Pablo Zabaleta

[BringBackSwales]

for me player of the match

i always thought he was just solid, but there seems so much more to his game. If other players improve into their 2nd and 3rd seasons at the rate Zab, NDJ and Komps have, there is reason to be very excited. An even better Silva, Toure! - big room for improvement with Balo and Dzeko, Kolarov

It just proves it's not easy to settle in and constantly changing manager wont help either

agree on all points, good post

 

[bluemoondays]

Even if we sign a world class RB, players like Zabba will always be HUGELY important for a team hoping to compete in several competitions.

Every top team needs to have a small pool of pro's (hopefully utility players)who are willing to take a back seat, play when needed and do a good job. Zab has proved that again and again, no bitching when not playing but shines when he is called upon. Just look at O'Gay and Wes Orange at the scum but Zabba is twice as good a footballer as them.

IMO he's played his way into a 1st team place but I know if he ends up on the bench he will just work harder and be ready when he is called upon. These sorts of players are very rare as most footballers have an ego that doesn't allow them to be considered as 2nd best. Just look at the comments from some players about not playing, never even a hint of it from Zabba.

He's progressed from being a walking yellow card to a 1st team pick or at worst a guaranteed bench spot every game.

Most top teams would kill for a squad player (even 1st team for some) that can fill in for RB, LB, DM and even CM/RM at a push. As a sub he is covering almost half the outfield positions on his own............I wouldn't even be surprised if he could do a decent job in CB (apart from lack of height) and LW also.

Someone mentioned he's up for a new contract, IMO it's richly deserved and I can see him being here for a long, long time even if at some point he is no longer considered a 1st team starter.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

From the BBC team of the week:

Did you know? Zabaleta made a weekend-high 10 interceptions.

Some of his challenges have been brilliantly timed of late, most noticeably in the semi but he won some very important ones near the end on Sunday. Any idea who came second and how many interceptions they made? 10 seems high

 

[Fat Chance]

Too much mention of squad player and benches for me, he's clearly the only natural fullback at the club, he don't drop people in the box or in the box before they've even got around him...so he knows where he is on the field...suprising how many professional footballers don't.

He's like having a mint 1.9 diesel in the garage, not the most exotic but simply carries on doing like a good 'en.

 

[BringBackSwales]

any word on his injury at the end of the west hame game?

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

any word on his injury at the end of the west hame game?

I haven't heard anything but it was right in front of us at the end. Although he qas clearly in a lot of pain, he was able to hobble off after the game and it looked like it was just a very bad knock, as green ahd fucked it and flew in and Zab, as always, wasn't backing out

 

[KathrynBFairclough]

He has tweeted today. Ankle OK and should be playing on Saturday.

Great news, we need him to be at this best to bring the 3 points back.

 

[Raffles]

He was at the EDS game tonight. Walking fine - even stopped for a quick photo :)

I reckon he'll be playing at weekend.

 

[NDJ]

He was at the EDS game tonight. Walking fine - even stopped for a quick photo :)

I reckon he'll be playing at weekend.

You don't see that from many players these days, true legend.

 

[UweGoater]

going to watch the reserves! thats top class