This has been touched on by a few people already on various threads, but I think it deserves an airing. PV's performances have been very mediocre over the last 12 months, raising a few questions, is he suffering from the extra burden of being captain? is time catching up to him ? I know he's only 28 but defensive midfielders take a lot of punishment and perhaps it's caught up with him - he still wins a lot of tackles but his distribution is woeful. Maybe he's suffering from Real Madrid withdrawal symptoms, i.e contrary to what he says, his heart is elsewhere. If we ever need him to step up and justify his reputation it's in the next 3-4 weeks. he can't live on his 1998 -2002 form for ever.
I think the whole team has been medocre lately. The whole group needs to pick itself up and get behind a solid win. That will boost moral and develop crisp play. As captain, Viera will need to lead this charge for sure! But as for his ability, I think it is still all there. It shouldn't disappear that quickly.
no question paddy has been VERY poor considering the HIGH standards he has set for himself.. however, it is a poor dip in form, he will bounce back and boss the midfield again... i dont know if it is an injury, or mental, or what, but i just dont see him being this poor. you dont turn to ******** overnight.. period.. I just hope it's sooner rather than later~
I don't think Vieira is overrated and I thought he was great last year. But, he's not playing well this year and it is his outlet pass, as it were, that gets everything started for Arsenal. That's missing and we're struggling. I can't believe the poor form is physical, though I do agree with you that age catches up to everybody, and unless you're named Barry Bonds, age will catch you sooner rather than later. But Paddy played well and hard even at the end of the season, so one summer spent dallying with Real and missing out on training shouldn't have been a detriment. I think it's emotional and Wenger's going to have to do something to get him out of his funk for us to retain the Premiership and advance in Europe. We'll find out whether Wenger's just good or great.
I think the problem is physical. He was a little dinged up during the Soton game and I have expected him to come off with about 20 minutes to play. He had a late start to the season because of injury as well, and I suspect he pushed himself back into the squad faster than was suitable.
I'm surprised it took this long for this thread to appear. Between the annual transfer rumor and the breathtaking form Arsenal had in the beginnng of the season without Paddy I knew it was inevitable. There is a clear difference between a dip in form and a player being overrated. Once is transitory and the other isn't. Does anyone really think Paddy has been a generally crap player? Not if they know anything about the game.
Whoa - "not if they know anything about the game" - chill out dude, unless you have'nt noticed by the responses on the thread there are more than a few people who believe his "form" has been off for a while. Given that he is widely considered by a lot of "pundits"to be the best defensive central midfielder at present in the world and his performances in big games for us over the last year (see all Manu games and chelsea in the CL) have been average at best, I think it's a fair question.
Off for a while? Like the few games to start this season that he's played in? Look at his track record, he's an animal on the pitch. he's just got a slow start this year. Whatever you think about Real's transfer policy, they don't throw out 30 million pounds for "overrated" holding mids.
Vieira is past it. (Just cause we like you, we'll give you David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba and 2 million quid for him ....)
Even if you don't think he is overated, which we can agree to differ on, and we ignore his indifferent form at the beginning of this season do you not agree that he has'nt shown up in some of our biggest games over the last 12 months?? Even if you disagree on that point the coming stretch of games, especially in the CL will tell a lot. We need a Keane circa 1999 CL S-F performance from him, especially in Eindhoven. I would gladly eat humble pie over this one but it's time for the real PV4 to stand up and justify his reputation - that's what great players do.
Fan overreactions are priceless. Two weeks ago - "I think Arsenal can go undefeated again this year. I predict we'll beat ManUtd 3-0, since the gulf in class is so big." Two weeks later "I just hope we can pull off a 2-1 win against Palace, and Vieira is overrated and inconsistent." Man, have some of you been spoiled by success!
I'm not sure you read either the thread or my post. Oh, and sorry if I'm being harsh but I'm seeing a very bleak world and next 4 years this morning. I don't have much patience or understanding today.
Why is it that you always come up with stuff like this when I'm out of rep to give? You should be more considerate in the timing of your posts.
On the contrary, most posts still believe Viera is a great player. I also still believe we will take the Premiership again this year. There have been a few stumbles lately, but considering previous 49 unbeaten matches, I think Arsenal still are in a great position.
Arsenal and the US have a lot of hard work ahead of them. It's hard work you know. Everyone is working hard. HEHEHEHE.
and don't forget that regarding malpractice insurance, good docs are losing jobs here, OB-GYNs aren't able to ....um...practice their love with women across the country. http://www.imgag.com/product/full/ap/3067907/graphic1.swf
Vieira is NOT Over Rated. Hees our Second Best Player and he is just not playing at his best right now. What am I hearing.... Vieira.... Over-Rated? WTF? -N1
I remember seeing that happen and it scared the hell out of me! Aside from that, VP has what is takes (or takes off.. ba da dum shhh).
Never thought I'd hear myself say this, but it looks like we're missing the stable influence of Gilberto? As for poor form, I agree that PV4 has not been stamping the kind of authority that we need him to, and his distribution hasn't been great, although that isn't as important when DB10 is in front of him. I think the intermittant form of TH14 has been more significant in our recent lull than PV4. Titi's started the season sluggishly and has been playing from very deep in the last couple of matches. Yesterday he looked happier laying the ball off than trying to put it in the back of the net? He made no impact against ManUre and I sometimes wonder about how well he handles big games mentally?? Come on you Gunners!!!