CONFIMRED - Rafael Cabral

[Stevie G]

All seems a bit fortunte that we had a need post Saturday and we've found and signed what appears to be a very sound solution in just 3 days. Maybe, just maybe, Jose had the potential identified and needed to convince the board, in which case I suggest there's a plan and room for Virginia.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Massively reserving judgement on this one. Hope we stick with Virginia for now.

Glad you know so much about a goalkeeper you hadn't heard of until an hour ago.

not said a word, just laughing at the thought you would rather stick with an unproven 19-year-old goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who has played in seria A and is a full Brazilian international. I have no clue what this dude is like, but i think your on your own if you honestly would 'stick with virginia'

[CountryRoyal]

2 inches shorter than Virginia apparently. Fun.

[Old Man Andrews]

Glad you know so much about a goalkeeper you hadn't heard of until an hour ago.

not said a word, just laughing at the thought you would rather stick with an unproven 19-year-old goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who has played in seria A and is a full Brazilian international. I have no clue what this dude is like, but i think your on your own if you honestly would 'stick with virginia'

Virginia has done nothing to show he can or cannot hack first team football yet, he deserves the first shot at nailing down the first choice spot imo. Rafael may have been all of the things you said he is but a long time ago. The guy was available for free but came to us, says quite a lot. He might well be brilliant but not worth getting excited about just yet.

[CountryRoyal]

Glad you know so much about a goalkeeper you hadn't heard of until an hour ago.

not said a word, just laughing at the thought you would rather stick with an unproven 19-year-old goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who has played in seria A and is a full Brazilian international. I have no clue what this dude is like, but i think your on your own if you honestly would 'stick with virginia'

Virginia has done nothing to show he can or cannot hack first team football yet, he deserves the first shot at nailing down the first choice spot imo. Rafael may have been all of the things you said he is but a long time ago. The guy was available for free but came to us, says quite a lot. He might well be brilliant but not worth getting excited about just yet.

No he oxf*rd doesn’t. I’m not risking our season derailing before it even gets going because we’re sentimentally going to play a child in goal, he’s not even our player ffs.

[WoodleyRoyal]

not said a word, just laughing at the thought you would rather stick with an unproven 19-year-old goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who has played in seria A and is a full Brazilian international. I have no clue what this dude is like, but i think your on your own if you honestly would 'stick with virginia'

Virginia has done nothing to show he can or cannot hack first team football yet, he deserves the first shot at nailing down the first choice spot imo. Rafael may have been all of the things you said he is but a long time ago. The guy was available for free but came to us, says quite a lot. He might well be brilliant but not worth getting excited about just yet.

No he oxf*rd doesn’t. I’m not risking our season derailing before it even gets going because we’re sentimentally going to play a child in goal, he’s not even our player ffs.

OMA making himself look a twat shocker

[Denver Royal]

2 inches shorter than Virginia apparently. Fun.

Yeah, but he looks and plays bigger than that.
.
Right?

[Old Man Andrews]

not said a word, just laughing at the thought you would rather stick with an unproven 19-year-old goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who has played in seria A and is a full Brazilian international. I have no clue what this dude is like, but i think your on your own if you honestly would 'stick with virginia'

Virginia has done nothing to show he can or cannot hack first team football yet, he deserves the first shot at nailing down the first choice spot imo. Rafael may have been all of the things you said he is but a long time ago. The guy was available for free but came to us, says quite a lot. He might well be brilliant but not worth getting excited about just yet.

No he oxf*rd doesn’t. I’m not risking our season derailing before it even gets going because we’re sentimentally going to play a child in goal, he’s not even our player ffs.

Please explain the qualities Rafael possess that make him a better goalkeeper than Virginia, I take it you've seen lots of him yeah? Seen him play lots?

My guess is you have no idea what you're talking about and are so excited that someone who played twice for Brazil has signed for us. Its pretty meaningless, Rafael has hardly played a first team game in two years and was clearly not in demand by any clubs who play in top leagues. Virginia started as first choice and has only played the one game, he should get first shot at being number 1. At least give him a few games before judgement is passed.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Virginia has done nothing to show he can or cannot hack first team football yet, he deserves the first shot at nailing down the first choice spot imo. Rafael may have been all of the things you said he is but a long time ago. The guy was available for free but came to us, says quite a lot. He might well be brilliant but not worth getting excited about just yet.

No he oxf*rd doesn’t. I’m not risking our season derailing before it even gets going because we’re sentimentally going to play a child in goal, he’s not even our player ffs.

Please explain the qualities Rafael possess that make him a better goalkeeper than Virginia, I take it you've seen lots of him yeah? Seen him play lots?

