening to the match on the radio, hardly ever heard Bale mentoned. I forgot he was playing.

championo · 30th October 2010, 19:53

His defending was refreshing. Long may it last. I have hated that retrieving moves of our recent right backs.

wr8_utd · 30th October 2010, 19:55

He's class. What a brilliant signing he's been. Talk about value.

Give him a 10 year deal incase Madrid becomes his dream in a few years.

Raees · 30th October 2010, 19:55

Good point about him raising his game against tough opponents, great quality to have.. some of his more dodgy displays have been against average widemen where he isn't sure whether to take the game to the opposition or sit back a tad and relax.

RedSky At Night · 30th October 2010, 19:56

Frankly, I was more worried when Brown came on the pitch.

Rafa's been brilliant in October. Long may it continue!

Scholesy · 30th October 2010, 19:56

He is an amazing player.

MadDogg · 30th October 2010, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSky At Night

Frankly, I was more worried when Brown came on the pitch.

Agreed. I thought, barring injury or general tiredness (he wasn't showing either), it was a bad decision by Fergie. Rafael had been one of our better players up to that stage and had almost entirely neutralised Bale.

Although on second thoughts, had Crouch come on at that stage? Maybe we wanted Brown on there for a bit more height?

Red_Aaron · 30th October 2010, 20:15

crouch wasn't on but Pav was and Fergie was obvioulsy expecting a bombardment late on

Rafa was excellent though, Bale had no answer to him

i another season or 2 he's gonna be some fullback this lad

Devil may care · 30th October 2010, 20:31

Very good game tonight, Bale only got any real foothold in the game when he started to drift central from receiving the ball. I'm hoping he went off for tactical reasons (Pav height) as opposed to an injury.

Neutral · 30th October 2010, 20:33

No injury, I think Rafael went off because he will start again on Tuesday night, plus Fergie thought maybe he was a bit tired, and with Brown being back now, it was a win win...

We all worried about Rafael, and it was Evra on the other side that was having the trouble

Commadus · 30th October 2010, 20:34

He is only 20 and especially for defenders they need time for their bodies to develop and strengthen.

Contrast this to the way Arsenal are handling Gibbs.

Raven Blade · 30th October 2010, 20:36

He seems to excel against the better opponents. A very useful quality to have.

Tonight he marked the attackers very tightly and gave them no space to operate. And of course his pace always got him out of potentially tricky situations. He's improved the defensive side of his game in such a short space of time. Dare I say it, he looks solid now. But I still want to see the attacking exuberance he displayed when he first came here. That will make him a complete player.

Allforone · 30th October 2010, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTV_is_neutral

No injury, I think Rafael went off because he will start again on Tuesday night, plus Fergie thought maybe he was a bit tired, and with Brown being back now, it was a win win...

We all worried about Rafael, and it was Evra on the other side that was having the trouble

To be fair Evras always struggled against Lennon, but today i thought he was excellent to, dont remember Lennon getting any change out of him today.

Spurs main threat came from Van Der Vaart and to a lesser extent Modric.

Neutral · 30th October 2010, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allforone

To be fair Evras always struggled against Lennon, but today i thought he was excellent to, dont remember Lennon getting any change out of him today.

Spurs main threat came from Van Der Vaart and to a lesser extent Modric.

1st half, he worked the little give and go 3 times, because Evra kept charging at him, and Lennon kept blowing past him, but in the 2nd half, that all changed.

Not totally his fault, Park drifting and popping up all over the place meant Evra was a bit exposed in the 1st half.

Allforone · 30th October 2010, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTV_is_neutral

1st half, he worked the little give and go 3 times, because Evra kept charging at him, and Lennon kept blowing past him, but in the 2nd half, that all changed.

Not totally his fault, Park drifting and popping up all over the place meant Evra was a bit exposed in the 1st half.

Yes i remember that one now, but in a sense thats whats most impressive, normally Evra really struggles against Lennon or at least Lennons given him some nightmares in the past and you'd be able to vividly remember at least 3 or 4 instances where Lennons got the better of him, but today i hardly saw Lennon all night, he was invisible for 90% of the match and thats great testament to God himself.

amolbhatia100 · 30th October 2010, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTV_is_neutral

1st half, he worked the little give and go 3 times, because Evra kept charging at him, and Lennon kept blowing past him, but in the 2nd half, that all changed.

Not totally his fault, Park drifting and popping up all over the place meant Evra was a bit exposed in the 1st half.

It's eerie how similar what I said half an hour back was. Even the wording!

wr8_utd · 30th October 2010, 20:48

Evra was very poor in the first half but improved a lot in the 2nd.

