18 - Gerard Martín

[draconifire]

I still don't see what you guys are seeing.

 

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

I see a guy who is living a dream, even he probably thought he would never get the chance to live.

I see a guy who has been criticised literally from Day 1, but continues to improve, not complain about it and work his ass off.

I see a guy who will play well all game and the fanbase will look through that haystack to find the needle where they think he made some sort of error. Better known as 'The Ronaldo Araujo treatment.'

I see a guy who bleeds for the shirt, his tears in San Siro proved to me as much.

I can understand if anyone doesn't rate the player, but can't understand why anybody would not be rooting for him to prove us all wrong.

He is the quintessential underdog and that's why, for me, he is a cult hero.

The new Pinto.

The new Lord Douglas.

 

[draconifire]

I see a guy who is living a dream, even he probably thought he would never get the chance to live.

I see a guy who has been criticised literally from Day 1, but continues to improve, not complain about it and work his ass off.

I Don't dispute it. He tries a lot and has become a lot better.

I see a guy who will play well all game and the fanbase will look through that haystack to find the needle where they think he made some sort of error. Better known as 'The Ronaldo Araujo treatment.'

I do not agree with this statement.
There are legitimate shortcomings in his game. Especially as a LB. I honestly am fine with him being an LCB. Dont think he is getting the Araujo treatment. He still hasn't improved enough for me to be our backup to a player who is frequently injured.

I see a guy who bleeds for the shirt, his tears in San Siro proved to me as much.

I can understand if anyone doesn't rate the player, but can't understand why anybody would not be rooting for him to prove us all wrong.

He is the quintessential underdog and that's why, for me, he is a cult hero.

The new Pinto.

The new Lord Douglas.

I love him for who he is. And I agree with your sentiments. Never said I am not rooting for him.
I just don't rate him, and even with his improvements in his game, he still isn't good enough to be the main backup for Balde.

My contention is I did not see what others are seeing when he played against Newcastle. I don't know why are people saying he had a good game, when in my eyes he was subpar. Newcastle almost had a field day on that Right side of the pitch.

I would be ecstatic if he was the third option like Jofre, or backup for LCB. I just don't see it.

I would love it if he proves me wrong, but I legitemently don't see that as of yet.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I still don't see what you guys are seeing.

He is one of the few physical beasts in our defensive setup.1.86m who was actually the quickest in terms of top speed last year, strong and no nonsense player. Is actually a good passer if you leave him room.

OTOH, he is a stiff when it comes to change of direction, and not the best in passing under pressure. Both seems to be improving this year.

You always sense a disaster when he in on the pitch, but it rarely happen because of him.

He came a long way, for now I see him as a player who belongs to La Liga, maybe as a starter in a mid-table team, A bit like Cardona with Villareal. One year ago I felt that Segunda is his best level.

 

[Porque]

He's physically tall and has very good top speed but not strong. Or lacks the mentality to impose it. Compare that to Alves who was the opposite in terms of strength and the use of his body against opposition (no r*PE jokes thanks).

I think Gerard could be molded into a very good LCB. It's probably what happens if he stays here. Not necessarily as a starter at a club like ours but reliable rotation.

If you look at the LaLiga centreback partnerships, most of the clubs you look and go "yeah, Martin could make that 11".

Back to Newcastle, first 20 was choppy as it was for everyone and then he settled into his game. Long ball cross ball over the centres into the right winger is still our kryptonite. But overall Martin was alright on the defensive end. I don't think Elanga done enough against him mind you. And probably against PSG he has a testing game and we are all clamoring of him not having the level again.

 

[draconifire]

He is one of the few physical beasts in our defensive setup.1.86m who was actually the quickest in terms of top speed last year, strong and no nonsense player. Is actually a good passer if you leave him room.

This is exactly why I want him to be played at LCB.

Lets hope I am wrong here.

 

[Barcaman]

Balde "the best lb in the world" should start worrying.

 

[jairzinho]

He's physically tall and has very good top speed but not strong. Or lacks the mentality to impose it. Compare that to Alves who was the opposite in terms of strength and the use of his body against opposition (no r*PE jokes thanks).

He lacks tenacity and aggression.

 

[Barcaman]

He lacks tenacity and aggression.

Yeah. Unlike Balde.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

He is improving in my eyes. Better.

 

[serghei]

Played some fine passes. Good game.

 

[Andresito]

He improved a lot simply by understanding his flaws. He does the things he knows he can do, which is play it simple. That makes him mostly invisible during the games but as a LB in a team with many superstars and with the limitations he has, that is a compliment.

Make sure the ball is kept in possession whenever you receive it and don't fuck up in defence, basically.

 

[Loki]

He's the perfect example how important it is to have a bit of patience, especially with Masia kids. When he first started to play for the first team, people couldn't believe what Flick saw in him. Demanded Fort to be the backup for Balde, or a transfer. Now we know what Flick values in him, his focused and playbook playstyle. He's not the typical show player you expect on the wing, but he does the job. Given his role and his salary, nothing more is to be expected. And it's his only second season in the team, we don't know how much he'll still improve.
Also never forget he wasn't meant to play for the first team. His call-up was out of necessity. Can't really expect more from such a player.

 

[FCBarca]

Just a reminder, he’s not really a Masia product but absolutely accurate that patience is important to develop young players - they aren’t all going to thrive from the first few minutes

I also think most thought Valle would be the back up to Balde, not Fort

 

[Masetro10]

You know what else Martin does? He doesn't run up to the final third all game like Balde. So, in some ways we are a better team just from the defensive aspect. Even if we lose all the dribbling Balde offers.