Opinions for 2009/10

[AleG]

In this thread I will post general opinions on Dimitar’s performance for the 2009/10 season. Normally, it will be about his improvement (or disappointments) thru the season and not only about his performance in one match.

[AleG]

The first opinion for the upcoming season is from Manchester United legend Bryan Robson. He thinks Dimitar will finally form a great partnership with Rooney. He thinks:

“With Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez gone, United will be looking for others to lead the way and I’m sure Berbatov can become the main man. It often takes players time to settle at Old Trafford and learn to cope with the expectations. Some very good players never made it at Old Trafford. But I’m sure Berbatov will prove himself to be a top player at United. He has been with the club for a year now; he should feel more comfortable and grow in confidence. If Rooney and Berbatov are the first-choice strikers they have got to take on the responsibility of making up for the goals Ronaldo scored. The boss will be looking for people to give even more and challenge for trophies again next season and I have no doubts United will be up there again.”

Read the source in,

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/bulgarian-ace-can-lead...
Bulgarian ace can 'lead the way'
By Mark Shail July 13, 2009

[AleG]

Tony Cascarino, a former Irish striker who played for Aston Villa, Celtic and Chelsea in the 1990s gave his prediction on Dimitar’s performance for this new season. He wrote:

“Dimitar Berbatov didn’t have the most impressive of first seasons at Old Trafford but I do expect him to be much improved in the upcoming campaign. It was a big step up for him joining United and the lack of a solid pre-season cost him dear. For me, he didn’t look fit or as sharp as he was at Tottenham which can be explained by his lack of games in pre-season for Spurs and United.

A good pre-season will make all the difference and he will feel more at home now and he’ll become far more important to the team in terms of creativity now Ronaldo has departed. The Bulgarian looks like the kind of player who needs to feel needed and a lot more of United’s game play will go through him this season and I suspect he will begin to prove his worth.”

Also, read his assessment on Owen in

http://community.footballpools.com/blog/2009/07/22/tony-cascarino-o...
Tony Cascarino: Owen is ‘No Gamble’ & Berbatov Ready to Shine for Manchester United

[AleG]

Alex McLeish, the Birmingham City coach, has also given his forecast on Dimitar’s second season:

“"I'm sure we'll see a Berbatov who will be worthy of wearing the Man Utd jersey this season, I wasn't one of his critics last year, but I know there's more to come from the guy. And he will prove a superb player for them this season."

Remember, ManUtd played against Birmingham in the opening game of the season an barely scrapped a goal.

Read more of his opinion of ManUtd without Cristiano in

http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/07/1427794/manchester-uni...
Manchester United Will Cope Without Cristiano Ronaldo - Birmingham Boss Alex McLeish
7 Aug 2009 17:39:01

[AleG]

Keeping up with forecasts about Dimitar’s second season at Manchester United, Sir Alex has said the following:

“Berbatov probably suffered from a lack of confidence last season, he didn't show it outwardly but it may have affected his inner thoughts.

But we were a bit unfair to him last season because we asked him to play too deep. We thought that suited him because of how he played at Spurs, but we were wrong.

We realise now he is at his best in the final third of the pitch, where he's a real threat. We know how to use him this season and he won't change from that.

'Part of the image problem he's had is that he has this languid style of running. But although he hasn't the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo or Nani, he's still quickish. He is probably as quick as Rooney.”

Read more in

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1205234/This-seas...
This season you'll see a different Dimitar Berbatov, warns United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
By Joe Bernstein on 09th August 2009

[AleG]

Rooney thinks that Dimitar’s second season will find him sharper and more determined. During the preseason he pondered:

“He [Dimitar] has been much sharper, he looks like he is more determined. He has been tracking back with the full backs and he is definitely working harder and trying to impress. Definitely the quality is there."

Read what else Rooney has to say about the weight on his shoulders now that Cristiano and Tévez are gone:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2009-08-10-2753267304_x.htm
Rooney: Berbatov sharper, more determined
Posted 8/10/2009 11:00 AM
By Rob Harris, AP Sports Writer

[AleG]

Wayne Rooney also has an opinión on Dimitar’s second season at Manchester United. He said:

“You can see in training, and in our pre-season games, that he's looking sharper. He's looking more determined, tracking back to help the full-backs… He's definitely working harder and trying to impress. He's a brilliant player…

A lot of time I get told not to track back and to conserve my energy, stay upfield and save myself for when we are attacking, Berbatov is certainly better when he's full of energy and getting touches of the ball."