Neutral · 30th October 2010, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by amolbhatia100

It's eerie how similar what I said half an hour back was. Even the wording!

Back to the Future?

EdWeatherall · 30th October 2010, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allforone

To be fair Evras always struggled against Lennon, but today i thought he was excellent to, dont remember Lennon getting any change out of him today.

First half Lennon did well...well usual Lennon, give and go and shite cross, but second half it must have been about 70mins or something and he dribbled in field from his wing, not really threatening...but it must have been the first time I noticed him that half as it surprised me to be seeing him on the ball

But can only echo the surprise at Rafael coming off, hope it wasn't injury, as this past month, he's been very good, in particularly defensively and is making that RB spot his own

Allforone · 30th October 2010, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdWeatherall

First half Lennon did well...well usual Lennon, give and go and shite cross, but second half it must have been about 70mins or something and he dribbled in field from his wing, not really threatening...but it must have been the first time I noticed him that half as it surprised me to be seeing him on the ball

But can only echo the surprise at Rafael coming off, hope it wasn't injury, as this past month, he's been very good, in particularly defensively and is making that RB spot his own

I think today or at least id like to think today Rafael showed everyone hes easily the best right back at the club, hes a fabulous player, this is the same Gareth Bale who roasted Maicon in the San Siro a week ago, and yet Rafael had him well under control all evening, his defensive game has come on leaps and bounds.

I hope the lad gets a long run now, hes a level above anything else we've got competing for that role in my opinion.

Lester Freamon · 30th October 2010, 21:01

I'd be very surprised if Rafael isn't first choice by the end of the season. Excellent display today. Mature controlled defending combined with (often ignored) good attacking runs. I think he came off because SAF reckoned we would need the aerial strength of Brown. We didn't in the end.

R_Kelly · 30th October 2010, 23:23

He was bloody brilliant tonight, I love the kid and can't wait for that position to be his nailed on. Didn't understand the sub, but maybe SAF just wants to give Brown some minutes on the pitch.

Pogue Mahone · 30th October 2010, 23:28

Yeah was gonna start a thread about this.

Bale's a decent player but the hype was getting silly. That's nearly 180 consecutive minutes he's spent in the pocket of Pee Neville and Rafael, the chimpy faced gimp.

Fingers crossed wee Rafael didn't pick up a knock, that was an outstanding defensive performance.

Mind you, Wes is looking good too. His Scholesque scoop over the top to Nani hasn't been getting enough praise due to the farce that ensued.

Mick1991 · 30th October 2010, 23:30

He's gotten back that little bit of pace he lost when he was bulking up, it just gives him that little bit of impetus.

Dion · 30th October 2010, 23:30

Rio agrees and I agree with Rio.

Rafa da silva was Major 2day, defending was top drawer against the in form Bale. The defender in me made me highlight that!
about 1 hour ago via ÜberTwitter

Saying that Wes was excellent, good pair to have fighting for the rightback spot.

Cutch · 30th October 2010, 23:31

He looked so calm about the whole thing. Caf muppets (myself included) were getting into a frenzy on how Bale was going to tear us a new one and it was like Rafael didn't see what all the fuss was about. He just approaches every game the same.

He actually doesnt get enough credit at times for the quality of his defending.

Seveneric · 30th October 2010, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

Rio agrees and I agree with Rio.

Rafa da silva was Major 2day, defending was top drawer against the in form Bale. The defender in me made me highlight that!
about 1 hour ago via ÜberTwitter

Saying that Wes was excellent, good pair to have fighting for the rightback spot.

He really needs to slow down with these tweets

Ekeke · 30th October 2010, 23:42

He's been brilliant since his debut, and has had good performances against Robinho, Ronaldinho, Ribery and Bale. There arent too many better players who play wide left that he's yet to face.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 31st October 2010, 05:39

Bale was never going to trouble him.

AttackingFlair · 31st October 2010, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allforone

I think today or at least id like to think today Rafael showed everyone hes easily the best right back at the club, hes a fabulous player, this is the same Gareth Bale who roasted Maicon in the San Siro a week ago, and yet Rafael had him well under control all evening, his defensive game has come on leaps and bounds.

I hope the lad gets a long run now, hes a level above anything else we've got competing for that role in my opinion.

That is a myth really, he "roasted" or rather outpaced two players in their mid thirties in Zanetti and Cordoba. Maicon was playing on the wing when Bale scored 2 of his goals.

amolbhatia100 · 31st October 2010, 06:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogue Mahone

Yeah was gonna start a thread about this.

Bale's a decent player but the hype was getting silly. That's nearly 180 consecutive minutes he's spent in the pocket of Pee Neville and Rafael, the chimpy faced gimp.

