Gonzalez

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

Does anyone rate him?

 

I know its his first season but he has shown nothing that indicates he will be a success. He has pace but cannot beat a man, his crossing is erratic and he just doesn't seem to fit the side. He is only young but I would be suprised if he ever got to the level needed to be a starter.

[McBain]

Thought he was poor first half but improved in the second

 

His season overall has been disappointing though

[Guest Portly]

I thought Gonzalez was the only weak link yesterday. It's true he is only young, but there is a saying "if you are good enough, you are old enough."

 

I would not be surprised to see him on his way in the summer.

 

Too many South American players get on the plane to Europe too soon, before they are the finished article. The temptation of the money is too great.

[Benitez]

I thought Gonzalez was the only weak link yesterday. It's true he is only young, but there is a saying "if you are good enough, you are old enough."

 

I would not be surprised to see him on his way in the summer.

 

Too many South American players get on the plane to Europe too soon, before they are the finished article. The temptation of the money is too great.

 

that last sentence doesn't really make much sense, being as he's played well in Spain for 2 years previous. Maybe you meant they come to the UK too soon, cos he certainly didn't go to Spain too soon.

 

I have been very underwhelmed by Gonzalez, but yesterday, I thought he was ok. He is one of these players who I really don't mind if he stays or goes. He was a cheapo buy, he may work out he may not, but if not, it's nothing lost really.

[Jimi Rojo]

I thought he played well yesterday - and I think he'll stay and be a great player!

 

[RafaShanks]

Credit to Gonzo, he upped his game in the 2nd half after a frankly awful 1st half display. Rafa should have kept him on the pitch as he and Aurellio were combining well on the left. He needs more time on the pitch to build up his confidence.

 

What would be the point in getting rid of him after one injury ravaged season?

 

Still very young and definitely worth persuing with.

Edited April 1, 2007 by RafaShanks

[KD07]

Did well yesterday. Had Eboue pinned back and beat him for pace on more than a couple of occasions which is no mean feat as the latter is no slouch in that department. Beat the fullback and put in some dangerous crosses which should've resulted in at least a goal yesterday. (Aye Stevie that's you) Has tenacity, pace and a good cross on him. All he needs now is more games to build his confidence so that more of his skill will come through. (see Pennant) Could definitely do with better strength so as not to come away second best in physical challenges.

[Knox_Harrington]

Thought he did OK but importantly created a lot of space for Aurelio by pushing Eboue back. Hleb's last so he was never going to be effective.

[alias75]

Anyone that saw him in La Liga last season knows he can play, we haven't seen the best of him here but it would be a mistake to get rid now. Lets judge him after a full pre-season and a run of games, i get the impression hes still trying to prove himself to his team mates and once he does that and starts to contribute his confidence will grow.

 

lets not forget he scored a pretty important goal in the CL qualifiers for us.

[Bailo]

He clearly has a lot of potential

[hideNseek]

I'd keep him. Its his first season here and he's done more than enough to convince me he'll come good.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

He hasn't had much impact this season, but imo he has shown the potential. He has a very good left foot for crossing and shooting, is good at arriving into the box and obviously has pace to burn. His problem has been that he has been to inconsistent and too afraid to take players on.

 

He wouldn't be the first great player to have struggled to make an impact initially. I think he is worth persisting with.

[jon_hall]

I'd like to see what he can do next year. He is clearly not match fit at the moment.

[Earl Hafler]

Does anyone rate him?

 

I know its his first season but he has shown nothing that indicates he will be a success. He has pace but cannot beat a man, his crossing is erratic and he just doesn't seem to fit the side. He is only young but I would be suprised if he ever got to the level needed to be a starter.

 

I realise Eboue is despised by most people but he is a man and Gonzalez beat him ends up.

 

He hasn't been given a proper run in the side. Man Utd's forward line is pretty much set in stone and they've developed an understanding of each other. Ours has been chopped and changed and it's shown. Earlier in the season Crouch was scoring but then dropped the next game - unless it was fitness related i just don't understand that at all.

[Cunny]

I think there is still hope for gonzalez.

The stop/start nature of his season (due to injuries) wont have helped him.

 

I like his attitude, never stops working and never hides.

 

Dunno if it's just me but has anyone else noticed that Stevie G seems to have a reluctance to pass to him, no matter how well placed he is or how much space he is in?

[Guest Snorky]

I thought our left side was excellent yesterday.

[Cooger]

His season overall has been disappointing though

 

Indeed.

 

Rafa has shown to be cut throat by selling players quickly if they haven't made the grade. Will be interesting to see what he does with Gonzalez.

[jimmylibel]

Thought he bottled out of going at Eboue and at some 50/50 balls with him a little yesterday but his crossing was excellent imo.

[Guest Prongsy]

How anyone can judge a player who is not only in his first season but has only started a handful of games and nearly all off them have been coming back from injury.

 

Why does a witch hunt have to start when the old whipping boy scores a hatrick.

 

I would start a new thread - SCAPEGOAT REQUIRED: Apply within.

Edited April 1, 2007 by Prongsy

[windy city red]

lets not forget he scored a pretty important goal in the CL qualifiers for us.

 

Aye for me, this is a very important point. I thought he played well in the early part of the season but got injured.

 

I will keep him for at least one more season.

[Maldini]

I was saying to my dad yesterday he's better in tight spaces when he acts instinctively, when he gets the ball with time and space he kind of panics, he still hasn't settled in completely.

[Guz]

I was saying to my dad yesterday he's better in tight spaces when he acts instinctively, when he gets the ball with time and space he kind of panics, he still hasn't settled in completely.

 

Our wingers always seem to get the ball too early, near the half way line and up against 2 defenders. Gonzalez, Pennant, Gerrard, Garcia, Kewell - happens with them all. Yesterday was a lot better and I think that had a lot to do with Alonso being allowed to play higher up the pitch

[jimmylibel]

I was saying to my dad yesterday he's better in tight spaces when he acts instinctively, when he gets the ball with time and space he kind of panics, he still hasn't settled in completely.

 

Agree with that. He just looks completely short of confidence. I thought he had the beating of Eboue yesterday but he seemed afraid to take him on.

 

Would love to see him play if he gets his mojo back.

[DonRafa]

Anyone that saw him in La Liga last season knows he can play, we haven't seen the best of him here but it would be a mistake to get rid now. Lets judge him after a full pre-season and a run of games, i get the impression hes still trying to prove himself to his team mates and once he does that and starts to contribute his confidence will grow.

 

lets not forget he scored a pretty important goal in the CL qualifiers for us.

 

 

Agree with all that. I think once he fully settles in, he'll do very well for us.

Rafa is no fool, I'm sure he'll persevere with Speedy, esp. after trying so hard to get him

[oran]

thought he did ok.

its zenden i dont understand what he is doing in the team.