Re: The unpopular opinion thread

by Thimmy Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:37 pm

He did, and I think the criticism towards CR was very fair. Despite all of his talent, he wasted a lot of time showing off and slowing down counter-attacks. He also didn't have the positional awareness and polished finishing technique that he's acquired since then.

Ideally, I wish he had more of the flair and youthfulness that he had earlier in his career, coupled with the effectivity and experience that he built up as he approached his late 20s. Above all else, it's the effectivity that matters.

by El Gunner Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:25 pm

^^can't logically wish for flair and youthfulness for an ageing player, now can you...

by Thimmy Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:38 pm

Of course not Smile

I prefer the player that CR7 eventually evolved into, but in an ideal world, he would have his peak effectivity, as well as some of his often pointless moves that provided entertainment value. He never had both at the same time, just like Messi never had both the qualities he has now, coupled with the greater explosiveness, work rate, and dribbling prowess he had when he was younger.

10-13 years ago, I don't think anyone other than Harmonica would argue that Messi is a better free kick taker, or long-distance shooter than CR7. The latter was generally more of a risk-taker then, which was more entertaining to watch, and some people seem to value that higher than effectivity, but I have no doubt in my mind that he become a much more impactful player once he moved away from that - which I assume was a natural result of him no longer having the stamina to waste on tricks, flicks and all of the things that younger players typically waste energy on, which often serve no other purpose than to showcase skill.

by RealGunner Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:58 pm

Robespierre wrote:My unpopolar opinion is : Totti > Baggio

It's hard to find who agrees wth me in Italy, and imagine same abroad.
But it's my thought.

Yea that really would be an unpopular opinion here.

but Totti>ADP is very much accepted

by Clutch Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:22 pm

Thimmy wrote:Of course not I prefer the player that CR7 eventually evolved into, but in an ideal world, he would have his peak effectivity, as well as some of his often pointless moves that provided entertainment value. He never had both at the same time, just like Messi never had both the qualities he has now, coupled with the greater explosiveness, work rate, and dribbling prowess he had when he was younger.

10-13 years ago, I don't think anyone other than Harmonica would argue that Messi is a better free kick taker, or long-distance shooter than CR7. The latter was generally more of a risk-taker then, which was more entertaining to watch, and some people seem to value that higher than effectivity, but I have no doubt in my mind that he become a much more impactful player once he moved away from that - which I assume was a natural result of him no longer having the stamina to waste on tricks, flicks and all of the things that younger players typically waste energy on, which often serve no other purpose than to showcase skill.

late united and early madrid CR7 was a menace. Now hes super efficient which is much more useful but nowhere near as fun to watch

by Thimmy Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:30 pm

Clutch wrote:late united and early madrid CR7 was a menace. Now hes super efficient which is much more useful but nowhere near as fun to watch

Exactly. A mix of both would be great, but I suppose the increase in effectivity may have been been a bi-product of him losing some of his explosiveness and energy reserves, rather than him making a conscious decision to become more direct and "no bullshit" in his playing style.

I still remember the frustration of seeing him lose his once exceptional pace, and struggling to come to terms with it. It was during the season where we barely got past AC Milan in the CL, and Ignazio Abate effectively shut down CR7 by keeping up with his speed and movement. It was in the following season that he turned into more of a ruthless goalscorer. I believe he was 28 at the time, but I may be wrong.

by El Gunner Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:39 pm

i'll never forget the pain of his United years -- he, along with Nani and Rooney, basically ripped us to shreds on the counter everytime they visited us Laughing

by Doc Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:53 am

Doc wrote:
Mr Nick09 wrote:Real Madrid without Ronaldo is be even better

Being a fraud since 2011

Almost two years later and this still is factually wrong.

by Kaladin Sat May 08, 2021 7:27 pm

Really don't rate Aguero as highly as some people

by BarrileteCosmico Sat May 08, 2021 7:29 pm

Actual unpopular opinion. Please expand.

by El Gunner Sat May 08, 2021 7:41 pm

hipster take imo... he leaves behind a legacy of the greatest South American ever to play in the Prem, that's high regard enough

by Kaladin Sat May 08, 2021 7:59 pm

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Actual unpopular opinion. Please expand.

I didn't say he's a fraud, just that he is rated highly as some bespoke striker

I would like to remind everyone of his terrible 2018 (or 2014?) WC campaign in the group stages, so much that Higuain benched him.

