lythamblue wrote:Why is it, when he doesn't run around the pitch juggling the ball whilst doing 4 step overs before he overhead kicks the ball into the top corner of the net .... everyone (mainly the media) sas he has had a shit game???
I'll tell you why ..... it's because he is one of the most talented players on the planet and therefore that is what people are expecting him to do every game, and therefore he disappoints when it doesn't happen.
However, he will only do the sublime around half a dozen times a season and that will probably be worth around 6 extra points to any team he is playing for. The rest of the time he will just be a good attacking option who will score and create no more or no less than any other player in our side.
When you watch him live (not on telly) watch the runs he makes and the space he creates for others, plus he scares the bollox out of the opposition and makes them change the way they play and interrupts their systems.
As to the tracking back, well he is never going to be good at that, neither is Messi, Kaka or Ronaldo but no one picks on them for it. When you play with someoe like him on the team, you just have to accept that when you haven't got the ball you are playing with 10 men and the others are going to have to work harder to compensate. However, when you have got the ball ..... it's like playing with 12 men, because he is capable of doing absulutely anything with it.
He ain't a left winger, right winger, creative midfielder, support striker, target striker et all. He is Robinho, you let him roam the pitch doing whatever feels natural and let him find a way to create havoc wherever he plays.
So ..... is he a luxury? Yes, off course he is ..... but one we can and must afford to have in the team and make whatever sacrifices and compensation we need to accommodate him.
Apart from all the above, he is still the only player we have that is capable of those jaw dropiing moments that can be worth the entrance money on their own.
An excellent post. Re the last sentence, I think Ade is also capable of that as well.
Within the general debate I think Ireland's position has changed since last season and he is now playing much more deeper. I know see him playing in front of defence rather than behind the attack (subtle I know). I am not sure that is where he wants to be or where he is best at.