2014 - 2015 Football Thread - Page 493

On January 13 2015 20:41 sharkie wrote:
Midfielders are most important in football by far. They hold everything together

On January 13 2015 21:46 SatedSC2 wrote:

Said it before: Neuer is a better goalkeeper than Messi/Ronaldo are forwards. Messi/Ronaldo compete with each other. Who competes with Neuer? Nobody competes with Neuer.

On January 13 2015 21:46 SatedSC2 wrote:

Said it before: Neuer is a better goalkeeper than Messi/Ronaldo are forwards. Messi/Ronaldo compete with each other. Who competes with Neuer? Nobody competes with Neuer.


This is bollocks. Defending takes a completely different skill-set to playing in a forward role. Directly comparing the two is ridiculous.

On January 13 2015 22:05 Twisted wrote:


No it's not. Being a good defender is easier than being a good attacker. That's not to say that any good attackers can be a good defender or anything, but it's just how it is. This is especially true for the PL btw where defenders have no idea what to do when they get the ball. They're completely clueless on the ball while off the ball they're good at standing in the way or heading the ball away. Not hard compared to the fluid combinations or dribbling skill or finishing skill you need as a midfielder/attacker.

There's a reason why midfielders/attackers cost more money.

And to your other point, it's pretty clear that you're overhyping Neuer. Yeah he's a great goalkeeper but 8 months ago all the rave was about Thiboaut (sp) Courtois and those other World Cup goalkeepers. Messi/Ronaldo have been on top by quite a distance for 6 years or whatever. No-one comes close to what they achieve every year. People have just gotten used to it by now so they take their numbers for granted. Then when they score slightly less or have an off year they're suddenly 'bad' by some people while they're still miles above anyone else even in their off-season. But I do agree that goalkeepers can't be compared to field players though.

On January 13 2015 23:08 Ysellian wrote:


You telling me that running past a player and crossing the ball in a general area is in any way more difficult than just standing in the way of a ball? Both just require a physical advantage over another.

To me attackers are better than defenders because there is simply far more competition. For kids playing as a midfielder is great because you are constantly on the ball, while being an attacker you do shit all game and get all the praise when you score. Defenders just concede and get shat on. But you see with today's game and Pep's revolution, defenders are becoming better and better because being a central defender is also becoming much more interesting.

On January 13 2015 23:20 Steveling wrote:
Ibra voted for messi first for the 6th year in a row.
Such respect!

On January 13 2015 21:49 Serpest wrote:

They can't give a ballon d'or to Neuer. They didn't give one to Buffon.

On January 13 2015 21:15 Yorbon wrote:
Attackers benefit from high risk high reward situations, defenders from low risk low reward situations. For example, a winger may be tempted to try to trick their opponents. If it works, it's a potential chance on goal. If it doesn't, you'll lose the ball and nothing really happens. If a defender (or rather someone in a defensive position) tries to get the ball from an opponent , he won't get any reward for it's riskiness, while a risky manoeuvre does increase the chance of giving a chance to the opponent.
I think attackers benefit from being able to capitalise on moments of brilliance, while defenders are rewarded for constant performance. Imo that's also why attackers sometimes make horrible defensive decisions, their risky style of play isn't rewarded in defensive positions. On the other hand, defenders won't be able to break tight defences on their own, because their decent play isn't volatile enough to have enough of an effect.
Returning to the ballon d'or, risky and volatile play will be remembered longer than good defensive work. When an attacker performs well, one says he absolutely dominated the field (for example). When a defender plays well, you'll often hear that the attacking player was invisible. Of course, good defending does get credit, but generally people will remember it less. And I think that is justified. As a consequence of this 'theory', the most extraordinary plays are generally made by attacking players, due to their style.