Other Games 2014-15

[lovejoy]

Cavani banged in 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, 19 in 25 in Europe, playing exclusively as a striker, so I'm not quite sure how that could be regarded as fuck all. He's done alright at PSG for someone who mostly plays out wide in support of Zlatan. I think he's the sort of player who needs to play through the middle every week, rather than every now and then as an understudy, to be at his best.

This.

People are too quick to form opinions by watching a small number of matches. He is a top, top player.

He'll never be a top, top, top player.

In your opinion. He's been top scorer in Serie A plus got 78 goals in 104 matches. To me that makes him a top player.

[Dave]

Cavani banged in 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, 19 in 25 in Europe, playing exclusively as a striker, so I'm not quite sure how that could be regarded as fuck all. He's done alright at PSG for someone who mostly plays out wide in support of Zlatan. I think he's the sort of player who needs to play through the middle every week, rather than every now and then as an understudy, to be at his best.

This.

People are too quick to form opinions by watching a small number of matches. He is a top, top player.

He'll never be a top, top, top player.

In your opinion. He's been top scorer in Serie A plus got 78 goals in 104 matches. To me that makes him a top player.

I think it was the Jamie Redknappism that he was getting at rather than anything to do with Cavani.

[paul_e]

Cavani banged in 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, 19 in 25 in Europe, playing exclusively as a striker, so I'm not quite sure how that could be regarded as fuck all. He's done alright at PSG for someone who mostly plays out wide in support of Zlatan. I think he's the sort of player who needs to play through the middle every week, rather than every now and then as an understudy, to be at his best.

This.

People are too quick to form opinions by watching a small number of matches. He is a top, top player.

For me he's a lot like Harry Kane, he's a good finisher and in form he'll score goals.  He's also reasonably tidy around the park, nothing special but can pick it up and play a few passes and get involved.  He's also willing to run all day and work to win the ball back as well as trying to find space.  However both of them will suffer at times, against teams who setup well, because they've got no meaningful pace and don't have the bit of extra brilliance that someone like Zlatan, Suarez, etc can provide.  Without one or both of those it's just a bit too easy to be contained.

Both of them also have that really uncomfortable 'look' about them when they have the ball as if they're never really in control and it could bobble away to a defender at any moment, which makes them look rushed all the time, compare it to the comfortable swagger of, for example, Grealish and it's easy to understand why people would say they look shit.

[passitsideways]

I suppose it depends on what Serie A really is like these days. If we're going by the stereotype that even though it's generally inferior to the other three major leagues right now the defences are still crafty and difficult to break down, then Cavani managing to plunder as many as he did for three straight seasons while he was there (even when he was at Palermo and playing as a wide forward, he managed decent numbers) surely indicates his consistency when it comes to scoring them (and not just a case of being in brilliant form.)

Plus, having looked at his goal reel from Napoli, it seems like he scored plenty from outside of the box. Liked this one in particular:

[ozzjim]

I will openly admit I have only ever seen him in big games - so CL games or International games, probably 6-10 games over the last 3 years or so, but I am yet to watch him and think wow, that is a £50m player. He might come to the prem and prove me wrong, but it is all opinions on what we see.

[Chris Jameson]

Cavani banged in 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, 19 in 25 in Europe, playing exclusively as a striker, so I'm not quite sure how that could be regarded as fuck all. He's done alright at PSG for someone who mostly plays out wide in support of Zlatan. I think he's the sort of player who needs to play through the middle every week, rather than every now and then as an understudy, to be at his best.

This.

People are too quick to form opinions by watching a small number of matches. He is a top, top player.

He'll never be a top, top, top player.

In your opinion. He's been top scorer in Serie A plus got 78 goals in 104 matches. To me that makes him a top player.

I think it was the Jamie Redknappism that he was getting at rather than anything to do with Cavani.

It was, and I notice he's already been downgraded to just the one 'top'.

[adrenachrome]

Cavani banged in 104 goals in 138 games for Napoli, 19 in 25 in Europe, playing exclusively as a striker, so I'm not quite sure how that could be regarded as fuck all. He's done alright at PSG for someone who mostly plays out wide in support of Zlatan. I think he's the sort of player who needs to play through the middle every week, rather than every now and then as an understudy, to be at his best.

This.

People are too quick to form opinions by watching a small number of matches. He is a top, top player.

He'll never be a top, top, top player.

In your opinion. He's been top scorer in Serie A plus got 78 goals in 104 matches. To me that makes him a top player.

I think it was the Jamie Redknappism that he was getting at rather than anything to do with Cavani.

It was, and I notice he's already been downgraded to just the one 'top'.

He will never be top top top and top top maybe pushing it, but surely we can grant him tip top status.

[peter w]

Whenever his team score a goal Messi always looks delighted. Whenever Ronaldo's team scores he almost looks pissed off that he isn't the centre of attention. Messi looks like he just loves playing football.

And that's why I think Messi is a better player, he makes decisions based on what's best for Barcelona, Ronaldo makes decisions based on what is best for Ronaldo.

Being disliked and being a team player doesn't alter how good the individual is.

Completely disagree on the latter, being a team player in a team sport is massively important.

More assists, more passes (generally more involved when there's not a scoring chance on) and the key one for me is Messi is fantastic at beating his man with skill, Ronaldo is very quick and gets a lot of balls in behind to run on to but he doesn't beat his man all that often.  I'd rather see someone turn a defender inside out than see them beat the offside trap.  Of course in terms of pure brilliance Zlatan is better than both but he hasn't got the work rate or consistency to compete, at his best he's better than either though, in my opinion.

That's a different point altogether although obviously correct. the ballon d'or and various lists of best all time players are not voted for or picked depending on an individuals teamwork but on their individual brilliance. that is what I'm talking about here. Therefore as correct as your point is its rather a moot one. Although conversely it could be argued that Ronaldo's selfishness helps the team more than an ability to be more part of it as its that selfishness that makes them win.

[UK Redsox]

After yesterday's Champions League goal fest, tonight notsomuch

[Rudy65]

I thought I was alone in my complete amazement at the world falling about for the wonder of Cavani. Much like DiMaria for me, massively over hyped and produces bugger all.

Think it proves just how phenomenal Ronaldo and Messi have been for such a long time.

Di Maria and Cavani just dont do it often enough from what I have seen

[Rudy65]

After yesterday's Champions League goal fest, tonight notsomuch

Bit boring. They have already played each other 7 Times this season and it shows.

The champs league is getting boring anyway as it generally features the same teams as evidenced with the likely semi final teams this year

[timeoutbigbar]

Money well spent, Real.

[UK Redsox]

Arda Turan sent off for Atletico

[UK Redsox]

Pea boy scores for Real

[Chris Jameson]

I noticed that whilst the team celebrated with the goal scorer, Ronaldo was off celebrating by himself.