Berbatov
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 2:57PM Would you take him back? Discussed at length here. He looks to be another player who's head isn't quite right at the moment. Was meant to be the next Cantona at United. At least that's how some billed him. Instead, he is the epitome of apologeticist football (I've copyrighted that one). Seems to have lost the swagger. Still shows signs of quality, yet it's all very much understated. Sometimes, these types of players should be give the freedom of expression rather than instructed to play with a different type of work ethic. Which is why he was probably better off at Spurs. Perhaps because he's been forced into 'defending' and working for the team on a completely different level to how it played out at the Lane where he was king-pin.
The smile in this photograph is a representation of a smile created in photoshop for creative effect
Utd did sell Veron within a couple of seasons having signed him for a small fortune. Doubt very much we'd ever be interested in bringing him back, but it makes for good banter/opinion.
Considering we have Modric and Niko and Lennon, adding another forward in the mould of a Berbatov would have us pushing forwards faster than a locomotive been shagged from behind by a Euro-Star.
Obviously, there's endless connotations here. Would Berba awaken a comatose Keane? Would he be able to work with Defoe? Who knows. We won't be finding out. He made his choice. Not looking the right one at the moment. Unless his understated performances masks his overall work rate and assists.
I do miss the old Berba.
Reader Comments (86)
He's half the player he was. 3/4 in fact. Hope he rots at Old Trafford.
I've got my own theory on Berbatov (apologise if this has also been on GG but I don't read that forum). I think Berbatov is performing maybe slightly under his best at the moment for ManUre but only just. He's not much different now to his last few months under Martin Jol.
He had that one truly great, mesmerising, fantastic season with us and not much since. I genuinely believe we sold him about 6 months too late but I was happy when he left. He's obviously got talent and is a good player but I don't think he's ever been as good as he was in that 1 season with us. Call it a miracle season of him being in the form of his life but basically I believe he was performing over his actual abilities. All his flicks and tricks came off whereas he does them now and they don't.
I wouldn't take him back.
I hate the way he left (although it wasn't nearly as bad as Keane leaving that same summer in my eyes) but he is still the greatest Spurs player I have seen week in week out (ST holder for only 5/6 years, only managed 10 games a yr before that) and as much as I dont like to say it I would have him back in a heartbeat. Him and Defoe? Mouthwatering.
Shouldn't you copyright "apologeticist" football?
bollocks to that he had his chance at the lane he did not want to play for us so no chance........just another of the poor buys from fergie
Like thfc1882 said, Berbatov did have one spectacular season (his first) wher there were no histrionics, gestures of frustration and annoyance at his team mates. He still scored as many goals in that second season as he did in the first though.
I believe that Spurs have actually improved without him. He was the focal point for their attacking play (Lennon was injured and inconsistent) whereas now they have the two best wide players in the league and Kracjar to supplement.
If Berbatov was frustrated with the quality of players he was playing with at Spurs, he must be even more annoyed now. The FI ratings make Spurs the better team at the moment.
I'd kill to have him and carrick back!
This is the player who went on strike when we struggled at the start of a very promising season (we all thought ) Id never take him back . Let him shine the polish on the subs bench at OLD TRAFFORD
I would take him back. Like Toppsy said, he's one of, if not THE best player we've had in 10 years at the Lane. Even if it hasn't quite worked out for him at United, he's still quality and would take us up another few notches going forward. Although I still hate the way he left us.
No way. He treated the club like shit. I am Bulgarian and I fu.king hate the guy, when everybody adores him here. He is traitor and I woldn't take him back.
He wanted out after one season, sulked in his second. Then went on strike. Glad to see him flop at United. Got what he deserved.
Wouldn't have him back - EVER!!! The way he left the club was a total disgrace and he obviously has no values. OK, so he wanted to play for Manure, but since he's been there what has he done?? Doesn't look as if he can play with Rooney. The Berbatov/Keane combo was absolutely brilliant, but now they've been split up neither of them is the same player (even though for differing reasons). Keane looks likely to go again now and would never want Berbatoss back - he's almost as bad as Judas Campbell!!!
