Zabaleta- Cult hero

[phips]

love this guy. patiently waits for his turn in the squad and almost always puts in a great
shift when Bob does select him. the last 3 games he started were huge and he played great in all of em.
glad he got a goal vs. QPR.

[DoomMerchant]

Nothing "cult" about it.

He won't get a midnight movie from me. He is just a plain old fashioned hero.

Thank you sparky.

[Bianchi on Ice]

1-0 sunday with Zabs getting the winner would have done for me...but he wouldnt care about that..in fact as long as we won he probably wouldnt care if he never scored a goal again. His kind of professionalism spreads like wildfire through a squad more than unprofessianlism like Tevez's and thats what makes him so valuble and loved....the press/media wont say that though

[Dannyhig]

110 per cent everyweek zaba ... Will play threw anything broken nose black eye cut head ... WARRIOR ... Is a beta work 4 him

[sandman]

I think Zaba is one of our most reliable, most versatile and most intelligent players, Richards has all the pace and flair that a man in the stands wants to see, but Zaba has been our dependable big game player.

[Im_Spartacus]

He is the one man in the city squad you would want in the trenches with you

honest, reliable, solid

Normally those words would be used to describe "a good pro" but in the case of zabba, he has become much more than that in the last 12 months. I was a big critic of his back in the day of rash challenges and sendings off, and whilst im sure he still has those within himself, all credit to him and the coaching team for improving his game to the level that defensively i would put him on a par with Micah.

Having said that he is a regular in the Argentina side, which is more than can be said for Micah... were he english, i think his dependability would have had him in at right back for hodgson, capello etc ahead of all the others this last year or two.

He is a far better fullback than kolarov will ever be, and for a third of the price too, bargain - give that man a new contract

[littlebig]

What a proper deadly lad is our Zabba. I love the bloke to bits. It seems he shares a lot of the core values of our club with work in the community etc. He's a good fit for the club and an excellent ambassador too.

As a player he is not world class. He is a good player and he's consistent. Not the very best but he makes up for it with commitment, enthusiasm and great battling qualities. These values cannot be underestimated in any workplace.

I think his attitude rubs off on the rest of the squad so he's raising professional standards just by being there. I see him as a kind of glue which gels the squad together, you can't buy that.

Actually it's a good reflection on our fans that we do rate the likes of Zabba so highly. It shows we recognise and appreciate his brilliant qualities. In other words we're not a bunch of good time charlies. JS Park a fan favourite at OT? Dont think so

[Grob]

Zabs is a very good player, plays with the right spirit, plays well for the team first and foremost and comes accross as a thoroughly nice chap.

He's a key member of the squad and will be for years to come I hope.

[Mase]

A better version of Danny Tiatto. And I love him!!

[Crossie]

do doo dooo pablo zab-a-leta

[Dannyhig]

1 zaba 2 zaba 3 zabaleta 4 zaba 5 zaba 6 zabaleta

[Mikhail Chigorin]

He's such a valuable and valued member of the squad and, if the concerns that Big Nige might leave in the summer come to fruition, his overall versatility will stand us in even better stead.

Eventually, as well as filling in at right back when Micah is out, I think he has all the attributes to make the defensive midfield position his own and he might chip in with a goal or two from time to time, as I feel he packs a better, more controlled shot than Big Nige possesses. Gareth Barry, moreover, is not getting any younger which also broadens PabZab's scope in the middle of the park.

All in all, he's a fine all-rounder and we're more than fortunate to have him in the squad.

[Mase]

Best thing Corluka ever did was fuck off to Spuds. We wouldn't have Mad Zab now if he hadn't.

[phips]

really hope that we don't cash in on him to Barca for $$ to get Hazard and/or T. Silva. I hope the rumors of interest aren't true.
Zaba needs to stay and we need to keep him. Love this guy.

[Wonderwall]

Best thing Corluka ever did was fuck off to Spuds. We wouldn't have Mad Zab now if he hadn't.

Was sorry to see charlie go and he was very professional about it too in the interview after the europa game. However, his running style reminds me patricks current plight in his dash for the bogs

[Chinners]

Best thing Corluka ever did was fuck off to Spuds. We wouldn't have Mad Zab now if he hadn't.

Was sorry to see charlie go and he was very professional about it too in the interview after the europa game. However, his running style reminds me of Patricks [strike]current plight in his dash for the bogs[/strike]

The last 8 words are surplus to requirements ... think before you print.

[Wonderwall]

The last 8 words are surplus to requirements ... think before you print.

Sorry

[Chinners]

Heh heh

[1950]

Best thing Corluka ever did was fuck off to Spuds. We wouldn't have Mad Zab now if he hadn't.

Was sorry to see charlie go and he was very professional about it too in the interview after the europa game. However, his running style reminds me patricks current plight in his dash for the bogs

He also has some chronic problem with his heel I think & is constantly injured. Seems like Bayer Leverkusen won't sign him up on a permanent basis as a result, even though he looked really good in the games he was able to play. Could well have developed due to his weird running style.

I guess it worked out for the best tho, because Zabaleta is a class act. Love the guy to bits.

[Mike J]

Hard as fucking nails this lad. I love him. COuld of had his leg broken and just gets up and dusts himself off.