He is a good, consistent striker. Nothing out of the ordinary. Solid B+, there have been better strikers come and gone in the PL, during his tenure at City

by urbaNRoots Sat May 08, 2021 8:25 pm

The Super League would've been a great idea for the sport. It's a shame it was executed so poorly.

by Cruijf Sat May 08, 2021 9:03 pm

Depends on what you mean by Super League. Personally I’m in favour of ditching domestic leagues in favour of a “super league” with the 20 top teams in Europe, with a system of promotion and relegation. If the closed shop nature, arbitrary selection of undeserving teams, and strange format are what you mean by poor execution, I’m with you. If you just mean the terrible PR planning, then I disagree, I think the SL itself was stupid the way it was formulated.

by Casciavit Sun May 09, 2021 8:45 pm

Aguero is obviously City's best ever striker and an all-time great PL player.

I'd still rank him below the likes of Suarez, Benzema, and Lewa for this generation. He has NO memorable CL moments or International moments whatsoever. The one time City makes the final he hasn't played a minute. When City needed him to step up against Spurs and bag the penalty in the away leg he choked. Has he done anything relevant in those two competitions?

by El Gunner Sun May 09, 2021 8:56 pm

^true

If we're just talking peak performance in a space of few years, it's Suarez
But if we're talking legacy, it's Aguero
— we're a broken football club (@Cav_Gunner) February 9, 2021

by M99 Sun May 09, 2021 9:11 pm

El Gunner wrote:^true

If we're just talking peak performance in a space of few years, it's Suarez
But if we're talking legacy, it's Aguero
— we're a broken football club (@Cav_Gunner) February 9, 2021

If its just PL then yeah, Aguero's been in the league for ten years while Suarez had been there for three.

But Suarez went on to be a La Liga/Barca legend, won a treble, Pichichi, also an Uruguay legend for Copa America and great World Cup showings.

Overall "legacy" in football Suarez>>>Aguero

by BarrileteCosmico Sun May 09, 2021 9:26 pm

Casciavit wrote:Aguero is obviously City's best ever striker and an all-time great PL player.

I'd still rank him below the likes of Suarez, Benzema, and Lewa for this generation. He has NO memorable CL moments or International moments whatsoever. The one time City makes the final he hasn't played a minute. When City needed him to step up against Spurs and bag the penalty in the away leg he choked. Has he done anything relevant in those two competitions?

his brace for atleti vs Chelsea was pretty memorable ,but yeah you have to think back a while

by El Gunner Sun May 09, 2021 9:28 pm

@M99 fair point, i suppose

but also i'd like to add character plays a role too for some... Suarez is also known as a racist c-u-n-t, on-field cannibal, and stealer of African dreams with his own "hand of god" world cup moment. Whilst, Kun certainly is up there as one of the most likeable footballers ever

by BarrileteCosmico Sun May 09, 2021 9:40 pm

Luis Suarez, Stealer of African Dreams, Biter in Chief, Utterer of the N-Word

Built up quite a rep by now. If he weren't so good he'd be universally hated.

by Myesyats Mon May 10, 2021 2:24 am

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Luis Suarez, Stealer of African Dreams, Biter in Chief, Utterer of the N-Word

Built up quite a rep by now. If he weren't so good he'd be universally hated.

For many it's added value

by M99 Mon May 10, 2021 10:22 am

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Luis Suarez, Stealer of African Dreams, Biter in Chief, Utterer of the N-Word

Built up quite a rep by now. If he weren't so good he'd be universally hated.

You know I remember Fucile trying to handball away Gyan's shot too but he missed and then after that Suarez did. This is so much better in hindsight. Makes the moment more iconic when a legend like Suarez does it and not a rando like Fucile.

by Freeza Mon May 10, 2021 10:52 am

Probably an unpopular opinion, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with what Suarez did in the World Cup.

On the same level as a last ditch tackle for me. Completely within the rules, and the rules says it warrants a red. Should've been the end of it.

by Young Kaz Mon May 10, 2021 5:32 pm

Freeza wrote:Probably an unpopular opinion, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with what Suarez did in the World Cup.

On the same level as a last ditch tackle for me. Completely within the rules, and the rules says it warrants a red. Should've been the end of it.

In that way anything is acceptable to you.

What If he just went and broke Ayew's leg in the second half and got sent off? Tackling is in the game, and the rules warrant a red card.

by Arquitecto Mon May 10, 2021 6:20 pm

Suarez did nothing wrong. He exploited the rules and knew what he was doing. Why is everyone crying for Ghana? He was sent off anyway.

And Aguero is a PL legend but thats where it ends.

A total ghost in UCL, and for Argentina. Very prolific striker but in such competitions has no presence.

by Robespierre Mon May 10, 2021 6:32 pm

Freeza wrote:Probably an unpopular opinion, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with what Suarez did in the World Cup.

On the same level as a last ditch tackle for me. Completely within the rules, and the rules says it warrants a red. Should've been the end of it.

Not unpopolar for me. Totally agree with it.

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