Cheers loan. I corrected the term. And the copyright application is in the post.
Berbatov was a one of those players who was right at the time and place but once this chemistry was disturbed so the magic was lost. I loved watching him at Spurs and he, undoubtedly, is a superbly talented footballer but he needs to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond than he is at OT. In fact, even at WHL these days, so no thanks no return.
Do you remember a couple of seasons ago when we had Bent, Defoe, Berbs and Keane upfront? Bent was 4th choice and Berbs was 1st choice as standard. The question was who (out of Defoe and Keane) could link best with Dimitar. The person who could on a regular occasion, would be a regular starter. For some reason Keane worked best with Berbs and so that was our striking duo. in the calendar year of 2007 Robbie Keane was top goal scorer in The Premier League (beating Christiano by 2 goals). Maybe because of Berbatov, maybe because of the 'keano' + 'lazy' partnership. I digress...
Anyway, although on paper it sounds good, Defoe and Berbs wouldn't work. In fact I don't think Berbatov and Keane would work anymore. It was 1 season that Keane and Berbs had the greatest year of their careers, and as pointed out earlier, Jol let Berbatov do whatever he wanted. Can you see Rednapp giving him the same freedom?
I say kick Pav out and get a different type of striker in. Kenwyne Jones type that could take the physicality upfront. Crouchy has a tall and now prolific head, but somehow seems to conceed fouls like a farmer. Lets get some muscle that can hurt opposition centrebacks.
hes playing as well as the rest of the team, really... hot and cold all the time.
i think he belongs to the previous era at WHL, the one which always sold its top players for inflated fees - which ultimately was detrimental by and large as the head coach was often excluded from the big calls. he was signed on those terms, knowing full well he could settle into english football nicely and then demand a move once he had the right managers phone numbers; hes a symptom of all that was wrong with the last decade of Spurs. We dont want to be a stepping stone again.
in football terms, we want him back, but he never came for the football in those terms.
Its the role he has at United. It's not marquee. He's involved in far more build up play because he's not up front in the same fashion as he was with Keane at Spurs. But yeah, no fireworks from Berbatov. He does have the look of someone who feels hard done by all the time. Which is why some Utd fans dislike him.
Toppsy7 - how could any Spurs fan say that what Berbatov did was not as bad as Keane...it was far, far worse. Keane didn't agitate for a move. When told of the offer he said he would like to go (it seemed like a good career move, and to his boyhood club), I don't see that as being so terrible. Berbatov, on the other hand, constantly agigated for a move. When Liverpool came in for Keane and were quoted a price, they met it straight away. Fergie, on the other hand, tried to cheapskate by over £10 million, and with the deadline fast approaching The Bulgar refused to play (REFUSED TO PLAY), almost forcing his present employers (to whom his first loyalty should have lain until sold), to accept an inferior offer. The point that Keane left first is very relevant: the board clearly hoped that by selling one they could keep the other, but The Bulgar still behaved the way he did even after Keane had been sold, knowing full well he was dropping the club (his present employers) deep in the poop. And then there was the whole fiasco where he was supposed to be going to Citeh and managed to land up at OT with old Red Nose clearly loving every second of the disrespectful way our club was being treated. And you think Keane did far worse!
The club may have made some strange decisions at the time. I for one felt that the Petrov deal just had to be done. But, hey, I'm quite happy with what we have right now, so no crying over spilt milk.
In regard to Mr BulgarGitTov, I actually predicted this would happen. I said at the time that there was no way that United fans would accept his "I only start playing after Christmas" attitude; at Spurs he was a superstar and got away with playing as such. At United he is one amongst many (sad to say, as a Spurs fan, but true), and is expected to play like the next man. I am forever hearing Mancs complaining about how lazy he is...obviously they never watched beefore they bought.
once again Keano shows his value to the club. For any considering that it would be worthwhile, all we need to do is wheel him out to remind the fans of what happens to players when they return having let the fans down once so badly.