Fingers crossed wee Rafael didn't pick up a knock, that was an outstanding defensive performance.

Mind you, Wes is looking good too. His Scholesque scoop over the top to Nani hasn't been getting enough praise due to the farce that ensued.

To be fair Bales better than decent. Tore into maicon the other week. He's young and young attackers usually take their time to start performing against bigger teams.

Rafael was.brilliant. I love his attitude. It was so clear that he was taking this as a challenge and was.determined to win. No half heartened, lazyness, not one iota. Brown was very good too. Our two best right back performances of the season and both in the same.game!

Devilton · 31st October 2010, 07:30

Was fantastic against Bale.

Going to be a great RB if he can keep improving and stay fit.

zain · 31st October 2010, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by amolbhatia100

To be fair Bales better than decent. Tore into maicon the other week. He's young and young attackers usually take their time to start performing against bigger teams.

Rafael was.brilliant. I love his attitude. It was so clear that he was taking this as a challenge and was.determined to win. No half heartened, lazyness, not one iota. Brown was very good too. Our two best right back performances of the season and both in the same.game!

agreed..

Brown's pass for the Nani penalty appeal was orgasmic...

MacMUFC · 31st October 2010, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekeke

He's been brilliant since his debut, and has had good performances against Robinho, Ronaldinho, Ribery and Bale. There arent too many better players who play wide left that he's yet to face.

I agree.

Still hasnt played Ronaldo or Messi yet though

Sultan · 31st October 2010, 07:38

Rafael came off due to injury.

He tried running it off, but did not work. Rio signalled to the bench for replacement.

30th October 2010, 19:33	#1 (permalink)
amolbhatia100 Has excellent taste in women Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: india Posts: 27,701	Rafael He's dealt with some very very good players extremely well. In fact IMO his best performances have come against the better players a lot of people were worried how he'll perform against. Even against Ribery, although he got sent off, I thought he was great. Was terrific tonight I thought. Gave Bale absolutely no space. Bale beat him once, I think, but other than that occasion he stuck to the Welshman like a magnet. Definitely under the 'special' talent category for me.

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30th October 2010, 19:38	#2 (permalink)
Allforone First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: United could spend £85million on David De Gea, Phil Jones, Ashley Young and Wesley Sneijder. Quote: Liverpool spent £85million on Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing. Posts: 11,646	Surprised when he came off, had Bale in his pocket all game, hope he wasnt injured.

30th October 2010, 19:41	#3 (permalink)
032Devil First Team Regular Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 19,325	He was great today. Kept Bale so quiet that I was wondering if he was playing or not after 20 minutes.

30th October 2010, 19:45	#4 (permalink)
amolbhatia100 Has excellent taste in women Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: india Posts: 27,701	Funnily enough Wes actually seemed intent on getting forward more than Rafael. Also, as he (Rafael) gradually starts feeling completely as ease defensively in England, we'll start seeing a lot more of his talents going forward.

30th October 2010, 19:48	#5 (permalink)
charlenefan First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 8,348	Rafa has been injured recently so maybe just easing him in?

30th October 2010, 19:53	#7 (permalink)
championo Top Stalker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: From Brazil but in School in the States Posts: 5,089	His defending was refreshing. Long may it last. I have hated that retrieving moves of our recent right backs.

30th October 2010, 19:55	#8 (permalink)
wr8_utd 1st wr8_muppetry Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 25,310	He's class. What a brilliant signing he's been. Talk about value. Give him a 10 year deal incase Madrid becomes his dream in a few years.

30th October 2010, 19:55	#9 (permalink)
Raees Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: Against criticism a man can neither protest nor defend himself; he must act in spite of it, and then it will gradually yield to him. Posts: 9,715	Good point about him raising his game against tough opponents, great quality to have.. some of his more dodgy displays have been against average widemen where he isn't sure whether to take the game to the opposition or sit back a tad and relax.

30th October 2010, 19:56	#10 (permalink)
RedSky At Night RTA waiting to happen Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nottingham Forest (in Soccer Manager League) Posts: 16,580	Frankly, I was more worried when Brown came on the pitch. Rafa's been brilliant in October. Long may it continue!

30th October 2010, 19:56	#11 (permalink)
Scholesy Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 'And Solskjær has won it' Posts: 9,509	He is an amazing player.

