Earlier on another thread, there was a discussion about how much we would miss Rafael. Opinions ranged from not much to a hell of a lot.
Well I'd just to make the retrospective point that we missed him a hell of a lot today. Regardless of the fact that he is head and better than Valencia going forward, it needs to be pointed out that both Smalling's red and Aguero's goal came down the right hand side of our defence.
I'm not saying Rafael would have prevented both of these things from happening, but he would have had a go. Valencia however was nowhere to be found for either.
In light of this, and the fact that Rafael appears to be made of an extra brittle kind of glass; I think that one of the first things needed in January is some cover at right back.
Rafael
posted on 2/11/14
comment by Greg- (U1192)
posted 10 seconds ago
Fans on this board are laughable
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Mate, you just compared one if the best wide attacking players in the world with Nani! Take a look in the mirror.
posted on 2/11/14
Says the person that compared Di Maria with Nani.
Di Maria would get into most teams in Europe.
Nani managed to secure himself a LOAN to Sporting Lisbon.
posted on 2/11/14
comment by Earl Brutus (U1449)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Redastomatoes- FreeShinji! cleverson forever!If he is good enough he is ready! (U12026)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 6 minutes ago
I think Ivanovic gets overlooked / underrated a lot
quietly goes about being a rock defensively and a handful in the final 3rd
One of Chelsea's better signiings
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Best right back in the league for me.
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very good player who is constantly fouling yet somehow gets away with it
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Advantage of being a big full back. Can ease players off without it looking too bad. Very sound defensively though and attacks fullbacks like a midfielder.
posted on 2/11/14
Exactly.
One of the best wide players in the world you say
No more needs to be said
posted on 2/11/14
comment by Greg- (U1192)
posted 13 seconds ago
Exactly.
One of the best wide players in the world you say
No more needs to be said
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Name me 10 that are better. And please don't include Nani.
posted on 2/11/14
Not read responses to this thread but only the op's original post and I entirely agree. I know we have loads of defensive injuries but ffs we still playing players out of position, more than any other club these last seasons.
I would rather give a game to a young RB than have Valencia play there. He is brainless and doesn't understand the position at all.
I like Rafael but rumours are that LVG isn't convinced and the way he mentioned him being injured AGAIN suggests he has lost patience with him too.
Whilst LVG is manager I think Evans, Smalling, Jones, Rafael have massive fights to be first choice recognised CBs. He will buy a CB and possibly a RB in January I think
posted on 3/11/14
comment by Wonder Man (U11164)
posted 20 hours, 5 minutes ago
Van Gaal said he was injured in his pre match interview
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Even at United, that's a strange time to pick up an injury
posted on 3/11/14
gerrard almost injured himself in his post match interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tntt-WBsPuo
slippy
posted on 3/11/14
"I hope that's not on the telly."
posted on 4/11/14
I think we're missing the point here, Valencia's Philosophy is that by the end of the season his crosses will cause enough shin and knee injuries to our opponents to tip the balance in our favour....