Plus we could never afford him now, he left for the money and I hope he's happy with it! Maybe he can open a squirrel sanctuary in manchester with all his extra cash.
I loved the guy whilst he was loving being at the lane. But like ex-girlfriends, whilst it might seem like a good idea, after a few drinks and you only remember the good times, to rekindle old relationships. There's usually a bloody good reason they are an ex.
Thought the world of him until he stabbed us in the back,our club took a .chance on him not the red nosed snidey manc.Now it seems it has all gone sour for him just like Keane,tough shit .I hope the red nosed snidey manc dumps him and he goes back to Bulgaria,instead of playing for a club where he was idolised and may have won some medals. Instead he went for broke sold his sole to the devil on dreams of gold and silver,it has,nt worked.I hear there are people back home in Bulgaria who dont like him,go home and face the music you coward.
Wouldn't have Berba or Carrick back. I didn't even want Defoe, Keane and Chimbonda back (or Crouch back) for that matter. Admitted, Defoe has done much better than I thought he would (and Crouch), but the others have disappointed. This shows that you should not return - the likelihood is that it won't be good. I remember 2 good seasons from Berba - but in the second season he was looking elsewhere. Personally, I have nothing against the guy - I am not sure why everyone hates his guts. The moment he played well for us, I knew we had 2 years max of him - because of his age and quality. 30 million - thanks very much (the timing was terrible tho)
What Keane did was far worse than Berbatovs sulk and forced transfer. Let's all hope the same fate does not befall Modric when he signs for them.
I am sorry, but can someone please remind me what Keane did to be so hated? His boyhood club comes in for him, he bites, we happily accept and gets an inflated transfer fee for us. What's wrong with that? I am sure that if any of you guys were playing for Everton or Fulham, and Spurs make a bid for you you'd leave like a shot. Berbatov REFUSED to play when we were struggling to score let alone get a point.
Berbatov has it all but then he only ever played the way he did in that first season because he was on a promise to be signed by United if he impressed, and Utd did bid for him after season one. He was never ever committed to Tottenham. Shame he didn't fall in love with the club and stay put. But then, much like Keane did, you'd regret turning a Top 4 side down. Shows lack of ambition. I think we are kidding ourselves to expect a player to stick around and allow the club to build around them. If they are top 4 quality, they move on. They always do.
We would be title contenders with him in our side.
i think thfc1882 may just have hit the nail on the head. i am also a ST in the shelf and watching his first season i thought we'd uncovered an absolute superstar, however his second season was nowehere near his first and the way he sulked his was out of the club was disgraceful... hero to zero (w@nker) in a season - he can rot in manchester - damaged goods, look at keane.
Anyone thought of the possibility of Keane signing for United!?
I had a conversation with a United fan last night and there are rumours gathering pace that he could end up there by the end of January.
Some are even saying that the deal could already be done…
Might be what it takes to get Berbatov playing again and would give Harry some extra funds with the possible sales of DB, Pav and Hutton
I can't even wrap my head around this being a possibility. At least when Keane left, he didn't spit in all our faces. Sure he's an absolutely stellar player but mentally, he is not fit to be put in a side like ours. It would be a mess/drama fiasco unless he apologized profusely before returning...this just isn't going to happen. And it's not something we need to happen when we have one clear focus: The Top 4. If it were to even be a possibility, it'd have to happen over the summer. S*** would just get way to crazy if we were to bring him in now. Plus, I highly doubt we'd be willing to give what ManU would ask for whether it be price or players.
Hi, Jantheyid - I am not going to argue with a season ticket holder as you obviously see more games than I do. But, you say Berba's second season was no way near the first, yet he scored 15 goals and made 11 assists in that second season. Which is 4 more goals than the first, with the same assists. Wasn't it more that Spurs' season as a whole in 2008 wasn't anywhere near as good as 2007 rather than just Berba himself?
