Babel

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=35277.msg926070#msg926070 date=1250459928]
I don't get what you're trying to put across. Was the whole team shite the last time Babel was?

No.
[/quote]

my point is the TEAM was rubbish so I don't see why the blame should be placed at the feet of one dividual. if babel is removed from the team and we suffer another bad result what then? just move onto the next scapegoat.

 

[Preston]

to be fair to babel, the number of opposition players that surround him when he has the ball makes it very difficult for him. maybe he ought to work out how to play against that, but equally the team should also provide options which rafa needs to coach them on.

take note of the attention that the opposition pay to babel - they certainly think he'll cause damage if allowed to play.

however that doesn't take away the fact that he was ineffective and if all parties dont improve then cashing in starts to make sense.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926072#msg926072 date=1250460078]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=35277.msg926070#msg926070 date=1250459928]
I don't get what you're trying to put across. Was the whole team shite the last time Babel was?

No.
[/quote]

my point is the TEAM was rubbish so I don't see why the blame should be placed at the feet of one dividual. if babel is removed from the team and we suffer another bad result what then? just move onto the next scapegoat.
[/quote]Nobody, NOBODY is laying the blame solely with him. Everyone, EVERYONE has pointed to all the other failings.
Victim.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926064#msg926064 date=1250459586]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926059#msg926059 date=1250459482]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926057#msg926057 date=1250459372]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926052#msg926052 date=1250459263]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926041#msg926041 date=1250458657]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926011#msg926011 date=1250457343]
forget it, it wont happen.
to get something off my chest, laying the blame at babel's door when the team was collectively rubbish fucking STINKS
[/quote]

He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old.


[/quote]

*Coughs*

Lucas
[/quote]

Hmmm.. Kept things simple, got stuck in when needed, lacked a more attacking partner, whereas Babel was just fucking shit, and pointless, and brainless.
[/quote]

I thought Lucas did quite well today Mark.

I was referring to this:

"He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old"
[/quote]I think Mark is drunk.
[/quote]

It's the missus' birthday, she's so lovely.

PS, Neil and Rafa are two of my favourite posters, they both talk good football. I just don't get the Babel thing.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926071#msg926071 date=1250460030]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926061#msg926061 date=1250459560]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926054#msg926054 date=1250459306]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926051#msg926051 date=1250459158]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926041#msg926041 date=1250458657]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926011#msg926011 date=1250457343]
forget it, it wont happen.
to get something off my chest, laying the blame at babel's door when the team was collectively rubbish fucking STINKS
[/quote]

Neil, that's pathetic. The team was shit but Babel summed up in one performance why people still say "this will be his year".

He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old.

*potential* my arse.
[/quote]

the TEAM was rubbish today so why single out individuals, do you want me to list all the things I thought torres, carra etc did wrong today. yeah they've been great in the past so they get a pass while the usual scapegoats take the absue. oh, for someone who has 'no game intelligence' I saw babel take up several excellent position but was missed by someone uttterly utterly idiotic passing decisions midfield.

you want to call him shit, fine.
you don't want him to start v stoke, fine.
but lets not fucking make out babel was the only person who put in a shit performance today, if you want I can name and shame the players and list the things they were doing poorly.
[/quote]I think his point is that Babel ALWAYS does it.
Its hard to argue with really. He is playing for Liverpool and doesnt do enough to warrant the status Liverpool player.
[/quote]

no he doesn't but still I hate scapegoats, its uncalled for and unfair. you go to the ratings thread and babel is getting 3's and 0's well what did kuyt do to deserve a more? or torres? and so on. when babel is finally shipped out the door I swear I will never have a favorite player again it's not worth the hassle.
[/quote]Torres - Laid the ball off for a gerrard strike, played the ball in that ekotou handballed, almost got onto a cross with his head, broke into the area only for kings studs to re-direct the gerrard cross.
Kuyt - played johnson in for the run to the pen, crossed that torres almost headed home.

Babel did nothing. Thats why he's getting poorer ratings. You cant see it, thats fine, i dont expect you to, youre laughably biased.
We were shit collectively, but some of the lads have earned the right to underperform once in a while babel has not. He ALWAYS underperforms. In 3 years you could count his good performances on 1 hand. He isnt going to suddenlly become the answer. Hes as old as messi ffs.
[/quote]

I'm not going to make out babel is something he is not and my patience is almost done with him.
btw I think you're really struggling with the good things the senior players did today, as an attacking force we were non existant and only really gathered momentum and ugency when we went 2-1 down.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926079#msg926079 date=1250460332]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926071#msg926071 date=1250460030]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926061#msg926061 date=1250459560]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926054#msg926054 date=1250459306]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926051#msg926051 date=1250459158]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926041#msg926041 date=1250458657]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926011#msg926011 date=1250457343]
forget it, it wont happen.
to get something off my chest, laying the blame at babel's door when the team was collectively rubbish fucking STINKS
[/quote]

Neil, that's pathetic. The team was shit but Babel summed up in one performance why people still say "this will be his year".