Read more about what Rooney thinks the United strikers are aiming for in

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/aug/10/manchester-united-wa...
Wayne Rooney says Dimitar Berbatov is working hard to impress
Mikey Stafford
Monday 10 August 2009

[AleG]

Ian Wright, a former English footballer and current radio and television comentator, recons Dimitar and Nani have what it takes to push ManUtd for a new EPL title. Wright, who played for the England National Football team, Arsenal (7 years), West Ham and Burnley says:

“Wayne will step up but a lot of other players are going to have to too. Nani has got a lot to do. Berbatov has got a lot of questions to answer this season and I think even if just those two players up their game by 15 or 20 per cent, Manchester United could be the same force as they were last season.”

Watch the full interview in:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2590113/Wright-...
Wright tips Nani 'n Dimi to star
By GAVIN GLICKSMAN
Published: 15 Aug 2009

[AleG]

Former Manchester United [Newcastle, Blackburn, Fulham, City, Porsmouth, Sunderland) striker Andrew Cole urged fans to be patient with Dimitar Berbatov, after the Bulgarian endured a mixed first season. Cole acknowledged that the high expectations that greeted Berbatov have yet to be met, but emphasised the importance of the stylish forward’s contributions.

"It's not easy coming to United in your first season," he added. "The spotlight is on you straight away and everyone expected Berbatov to get 30 goals last year. I don't think he's that type of player, but he brings something different to the team. He's so elegant.”

Read what else he has to say about the other ManUtd senior strikers:

http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/137/england/2009/09/07/1485698/an...
Andrew Cole: Wayne Rooney Will Score '25-30 Goals' For Manchester United
07-Sep-2009

[AleG]

Clive Allen, the Tottenham Hotspurs’ development coach and former striker, believes Dimitar will become a key player for Manchester United this season. He says:

"I think Berbatov will now become the player that United were intending to buy from us last year. He's an outstanding talent, and he can certainly handle the pressure if he's asked to play a bigger role now. I think he could become a massive player for them this season."

Read more about Spurs in

http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/sport/story.aspx?br...
Berbatov can be main man for the champions, says Allen
09 September 2009

[AleG]

Allan Green, a football comentator for the BBC says: “People that still doubt the Bulgarian striker will just have to get used to his languid style because it doesn’t display a lack of interest or commitment. I think he’s a marvellous player and, as long as his partner doesn’t drop too deep or wide in his constant search for the ball, Rooney will soon relish running onto Berbatov’s sly passes.” Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alan-green/alan-...

Also, Michael Calvin, a football columnist for the Mirror writes: “He views the chores of the game with the disdain of a wine snob served supermarket plonk in a plastic cup. He divides opinion, challenges conventional wisdom that a striker’s impact must be measured in sweat and goals. Whisper it in the heartland of functional football, but we are going to have to get used to Dimitar Berbatov’s quaint little ways. When the tumult had died down, he removed his alice band and ambled away. It had been a gentle stroll in the autumnal sunshine. If he broke sweat, it was an accident. He barely made a tackle, and contented himself with the occasional intelligent foray into space. Yet a simple side-footed finish, which set up a significant win, excused all… As for Berbatov, he will continue to be his own man. Love him or loathe him, it’s your call. He’s not that fussed.” Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/michael-calvin/D...

[AleG]

Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn Rovers' manager, has spoken about Dimitar’s prospects after their league encounter. He reckons that his second season at Old Trafford is a make or break to prove his worth. Although Dimitar was MoM against Blackburn, Allardyce says he must put that kind of performance every time. He says:

"I think he's found it a little difficult to produce his very, very best. So, this one is a big season for him. Playing for Manchester United is not an easy thing to do. There's massive pressure that you live with at United, where you have to win every game. If you've not been at a club in your entire career where that’s the only thing that matters, it can be difficult. There's no hiding place at United, there are no easy games, and you can't do anything other than produce your best and win games of football. I think perhaps he's found that, as many other players have done in the past, a little difficult to adjust to. But he scored a great goal against us to get them on their way to winning this game. He's got really outstanding ability.As time goes on, and as this season goes on, you'll find out if he's good enough – he certainly was against us. At the end of the day he'll be judged by his goals. Outside of the box he's as good anybody else in this country, probably in Europe. And in terms of finding space and his touch and vision, he's really, really good."

Read the article in

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Dimitar-Berbatov-facing-make-o...
Dimitar Berbatov facing make-or-break season at Manchester United, says Sam Allardyce
Published 23:00 01/11/09 By By David McDonnell