At Spurs he was an artist - flair in abundance, he worked well with Both Defoe and Keane and had a great goal record. He was allowed to roam free and showcase his undoubted skill. Now he's just another cog in the giant red machine which rolls on and on.
I'd have him back though..
Sean - Keane didn't join his boyhood club...that was Celtic...something he admitted about 6/7 years ago which some people seemed to forget. Then when he signed for Liverpool all of a sudden he was a boyhood bindipper. An excuse so Spurs fans didnt get so angry
Also the fact that he signed a new contract 6-9 months before he left, exclaimed his love for the club, how he loved being settled and would see out his career with us. Then up and left.
I'm not saying the way Berby left didnt hurt, but most could see that coming from Xmas time, and I think it was Levy wanting to get as much as possible (and anyone has to admit we got an AMAZING price for him) just as much as Berby stropping and saying he would play the first few games of that season. The point meaning is that if Keane really cared about Spurs, as he claimed, he would have known Berby was defo going and both leaving would throw us in all sorts of a mess.
But then I guess the days of footballers caring about fans are pretty much over
Swap him for Pav & Keane
done!
Next: Carrick for Jenas and Hutton,
I'm a wheelerdealer!
i posted awhile ago that he might come back.i hope against hope he doesnt.what do you pay for a player sold for 30 mil.today hes worth 10,and its a gamble.he was a great player for us.there is no guarantee he could again reach his previous level.if i was arry i wouldnt touch him with a bargepole.
I have watched Berba a few times this season and to be honest I can't see how he is playing and less effectively then he did for us. He still hold the ball up and releases it brilliantly, has got the odd goal and a few assists and i'm sure he's happy to be playing CL football and to have a Premier League title in his nicker drawer. Ok he's not become a Drogba, Torres or Henry like perhaps he wanted to but everyone knows that Fergie's team is built around one man and one man only - Wayne Rooney. As for the Manc 'fans' slating him, maybe they are used to seeing the best and are spoilt? They never had to suffer Chris Armstrong, Helder Postiga, Andy Booth or Paul Mahorn. I don't know. I guess a lot of players pale in comparison to Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs but Berbatov is a unique player in terms of his style. I honestly think that only a club like Spurs or even Arsenal could appreciate this. Put yourself in a Man U 'fan' position. You've just paid 180 quid for a return train journey from basingstoke plus match ticket price to watch your team. (probably bought £100 worth of shite from the club store plus a few prawn sarnies from the catering window) You're expecting your players to run around constantly for 98 minutes, beating all 11 opposition players before backheeling the ball into the goal from 30 yards. But wait, Ronaldo has gone. So you have Berbatov. But he's hardly running at all! And he only back heeled it as a perfect through ball instead of turning and firing it into the top corner. He's scored! hurrah! But why isn't he tearing off his shirt to reveal an impossibly ripped torso, screaming to the heavens like some sort of demented anime character? You've won 5-0 but it was against Wigan so you expect it. We're Man Utd. If shitty Spurs can beat them 9-1 we should be winning 20-0. What's that? Chelsea beat Hull 6-0? Maybe I'll support them next season.
God I fucking hate United fans!
bah....2 good seasons and 20 million profit, think we've done ok
right now he would'nt make starting 11, he was that good though...sublime at times.
shame he's got the morals of ashley cole
Remember seeing the footage of him on SSN on the day he left Spurs, walking around inside Old Trafford like his shit didn't stink!!! Clearly thought that we were beneath him and he was moving on to bigger and better things. Fair enough he has won a gong or two, but only as a bit part player. Let him stay with the Mancs and rot I say.
We don't need him.
Dont think he really treated us that badly, we got 30 million out of him!
Absolute class, would welcome him back for sure
Boy that footage on SSN on that transfer deadline day was so cringeworthy! As much as I don't have any hatred toward him, that night I thought: he better be a success for utd, or he'll look like an idiot. Well...