He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old.

*potential* my arse.
[/quote]

the TEAM was rubbish today so why single out individuals, do you want me to list all the things I thought torres, carra etc did wrong today. yeah they've been great in the past so they get a pass while the usual scapegoats take the absue. oh, for someone who has 'no game intelligence' I saw babel take up several excellent position but was missed by someone uttterly utterly idiotic passing decisions midfield.

you want to call him shit, fine.
you don't want him to start v stoke, fine.
but lets not fucking make out babel was the only person who put in a shit performance today, if you want I can name and shame the players and list the things they were doing poorly.
[/quote]I think his point is that Babel ALWAYS does it.
Its hard to argue with really. He is playing for Liverpool and doesnt do enough to warrant the status Liverpool player.
[/quote]

no he doesn't but still I hate scapegoats, its uncalled for and unfair. you go to the ratings thread and babel is getting 3's and 0's well what did kuyt do to deserve a more? or torres? and so on. when babel is finally shipped out the door I swear I will never have a favorite player again it's not worth the hassle.
[/quote]Torres - Laid the ball off for a gerrard strike, played the ball in that ekotou handballed, almost got onto a cross with his head, broke into the area only for kings studs to re-direct the gerrard cross.
Kuyt - played johnson in for the run to the pen, crossed that torres almost headed home.

Babel did nothing. Thats why he's getting poorer ratings. You cant see it, thats fine, i dont expect you to, youre laughably biased.
We were shit collectively, but some of the lads have earned the right to underperform once in a while babel has not. He ALWAYS underperforms. In 3 years you could count his good performances on 1 hand. He isnt going to suddenlly become the answer. Hes as old as messi ffs.
[/quote]

I'm not going to make out babel is something he is not and my patience is almost done with him.
btw I think you're really struggling with the good things the senior players did today, as an attacking force we were non existant and only really gathered momentum and ugency when we went 2-1 down.
[/quote]Course im fucking struggling, they were ALL fucking wank. You asked why Kuyt and Torres were getting slightly better ratings and im telling you. They were slightly better. That is all.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926077#msg926077 date=1250460231]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926064#msg926064 date=1250459586]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926059#msg926059 date=1250459482]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926057#msg926057 date=1250459372]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926052#msg926052 date=1250459263]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926041#msg926041 date=1250458657]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926011#msg926011 date=1250457343]
forget it, it wont happen.
to get something off my chest, laying the blame at babel's door when the team was collectively rubbish fucking STINKS
[/quote]

He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old.


[/quote]

*Coughs*

Lucas
[/quote]

Hmmm.. Kept things simple, got stuck in when needed, lacked a more attacking partner, whereas Babel was just fucking shit, and pointless, and brainless.
[/quote]

I thought Lucas did quite well today Mark.

I was referring to this:

"He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old"
[/quote]I think Mark is drunk.
[/quote]

It's the missus' birthday, she's so lovely.

PS, Neil and Rafa are two of my favourite posters, they both talk good football. I just don't get the Babel thing.
[/quote]

the babel thing is easily explained, I know fuck all about football and talk complete rubbish all the time but ONE thing no one can accuse me of is being fickle, it's not in my nature. I took to babel when he first joined and mostly he has disappointed me but I will remain a fan until the day he leaves but I redily hold up my hands and freely amit it is VERY unlikely for it to happen for babel here. there, I'm calling a spade a spade and I CAN be objective talking about ryan babel.

I'm a fan of the idea of what babel 'can be' not of what babel 'is'.
thanks for the compliment marky I love you too 🙂

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926081#msg926081 date=1250460528]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926079#msg926079 date=1250460332]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926071#msg926071 date=1250460030]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926061#msg926061 date=1250459560]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=35277.msg926054#msg926054 date=1250459306]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926051#msg926051 date=1250459158]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926041#msg926041 date=1250458657]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926011#msg926011 date=1250457343]
forget it, it wont happen.
to get something off my chest, laying the blame at babel's door when the team was collectively rubbish fucking STINKS
[/quote]

Neil, that's pathetic. The team was shit but Babel summed up in one performance why people still say "this will be his year".

