ArtVandelayLFC
15 Sep 2007, 08:45 PM
SWP's got a lot of talent, but I think his biggest problem is his lack of vision and propensity to run with his head down. He tends to dribble into far too many cul-de-sacs, and he doesn't seem to have a great sense of when and where to run, be it with or without the ball. These weaknesses obviously don't mean as much when you're far and away the best player in the side, like SWP was at Manchester City, so I don't think it's fair to compare his best season at City to Robinho's at Real Madrid, where he was actually expected to defer to superior teammates.
Now I know many would accuse Robinho of having the same problems I've just described SWP as having, but I think he, like most Brazilian footballers, doesn't get the credit he deserves for his positional sense, specifically his ability to recognize and exploit open space. When I watch Brazil play, the thing that always jumps out at me is not necessarily how effortlessly they control the ball individually. What makes me really love watching Brazil is the way they move the ball and interchange positions with one-twos and make runs off the ball so efficiently. Contrary to the popular image of a Brazilian taking on the entire opposition to score, it's amazing how often they manage to basically pass the ball into the net without anybody ever really taking a guy on off the dribble; when they're at their best it's like watching the Arsenal Invincibles times ten.
To summarize, SWP probably has a better shot and a better cross than Robinho, but Robinho's definitely a better all-around dribbler and has a better ability to get open and connect cohesively with his teammates. I like SWP, but I think we might have seen the best of him; I just can't see him being as influential in a good to great side as Robinho has shown he can be.
Now I know many would accuse Robinho of having the same problems I've just described SWP as having, but I think he, like most Brazilian footballers, doesn't get the credit he deserves for his positional sense, specifically his ability to recognize and exploit open space. When I watch Brazil play, the thing that always jumps out at me is not necessarily how effortlessly they control the ball individually. What makes me really love watching Brazil is the way they move the ball and interchange positions with one-twos and make runs off the ball so efficiently. Contrary to the popular image of a Brazilian taking on the entire opposition to score, it's amazing how often they manage to basically pass the ball into the net without anybody ever really taking a guy on off the dribble; when they're at their best it's like watching the Arsenal Invincibles times ten.
To summarize, SWP probably has a better shot and a better cross than Robinho, but Robinho's definitely a better all-around dribbler and has a better ability to get open and connect cohesively with his teammates. I like SWP, but I think we might have seen the best of him; I just can't see him being as influential in a good to great side as Robinho has shown he can be.