Player thread: Pablo Zabaleta (2014/15)

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

The best complement that can be made is the fact that his team mates and the club know his importance. A number of players would have been substituted after a challenge like Wellbeck`s last night. However, the team collectively protected Zabaleta for 20 minutes after the incident. The team played everything down the left, and Navas dropped back to take the ball in positions where you expected "the man" to have been. It may have looked like we dropped off the pace during this period, but as a team they knew a team with Zabaleta on the pitch is more important.

Brilliant analysis, will be lost on some!!!

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

The best complement that can be made is the fact that his team mates and the club know his importance. A number of players would have been substituted after a challenge like Wellbeck`s last night. However, the team collectively protected Zabaleta for 20 minutes after the incident. The team played everything down the left, and Navas dropped back to take the ball in positions where you expected "the man" to have been. It may have looked like we dropped off the pace during this period, but as a team they knew a team with Zabaleta on the pitch is more important.

That's more or less what happened, although it was a case of Zabaleta protecting himself by stopping the overlaps. Up to that point he and Navas were isolating Evra and ripping them to pieces on that flank by bombing onto him as a pair. That's the reason why our momentum dropped a bit for the remainder of the half - he was nursing that injury. He got outpaced by someone too at one point - can't remember who as I haven't watched the game since.

I bet he's got a ridiculous bruise but he won't care. He's a hard bastard. Even when he got elbowed he jumped up and let the trainer treat him stood up. He doesn't let the opposition get any phsycological edge.

 

[aguero93:20]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

As a full back myself, I always love watching Zaba play, absolute class act. I imagine it's how a physics student would feel if he got to sit in on stephen hawkings work and watch, or an art student would feel if they got to take lessons with rembrandt or da vinci.

 

[SiMCFC]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Totally committed player, understands the club, I hope to god when he hangs his boots up he is found a role within the club, can you imagine anyone better to mentor academy players? Perfect professional.

 

[TFC]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Read his comments on the bogbrush incident last night and he really couldnt be more of a model professional, he said something along the lines of "I think it was a red but you have to respect the referees decision".

FFS the ref couldnt have been more wrong, and many pros would have had a right old whinge the morning after. Not our Zab, fucking star that fella.

 

[Uwe's 80s mullet]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Hard as fucking nails. Apart from the skipper he is my fave at the club. Love him

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Why on earth did he bounce his chin into Fellaini's elbow at such a critical juncture?

 

[shauns goat]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Hard as fucking nails. Apart from the skipper he is my fave at the club. Love him

Love Vinny, buts Zabs is the Man. Will be gutted when he leaves City.

 

[kinkladz-ade]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Discussion in my house the other day:

Son : If you could be a superhero Dad, which one would you be?
Me: Pablo Zabaleta
Son: Nods.

 

[gmckennasell]

Re: Pablo Zabaleta Appreciation Thread

Why on earth did he bounce his chin into Fellaini's elbow at such a critical juncture?

senseless and the way he dived in the way of welbecks two footed assault was ridiculous , maybe the club could fine him 2 weeks wages and email an apology to fellatio and the over achiever.