He's the only 23 year old I know of who is still talked about as though he's a fucking 17 year old.

*potential* my arse.
[/quote]

the TEAM was rubbish today so why single out individuals, do you want me to list all the things I thought torres, carra etc did wrong today. yeah they've been great in the past so they get a pass while the usual scapegoats take the absue. oh, for someone who has 'no game intelligence' I saw babel take up several excellent position but was missed by someone uttterly utterly idiotic passing decisions midfield.

you want to call him shit, fine.
you don't want him to start v stoke, fine.
but lets not fucking make out babel was the only person who put in a shit performance today, if you want I can name and shame the players and list the things they were doing poorly.
[/quote]I think his point is that Babel ALWAYS does it.
Its hard to argue with really. He is playing for Liverpool and doesnt do enough to warrant the status Liverpool player.
[/quote]

no he doesn't but still I hate scapegoats, its uncalled for and unfair. you go to the ratings thread and babel is getting 3's and 0's well what did kuyt do to deserve a more? or torres? and so on. when babel is finally shipped out the door I swear I will never have a favorite player again it's not worth the hassle.
[/quote]Torres - Laid the ball off for a gerrard strike, played the ball in that ekotou handballed, almost got onto a cross with his head, broke into the area only for kings studs to re-direct the gerrard cross.
Kuyt - played johnson in for the run to the pen, crossed that torres almost headed home.

Babel did nothing. Thats why he's getting poorer ratings. You cant see it, thats fine, i dont expect you to, youre laughably biased.
We were shit collectively, but some of the lads have earned the right to underperform once in a while babel has not. He ALWAYS underperforms. In 3 years you could count his good performances on 1 hand. He isnt going to suddenlly become the answer. Hes as old as messi ffs.
[/quote]

I'm not going to make out babel is something he is not and my patience is almost done with him.
btw I think you're really struggling with the good things the senior players did today, as an attacking force we were non existant and only really gathered momentum and ugency when we went 2-1 down.
[/quote]Course im fucking struggling, they were ALL fucking wank. You asked why Kuyt and Torres were getting slightly better ratings and im telling you. They were slightly better. That is all.
[/quote]


chill out man I was venting 🙂

 

[Jack D Rips]

I just dont thik Babel is going to make it. amongst the shit today he was the shittiest. again

 

[keniget]

You've gone on a bit of an odd crusade today spidey. I don't think anyone blamed Babel for the loss today nor was he unfairly targeted or singled out.

He was pretty shit if we're honest and the reason he's getting a pasting as opposed to the likes of Gerrard and Torres is because they have proven enough to get away with shit performances untouched.

 

[charliesurf]

Neil - its admirable to stick up for him, but he has had 2 -3 decent going into his ( I think third season with us ). He was useless again today. The key to this is now Rafa - ship him the fuck out and give someone else a chance at it. The problem with Babel to me is simple, he does not have the desire/heart to make the difference we need to win the title.

The wee bit of luck you need to win a title comes from lots of belief in your ability and the belief in the ability of your team mates, he will never play a major part in us winning a title.

 

[rage]

i want yossi to start because he looked better than babel.

i'd want babel sold if anyone was stupid enough to put an offer in for him.

 

[irishred]

I think the reason Babel is receiving so much stick today is because the person who replaced him turned out to be the second best player in a red shirt, therefore making him out to be even worse. He's still the only player that I know of that progressed through the famous Ajax academy and still can't control the ball properly. In my opinion his best position is up front chasing long or killer passes so as he doesn't have to carry the ball and then blasting his shots with immense power. It's when he dallies in possession like he's doing at the moment he's made to look like a right tool.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

'Could everyone please give my controversial opinion some attention'

 

[Molbystwin]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

FUCK OFF.

... sorry R4 but ... fuck off.

I would not shed a tear if i never see that useless cunt in a Liverpool shirt again, the whole team was shit today i grant you but wereas other players have earned a shit game now and then Babel most certainly hasn't.

He is a fucking no mark and we should have sold him 6 weeks ago if not sooner. So when does he think his Liverpool career should start?

You can try and have this thread on another occasion perhaps but .... that fucker needs to win us a game or two before i will consider him even worthy of further discussion.

sorry, clearly i still havent calmed down yet.

I accept that a good few of our more illustrious players also stank the place out today but at least with them I know that a) they give a fuck and b) they have done the business in the past and will do it again for us in future.

Babel can take his fucking "potential" and stick it up his arse.