My guess is you have no idea what you're talking about and are so excited that someone who played twice for Brazil has signed for us. Its pretty meaningless, Rafael has hardly played a first team game in two years and was clearly not in demand by any clubs who play in top leagues. Virginia started as first choice and has only played the one game, he should get first shot at being number 1. At least give him a few games before judgement is passed.

[Old Man Andrews]

So your argument is that because Rafael is older than Virginia he is automatically a better goalkeeper? Why weren't you calling for Walker to be played ahead of Martinez last season then? The answer is because Martinez was given the opportunity to show his worth, just like Virginia should be. If after the next two games he had proven he cannot cut it then fine give Rafael the chance to show what he can do.

[WoodleyRoyal]

So your argument is that because Rafael is older than Virginia he is automatically a better goalkeeper? Why weren't you calling for Walker to be played ahead of Martinez last season then? The answer is because Martinez was given the opportunity to show his worth, just like Virginia should be. If after the next two games he had proven he cannot cut it then fine give Rafael the chance to show what he can do.

No, I'm not arguing, that's what you do on every thread with anyone who has a different opinion to you.

[Reading4eva]

OMA has been on some funny stuff lately with the drivel getting worse but this takes the biscuit.

Ok let's play an Everton Youngster instead of an experienced goalkeeper who is actually our goalkeeper.

Personally I would send him back to Everton. Would you like to go too?

[Old Man Andrews]

OMA has been on some funny stuff lately with the drivel getting worse but this takes the biscuit.

Ok let's play an Everton Youngster instead of an experienced goalkeeper who is actually our goalkeeper.

Personally I would send him back to Everton. Would you like to go too?

I'd like the goalkeeper with the most ability to play in goal for us, doesnt matter if he is 16 or 36 or if he is on loan or owned by us. You have absolutely no idea which of the two is the better goalkeeper and the better fit for our system, none of us do at this stage.

Stick to Bournemouth.

[Snowflake Royal]

OMA has been on some funny stuff lately with the drivel getting worse but this takes the biscuit.

Ok let's play an Everton Youngster instead of an experienced goalkeeper who is actually our goalkeeper.

Personally I would send him back to Everton. Would you like to go too?

I'd like the goalkeeper with the most ability to play in goal for us, doesnt matter if he is 16 or 36 or if he is on loan or owned by us. You have absolutely no idea which of the two is the better goalkeeper and the better fit for our system, none of us do at this stage.

Stick to Bournemouth.

I know which one has professional experience and has successfully played at a higher level. I know which one I've seen and not been impressed with. I know which one seems a bigger risk. And I know which one we might get benefits from beyond this season.

[skipper]

Is it just me, or did we actually sign 3 players tonight?

Crazy.

Is this out first Brazilian?

[Sutekh]

No idea if Rafael will fit the bill or even be first choice. We assume he will as he has played for Santos, Sampdoria and Napoli so he must have some talent and have a lot more experience than both Virginia and probably Walker put together. Additionally he is likely to be comfortable with playing out from the back as I don’t recall too many Italian and Brazilian sides consistently opting for the long clearances up field.

Because he is that much older and been at some top clubs he is likely to inspire more confidence in the defence and, initially, amongst supporters. Whether it works out that way remains to be seen.

Presuming Virginia is likely to dropped to second choice but who knows what JG is thinking he may keep with Virginia until Rafael is more settled or JV does struggle.

If JV does become the favoured second choice, perhaps Walker will be sold/loaned somewhere.

[leon]

Football fans. It’s always black and white.

Personally we stick with both and see which one impresses. Clearly ones experienced the other isn’t.

Martinez was outstanding but the first time most of us saw him he was fcuking shit. (The 56-98 abortion of a game)

This could be an absolute master stroke. Who knows?

[The Enfield Royal71]

Looks like I was right about Virginia then wasn't I

[Sutekh]

Is it just me, or did we actually sign 3 players tonight?

Crazy.

Is this out first Brazilian?

Piazon was Reading’s first Brazilian but Rafael is the first permanently signed.

[leon]

No idea if Rafael will fit the bill or even be first choice. We assume he will as he has played for Santos, Sampdoria and Napoli so he must have some talent and have a lot more experience than both Virginia and probably Walker put together. Additionally he is likely to be comfortable with playing out from the back as I don’t recall too many Italian and Brazilian sides consistently opting for the long clearances up field.

Because he is that much older and been at some top clubs he is likely to inspire more confidence in the defence and, initially, amongst supporters. Whether it works out that way remains to be seen.

Presuming Virginia is likely to dropped to second choice but who knows what JG is thinking he may keep with Virginia until Rafael is more settled or JV does struggle.

If JV does become the favoured second choice, perhaps Walker will be sold/loaned somewhere.

Yeah this.