Comments on: “Languidity” – The Dimitar Berbatov Story

By: Shallowgirl

Shallowgirl — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:02:05 +0000

I don’t care how he plays, at last I have found a “love interest” to replace David Ginola!

By: George

George — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:44:07 +0000

There’s no doubting that Berbatov can be a genius on the ball. We’ve seen that in his Spurs days – he scores some unbelievable goals, and has immeasurable talent. However, I just don’t think he fits with the United system.

Berbatov is a guy who drops deep for the ball, but does bugger all work when it comes to the defensive side of the game. United also have Rooney, who also likes to drop deep for the ball. And Michael Owen, who these days comes a lot deeper than he used to. That’s three strikers dropping deep for the ball. So who’ve they got on the last man? No one. At Spurs, Berba played with Defoe, who sticks to the last man like superglue. With Berba dropping deep, Defoe could play off him and receive balls through from Berba himself, and the likes of Huddlestone in the midfield.

United need a striker who will play on the last man, and feed off Berbatov, Rooney, and Owen.

By: glamorousdiss

glamorousdiss — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:28:39 +0000

I thought when SAF wanted to give 20mil quid to us for Berba I said “TAKE IT LEVY!”. But we got 30mil and a shorter transfer window. BUT having said that, Spurs have not gotten the same dimension since he left.

Yes – he doesn’t run for the ball or closes down players. But his link up play spread defenses across the pitch, and left many thinking how they could stop him.

And I think he will come good because of the 4-4-2 system used at Spurs then and Leverkusen. So give him a chance. Or give him back. For cheap. LOL

By: maserati4200

maserati4200 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:24:04 +0000

An individual’s work rate means nothing if you have the right balance in the team.

Zidane’s water-carrier and minder was Didier Dechamps, i.e win the ball then give it to ZeeZou. It worked.

I wouldn’t put Berba anywhere near the same class as Zindane but the principle works in a team which is balanced.

Discuss.

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:11:57 +0000

To continue the pro-Berba rant from above, since we will be sticking to a more rigid 4-4-2 this year, we need Berba’s stature and ability to flick due to the increased number of crosses into the box in the game versus Birmingham and the rest of the season

By: Elliott

Elliott — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:07:07 +0000

You cant know Berba, hes made four passes to his own team already this season, thats two up from last.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:55:21 +0000

Great minds, Colin.

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:40:42 +0000

Looks like I was late with the assists stat…

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:39:54 +0000

Let’s not forget that Berba had the second most assists in the Premiership last year. I think people had unfiar expectations of him after watching Tevez and Rooney play together in 2007.

Berba has never had a high work rate so we shouldn’t try to change his demeanor. Fergie spent 30 million on him to play the way he did at Spurs and Leverkusen, not to transform him into Tevez.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:33:53 +0000

Let’s not forget Dimitar had the second most number of assists last season, coming in just after van Persie and Fat Frank and even with the likes of Stevie G and Steven Ireland.

I once moaned about Berbatov and it was pointed out to me to take a look at his space creating movement off the ball. He actually is prolific at spreading out a defensive line and allowing players such as Rooney to make runs which result in goals.

Being said, he tracks back for f*** all.
But don’t count the boy Berba out just yet.

By: wllmhll

wllmhll — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:22:49 +0000

three of united strikers have been photographed smoking:

rooney – http://wedontknowfootball.wordpress.com/files/2009/08/rooneysmoking.jpg

macheda – http://wedontknowfootball.wordpress.com/files/2009/08/machedasmoking.jpg

even the great zinedine zidane smokes – http://wedontknowfootball.wordpress.com/files/2009/08/zidanesmoking.jpg

By: Rob Blanchette

Rob Blanchette — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:14:32 +0000

i saw his workrate in preseason. he played well. also he did work against birmingham as well. but lets be honest.. last year, it was a massive anti climax. as i said i think he will come good, but like nani, he is walking a tightrope.

By: Andrew Santos

Andrew Santos — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:58:51 +0000

btw Rob, idk if you saw the preseason matches but I ACTUALLY witnessed Berba chase balls down the other half and put an EFFORT off the ball. Lets see if he can put it together this year. Last year he got a free pass, but this time around, United supporters won’t be too forgiving.

By: Rob Blanchette

Rob Blanchette — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:40:27 +0000

berba has started the season well. he ran more in the first game of the season than the whole of the last! i have faith

By: pete

pete — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:21:19 +0000

is he really smoking a fag? a prem league footy player smoking? has that been photoshopped in? he looks like david ginola in that photo except the difference is ginola actually ran about for 90 minutes not 9 seconds…..laggard! absolute lethargy………….