Everything moves on... I remember an old girl friend I once had, great looking, intelligent, great sex, let me go to Spurs... would I have her back? Well actually, come to think of it!?!!
Berbatov scored most of his goals throughout his career after Christmas. I can remember Martin Jol saying all we had to do was getting him performing before then! You never know, he might still help them win the league this year?
I do prefer it when we're playing with pace though. RK at one stage on Saturday went round and round so many times, that most of the players had time to go off and get a drink and then come back on!
Berbatov is history. We are a different team/squad and management. He would not fit in with the speed we now play, as he never ever would at the Theatre of Schemes.
I was talking about this the other day. We haven't got a decent partner for Defoe and Berbatov would be fantastic. I think it is time that we as Spurs fans put this bitterness behind us, that also includes letting go of the whole Judas thing. I know it is not the popular view, but I only want to be positive about both past and present players. We need to grow up.
Ronaldo left manure quite in the same way as berbatov left us.
You think the mancs wouldn't take ronaldo back if he was available?
Modric is not going anywhere!!!! So i dont know why people are even saying his name! Tottenham are looking so good at the moment even if man u wanted Modric he would say no! I am loving the team spurs are becoming and i really do not care about berbatov! hes an idiot and i bet he wished he had never left looking at where we are in the table- im not sure if anyone realised this but dont you think its real weird that spurs always have to get drawn with man u- if leeds didnt win we would have played them again for like the 4th time in a row!
Spurs have 3 definite strikers- Keane, Defoe and Crouch- Pavlychenko i dont really know whats happening with him! Spurs should try and get Huntleaar on loan- i have a feeling he will work well with all our strikers and help Keane to get back to his best- Another in centre mid would be good e.g. muntari or sandro etc and we need a bettere replacement for lennon because as much as i love bentley if hes going to be lazy i dont really think he should play for the sexiest team in the world!!!!
'We need to grow up.'
Overrated!
Berbatov does not deserve to grace the hallowed turf as a lilywhite ever again. His sulking, lack of commitment, and sheer arrogance are detrimental to any team - no matter how many goals you score.
I wouldnt take him back if they paid us.
Actually I take that back. I would. But then I'd load him straight out to Scunthorpe or Luton or somewhere equally horrid.
P.s Love your work Spooky
TonyTott, you must be of the likes of Berba and Keane - judas genes run in your blood. The manner in which both strikers left were deplorable: Keane even stated how much he loved the club a few weeks before he transferred, what kind of joke is that? And Berba, he forgot who paid his wages and how dare he REFUSE to play? And now he complains he is under stress at United?
i WILL NOT take him back. And please SELL Keane too. I would rather play Pav (who really just wants to play football) than see Berba and get reminded of that unhappy summer. Berba can rot for all I care at MANURE - did anyone see his face when they trudged off the field after the Leeds defeat? Priceless.
If anyone believes that Liverpool were Keane's boyhood club, I have a bridge to sell you
I would not take him back, nor would I take Carrick back as one poster suggested. He got what he wanted and I can't blame him (higher wages, CL etc.). That said he'd never come back with tail between legs so it's a non-starter. Funny thing though is if Keane and Berbatov had stuck around and worked with the team, they could have been one of the greatest strike pairings of all time. The magic was lost the day they both started to believe their own press. Keane, whose ego is in check, has lost pace and just doesn't cut it any more, while Berbatov plays for the money and not for the shirt. Shame really, but it's all in the past. COYS - a result at Liverpool is a must - three points and it's us and MC for the last CL spot.
Berba had two magnificent seasons with us and he's one of the most talented strikers we've ever had but he won't be coming back after the way he upset his team mates.
His dip in form is easy to understand when you see how infrequently he starts for the mancs and as Spooky said he was probably better off at the lane. In fact the moves away were disastrous for Berba and Keano whereas for Defoe it was the making of him.
Berba will turn 29 this month and unless the fading Suralex manages to spark him up quick he needs to move on before it becomes too late to resurrect a sparkling career.
But wherever he goes it won't be N17.