Thing is, I don't see any connection between the two. It's like everything they do they do it seperate and has no relation to the other. Pato scores his goals, Ibra his and there's simply no chemistry at all.

I think it's just unfair of Cesare to say that Pato needs to work hard at it. Ibra does as well, it's not just Pato in the wrong, Ibra has come in and is trying to run the show, and even though he's scored some ridiculously important goals for us, sometimes I just can't stand how he expects everything to go his way, even on the pitch you notice him shouting at everyone who doesn't give him the perfect ball.

Yes Pato needs to work harder, track back more, etc, but in order for Ibra and Pato to work as a striking duo they both need to work at it not just Pato, and that's why I feel what Maldini Sr said is just plain unfair to Pato who imo deserves loyality far more then someone like Ibra.

If I had the authority I'd take a cookie away from him

I wouldn't call it 'plain unfair' because you obviously did not consider the context. From what I've read here, Cesare has been kind of pushed into a corner. He isn't a politician, so he missed the needed rethorical phrases to maybe get out, but the way I see it, he had no option - almost anything he'd say would have endend up being labeled us unfair. He just chose the lesser evil.

Everyone's afraid of Ibra's taekwondo kicks...

No he could have just said they both need to work at it, he clearly singled out Pato in his argument.

Ok,I may have exaggerated a bit about Pato being more influential than Ibra.But the case remains that Pato is our biggest prospect of all,we need him as a starter.

Well, that would be a political solution. To say nothing really or to lie.
And we all know that this season there're some real problems with Pato.

Actualy no, it's not a must. We're not a talent developer team. He needed to be benched for quite some time. Now that he scored 2 in the Coppa game, Allegri should put him back in the starting XI. But not for granted.

I'd agree with you if you were talking about our fullbacks situation.But come on,we're using 3 strikers,you don't think Pato deserves a place?Cassano has proved to be great when entering in the last 20-30 minutes,but he's still not fit to play a whole match.Also,Pato isn't a raw a talent,if he and Ibra cooperate then it'll be great.

This post has been edited by William405: Jan 30 2011, 09:07 PM

I don't think Pato plays as well as he can but I don't think it's because he's not trying enough. I believe he does not know how good he can be. The most disappointing thing about him is that he does not use his incredible speed. Many times he has room to run and he just pushed the ball ahead there's no way the defenders can keep up with him.

As for playing him and Ibra together, the way I can see it working is with Pato playing as a proper striker and Ibra is given a supporting role which I think he can do very well.

Yep, it's true. I don't understand why Allegri does not try that out.

Because both Pato and Ibra although they play differently, occupy pretty much the same space on the pitch. Similar to the R80 Kaka situation.

And Ibra's a lot better at handling markers than Pato..which means Pato requires to play behind Ibra and make the passes and the runs. His skills in these areas have been just bad...when you compare them to the other two options which are Robinho and Cassano.

Right now Pato seems to have one incomparable skill...start just outside the box and finish. With Ibra in the form of his life and doing precisely everything a striker can do, Pato needs to offer something extra if he wants to start.

Pato is a bad passer and he does not run - not as often as he should. he does not need to play away from the area, he's shown he's better when he's near it. Ibra often in games drifts to the side and he can play the supporting striker role very well as he's a very good passer too and he sees the field (even looking down I guess, with his height).

If you look at it, our SS (Robinho or Cassano) both drop deep to pick up the ball and make the run. Ibra is also capable of holding up the ball while waiting for our mid-field runners to come in. This is not something Pato can do. In fact I think without Pirlo/KPB to bring the ball out of mid-field Pato's strengths are not that obvious while his problems with passing/vision become a liability.

Agreed


Agreed


Jack I think you're making a distinction that is not really relevant. Ibra does not have to stand as a pivot and bring the ball down for others at all times, and just because Pato cannot do this it doesn't mean he cannot play as the Prima Punta while Ibra plays behind him. It can still work, it just has to be implemented correctly. We used to play with Sheva and Pippo, neither were target men that could bring the ball down and hold it up, it still worked, we used to play with Kaka, Seedorf and Pippo, again no target man that can bring the ball down for the mids. Currently Pato is bein wasted away either on the bench or playing on the wing or trying to support Ibra. Ibra imo is a lot more then a simple target man who can hold up the ball for others, it's another waste if you ask me.

Pato playing as the stiker with Ibra in support of him is the key to making those 2 click. Ibra has the vision and passing ability, as well as the speed and strength to shrug off marker when playing from deep. While Pato is arguably our best finisher, better then Ibra. Imo Pato needs to be treated like Pippo. ie if it was a Pippo Ibra pairing up front then no one would question having Ibra in support of him, and that is why they worked well together before Pippo's injury