30th October 2010, 20:15	#13 (permalink)
Red_Aaron Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cowe gonna be chopps Posts: 1,852	crouch wasn't on but Pav was and Fergie was obvioulsy expecting a bombardment late on Rafa was excellent though, Bale had no answer to him i another season or 2 he's gonna be some fullback this lad

30th October 2010, 20:31	#14 (permalink)
Devil may care First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,327	Very good game tonight, Bale only got any real foothold in the game when he started to drift central from receiving the ball. I'm hoping he went off for tactical reasons (Pav height) as opposed to an injury.

30th October 2010, 20:33	#15 (permalink)
Neutral BTV Join Date: May 2010 Location: DC/Canberra/Dhaka Posts: 6,447	No injury, I think Rafael went off because he will start again on Tuesday night, plus Fergie thought maybe he was a bit tired, and with Brown being back now, it was a win win... We all worried about Rafael, and it was Evra on the other side that was having the trouble

30th October 2010, 20:34	#16 (permalink)
Commadus First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7,794	He is only 20 and especially for defenders they need time for their bodies to develop and strengthen. Contrast this to the way Arsenal are handling Gibbs.

30th October 2010, 20:36	#17 (permalink)
Raven Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Red till i'm dead.. Posts: 30,978	He seems to excel against the better opponents. A very useful quality to have. Tonight he marked the attackers very tightly and gave them no space to operate. And of course his pace always got him out of potentially tricky situations. He's improved the defensive side of his game in such a short space of time. Dare I say it, he looks solid now. But I still want to see the attacking exuberance he displayed when he first came here. That will make him a complete player.

30th October 2010, 20:48	#22 (permalink)
wr8_utd 1st wr8_muppetry Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 25,310	Evra was very poor in the first half but improved a lot in the 2nd.

30th October 2010, 21:01	#26 (permalink)
Lester Freamon Aka Caveman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Republik of Berbonia Posts: 6,824	I'd be very surprised if Rafael isn't first choice by the end of the season. Excellent display today. Mature controlled defending combined with (often ignored) good attacking runs. I think he came off because SAF reckoned we would need the aerial strength of Brown. We didn't in the end.

30th October 2010, 23:23	#27 (permalink)
R_Kelly No Lifer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: How do you expect to run with the wolves come night, when you spend all day sparring with the puppies? Posts: 38,660	He was bloody brilliant tonight, I love the kid and can't wait for that position to be his nailed on. Didn't understand the sub, but maybe SAF just wants to give Brown some minutes on the pitch.

30th October 2010, 23:28	#28 (permalink)
Pogue Mahone Poster of the year 2008 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: "like a man in silk pyjamas shooting pigeons from a deckchair" Posts: 59,522	Yeah was gonna start a thread about this. Bale's a decent player but the hype was getting silly. That's nearly 180 consecutive minutes he's spent in the pocket of Pee Neville and Rafael, the chimpy faced gimp. Fingers crossed wee Rafael didn't pick up a knock, that was an outstanding defensive performance. Mind you, Wes is looking good too. His Scholesque scoop over the top to Nani hasn't been getting enough praise due to the farce that ensued.

30th October 2010, 23:30	#29 (permalink)
Mick1991 First Team Sub Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 6,071	He's gotten back that little bit of pace he lost when he was bulking up, it just gives him that little bit of impetus.

30th October 2010, 23:30	#30 (permalink)
Dion Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,207	Rio agrees and I agree with Rio. Rafa da silva was Major 2day, defending was top drawer against the in form Bale. The defender in me made me highlight that! about 1 hour ago via ÜberTwitter Saying that Wes was excellent, good pair to have fighting for the rightback spot.

30th October 2010, 23:31	#31 (permalink)
Cutch Shit stirrer (Literally) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Ireland. W3101, Row 29, Seat 174 Posts: 5,498	He looked so calm about the whole thing. Caf muppets (myself included) were getting into a frenzy on how Bale was going to tear us a new one and it was like Rafael didn't see what all the fuss was about. He just approaches every game the same. He actually doesnt get enough credit at times for the quality of his defending.

30th October 2010, 23:42	#33 (permalink)
Ekeke First Team Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22,739	He's been brilliant since his debut, and has had good performances against Robinho, Ronaldinho, Ribery and Bale. There arent too many better players who play wide left that he's yet to face.

31st October 2010, 05:39	#34 (permalink)
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber Thus says Kemo Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Founder of IhateMakeleles.org and Gourcufffanboysareus.com Posts: 39,438	Bale was never going to trouble him.

31st October 2010, 07:30	#37 (permalink)
Devilton First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 6,127	Was fantastic against Bale. Going to be a great RB if he can keep improving and stay fit.

31st October 2010, 07:38	#40 (permalink)
Sultan السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing Posts: 31,452	Rafael came off due to injury. He tried running it off, but did not work. Rio signalled to the bench for replacement.