I adored Mascher.
Mascherano - a re-appraisal?
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Amen to that. I'll bet Rafa still has nightmares about that decision himself.
That reminds me in a roundabout way of a comment I once heard from Martin Tyler (I think it was) when we beat the Mancs at Anfield one year and Masher monstered their whole midfield. At one point he bulldozed Anderson to get the ball and Tyler said: "Mascherano doing what he does best - hunting down Brazilians".
As for where Masher stands in the all-time stakes: very high indeed, and that's from someone who was around in Shanks' time and throughout the glory days. Souey and Jimmy Case were the hardest I ever saw, but for sheer efficient ball-winning I reckon Masher may just be the best we've ever had.
Yep, he wasn't your typical hard man, he was just a player who never gave up and was a sneak thief when it came to getting the ball back. I rated him very highly and was ecstatic when he got him. You need players like Mascherano. He's a winner.
I think the big man, one of the greatest international managers in recent memory, said it best when talking about he's team selection.
"My team is Mascherano plus 10." - Diego Maradona
"My team is Mascherano plus 10." - Diego Maradona
Only a muppet would say Mascher can't pass.
Mascherano was a great player for us, and quite possibly Benitez's best signing, especially given the situation he was in at West Ham when we signed him.
In terms of best defensive midfielder, personally I preferred Hamann but there isn't much in it.
Both are better than Lucas obviously!
In terms of best defensive midfielder, personally I preferred Hamann but there isn't much in it.
Both are better than Lucas obviously!
Well, I'm more willing to cut him some slack over that than I was with Torres, for example. It was never true, for example, that he "refused to play" against Citeh (that was Hodgson lying through his teeth under pressure, not for the only time either) and he gave 100% every single time, including a MOTM performance against the Arse a matter of days before he left. He was under pressure from his missus to make the move, and when Barca beat the Mancs one time he dedicated the win to us.
I'm not doubting that he definitely gave 100% always on the pitch.
He was a trojan but refusing to play was a cunts move either way.
His career was in limbo when Liverpool saved him and he basically threw it back in our face the way he acted.
I suppose sometimes we have to blame the game not the player when it comes to this stuff.
He only done what 99% of foreign players would have done in the situation.
But still it will never sit easy with me.
Sad to see him go but then the dismantling of that team was inevitable. I felt genuinely sorry for him when he picked up his losers medal at the World Cup he gave absolutely everything and deserved better.
And judging by the amount of games I got to go to whilst Woy was manager, I'd have had a season ticket by now.
I'm not blaming him for leaving but just the sly way he went about it.
Top player. Feisty, decisive and gave a great platform for others to work with. Underrated on the ball. Wouldn't have wanted to face him in the centre circle myself. Was sad when he chose to leave, was disappointed with his alleged refusal to play but, given how Hodgson has exposed himself as a lying that, I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. As said above, he dedicated a Barca beating of the Mancs to us and I'd like to believe he remembers his time here fondly.
I think your emotions are reading more into what he did to "maneuver" his way out. He probably told them he wanted to go and was upfront about it. Then they tried to force him to stay or hold out to get the most money possible. I'm not willing to tarnish the man over what we don't truly know. He never sweet talked us like Judas did, and he didn't go to another Premier League team. Would prefer he never left but I've forgiven hi and forgot the pain.
Quite.
It's always disappointing when our best players leave; but its the name of the game.
He may have owed us a bit from getting him from West Ham, but let's face it.
he was quality and lots would have taken him.
Things might have been different had we got tevez then too.
Who knows?
He may have owed us a bit from getting him from West Ham, but let's face it.
he was quality and lots would have taken him.
Things might have been different had we got tevez then too.
Who knows?
AND he's brought Avvy back! Hello old pal, hope life's treating you kindly.
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