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Cost us again today. The free kick he gave away for their first was completely unnecessary. Admittedly, we played 100% better after conceding but his rashness is a concern for me. I expected him to become more clever and less rash as he gained experiene but he's been here nearly 18 months now and the penny isn't dropping.

Can it be coached out of him? Will he learn with experience not to commit or will he always be a liability in and around our box?

If he can't cut this out of his game, he needs replaced.

I agree he gives away a lot of unnecessary free kicks too close to the box.

He doesn't fill me with confidence. Whenever someone's running at him I feel like they're a) gonna get past him or b) get chopped down. He always seems to be second to the ball too.

That said I feel exactly the same way about Micah.

Yeah he is selling cheap ones.
How much free kicks cost these days? I'm sure I've them given for free in some matches..

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:He doesn't fill me with confidence. Whenever someone's running at him I feel like they're a) gonna get past him or b) get chopped down. He always seems to be second to the ball too.

That said I feel exactly the same way about Micah.

I think Zabba is margianlly better than Micah, but at least Micah does not give away too many fouls. Zabba's too rash and evidence of that are the many yellow and red cards he gets.
If I were Hughes, I'd put Ned at RB once Kolo is back. Ned is a much more levll headed and does not panic under pressure and he is good going forward as he has proved many times.

Right and left back are still problem spots for us it seems. Neither Bridge, Zabba or Micah have made the position look solid this year and the cheap free kicks shout is a very valid one.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:He doesn't fill me with confidence. Whenever someone's running at him I feel like they're a) gonna get past him or b) get chopped down. He always seems to be second to the ball too.

That said I feel exactly the same way about Micah.

Agreed. Micah isn't a viable alternative. I think we need a new right back.

I've always backed Zabba and been desperate for him to do well. So much so that I've given him the benefit of a lot of doubt at times. His attitude and energy endears you to him and you can't help but want him to do well.

Time is running out though and the free kick he gave away today was absolutely brainless.

Thought it was six of one and half a dozen of the other myself. They both had hold of each other's shirts.

I watched the very slow motion replay of the resulting free-kick and you can clearly see (incidentally from the angle right behind the ref) that studs-in-the-back-skirtl had hold of Adebayor's shirt to get himself to the ball first, so if one is a foul... Now I am not saying that the goal should not have been allowed (I think neither were fouls) but if you penalise one player for doing something then fail to penalise one on the other team for doing exactly the same thing, then you are bent. Some would claim it is mere incompetence, but that doesn't apply here as the camera was right behind the fat little toad, so he can't possibly have missed it by accident. If anyone cares to give me a better definition of bent, I'm ready to listen.

I do feel for Zabaleta a little bit. Yes, he is slightly hot-headed at times, but I do believe he is getting targetted by referees and has been ever since his ludicrous sending off at home to Liverpool last season.

Tokyo Blue wrote:Thought it was six of one and half a dozen of the other myself. They both had hold of each other's shirts.

I watched the very slow motion replay of the resulting free-kick and you can clearly see (incidentally from the angle right behind the ref) that studs-in-the-back-skirtl had hold of Adebayor's shirt to get himself to the ball first, so if one is a foul... Now I am not saying that the goal should not have been allowed (I think neither were fouls) but if you penalise one player for doing something then fail to penalise one on the other team for doing exactly the same thing, then you are bent. Some would claim it is mere incompetence, but that doesn't apply here as the camera was right behind the fat little toad, so he can't possibly have missed it by accident. If anyone cares to give me a better definition of bent, I'm ready to listen.

I do feel for Zabaleta a little bit. Yes, he is slightly hot-headed at times, but I do believe he is getting targetted by referees and has been ever since his ludicrous sending off at home to Liverpool last season.

It was one of the clearest free kicks awarded today.

Had a sinking feeling in my stomach that it would lead to a goal as soon as he did it. You have to wonder where footballers common sense goes to at times, playing against a team with Gerrard in, free kicks there are more often than not gonna find there way into the net

No need at all, SWP was covering too

CityGer wrote:

Tokyo Blue wrote:Thought it was six of one and half a dozen of the other myself. They both had hold of each other's shirts.

I watched the very slow motion replay of the resulting free-kick and you can clearly see (incidentally from the angle right behind the ref) that studs-in-the-back-skirtl had hold of Adebayor's shirt to get himself to the ball first, so if one is a foul... Now I am not saying that the goal should not have been allowed (I think neither were fouls) but if you penalise one player for doing something then fail to penalise one on the other team for doing exactly the same thing, then you are bent. Some would claim it is mere incompetence, but that doesn't apply here as the camera was right behind the fat little toad, so he can't possibly have missed it by accident. If anyone cares to give me a better definition of bent, I'm ready to listen.

I do feel for Zabaleta a little bit. Yes, he is slightly hot-headed at times, but I do believe he is getting targetted by referees and has been ever since his ludicrous sending off at home to Liverpool last season.

It was one of the clearest free kicks awarded today.

Agreed, free kick without question unless bear hugs are now allowed

Very sloppy
And its not as if it was against a World class player
N'Gog was guaranteed to trip over himself once he got near the box

Dubaimancityfan wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:He doesn't fill me with confidence. Whenever someone's running at him I feel like they're a) gonna get past him or b) get chopped down. He always seems to be second to the ball too.

That said I feel exactly the same way about Micah.

I think Zabba is margianlly better than Micah, but at least Micah does not give away too many fouls. Zabba's too rash and evidence of that are the many yellow and red cards he gets.
If I were Hughes, I'd put Ned at RB once Kolo is back. Ned is a much more levll headed and does not panic under pressure and he is good going forward as he has proved many times.

Probably because Micah keeps backing off! :)

A new right back in January should be the priority.

A shame really, Zabaleta is a good player but unfortunately he makes Sun Jihai look like Bamber Gascoigne when it comes to giving away stupid free kicks and all to often they will be costly as was seen today.

He's still young and I would like to see him stay on as a squad player but we should go all out to try and get Maicon or if there is any truth in the Robinho rumours then play hardball with Barca and insist Alves is included in any deal, doubtful he would come though.

Break the bank for 2 new full backs. Defo.

Zabba is blamed for the second goal as well on Goals on Sunday. Bit slow off the mark. But Ned's lousy clearance kick was probably the key bit.

I think Gareth gives away a lot of free kicks away.
There was a stat going around that Gareth was the most fouled upon player in the Prem but I think he gives a fair bit back himself.

Just watched the highlights again from the Official site and Zabba did look lost on the second goal. Sorry to say it but we really are struggling with left and right backs.

I love Zabba to bits, and think he's a top player, but I've gotta agree with the discipline part.

He proper worries me that he's gonna foul somebody in an important area and cost us, which he does do quite a lot. Thats the only thing on his game that worries me though and if he can sort that out then he'll be a class right back. For now though I reckon our best option for RB is nedum, until we can get someone of real class in there.

Was he injured yesterday ? why didn't he even make the bench ?