 

[The_Positive_One]

Ok, I never ever bash players that wear or shirt, and I'm not going to start now, but the simple fact is...

Babel should not start over Benny, Reira or any other player in our team....

He simply has no heart or passion when he is wearing the shirt....

He seems to be able to play well in orange, but not in red....

He need to either get his ass in gear, and play like his career depends on it or simply be let go....

As for Stoke, he will be crap again if he plays cause they are physical, and he is kind of a pansy....



Sean

 

[Fer9do]

Babel was utterly horrible against Spurs - there's no doubting that. What I don't understand though is why didn't Rafa pull him at the half? I know Spurs couldn't keep up the defensive pressure in the 2nd half and all, but we were a different side when Yossi came on. I don't mind giving Babel another run out or two, but we have to do something permanent about him soon. I'm tired of hearing about all the potential he has.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Babel was about as bad today as Bolo Zenden in his last year :-X

 

[Rosco]

[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=35277.msg926141#msg926141 date=1250471818]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

FUCK OFF.

... sorry R4 but ... fuck off.

I would not shed a tear if i never see that useless cunt in a Liverpool shirt again, the whole team was shit today i grant you but wereas other players have earned a shit game now and then Babel most certainly hasn't.

He is a fucking no mark and we should have sold him 6 weeks ago if not sooner. So when does he think his Liverpool career should start?

You can try and have this thread on another occasion perhaps but .... that fucker needs to win us a game or two before i will consider him even worthy of further discussion.

sorry, clearly i still havent calmed down yet.

I accept that a good few of our more illustrious players also stank the place out today but at least with them I know that a) they give a fuck and b) they have done the business in the past and will do it again for us in future.

Babel can take his fucking "potential" and stick it up his arse.
[/quote]

You seem to be angry all the time lately

 

[robinhood]

I think he'd be better as backup striker to Torres.

I'm not sure how much use he really is out wide - especially against opposition of reasonably quality.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=robinhood link=topic=35277.msg926222#msg926222 date=1250496635]
I think he'd be better as backup striker to Torres.

I'm not sure how much use he really is out wide - especially against opposition of reasonably quality.
[/quote]

I hate the way he practically sends a telegram in advance to a defender, you just know what he's going to do. Even for Holland when he gave Johnson a hard time, he was still frustrating to watch because most of the time there was no end product to what good work he did do.

Brainless.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926228#msg926228 date=1250497098]
[quote author=robinhood link=topic=35277.msg926222#msg926222 date=1250496635]
I think he'd be better as backup striker to Torres.

I'm not sure how much use he really is out wide - especially against opposition of reasonably quality.
[/quote]

I hate the way he practically sends a telegram in advance to a defender, you just know what he's going to do. Even for Holland when he gave Johnson a hard time, he was still frustrating to watch because most of the time there was no end product to what good work he did do.

Brainless.
[/quote]


like I said poor runs couple with good runs that were ignored by daft decisions from midfied.
the was one run in perticualr when he peeled off to the left and was completely unmarked because torres was dragging the defenders centrally and the midfielder sent the ball to a congested right flank. you don't need to be alonso to pick out the obvious pass.

 

[Sunny]

You could see a little - and I mean very little - more effort from Babel yesterday but,as usual, kept on running into blind alleys and delivered pretty much nothing. His saving grace was neither did anyone else. I so want Babel to be the success his raw talent could turn into but my head says it's never going to happen.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35277.msg926232#msg926232 date=1250497310]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926228#msg926228 date=1250497098]
[quote author=robinhood link=topic=35277.msg926222#msg926222 date=1250496635]
I think he'd be better as backup striker to Torres.

I'm not sure how much use he really is out wide - especially against opposition of reasonably quality.
[/quote]

like I said poor runs couple with good runs that were ignored by daft decisions from midfied.
the was one run in perticualr when he peeled off to the left and was completely unmarked because torres was dragging the defenders centrally and the midfielder sent the ball to a congested right flank. you don't need to be alonso to pick out the obvious pass.

I hate the way he practically sends a telegram in advance to a defender, you just know what he's going to do. Even for Holland when he gave Johnson a hard time, he was still frustrating to watch because most of the time there was no end product to what good work he did do.

Brainless.
[/quote]
[/quote]

You can't defend his performance on the back of things he did without the ball, when he had the ball he was shit with it practically every time.

Not one person who watched the game with me yesterday had an ounce of sympathy or a good word to say about that performance, it was diabolical and further proof that when he's given a chance, 9 times out of 10 he screws it up.

I used to think he was an exciting player with alot of raw talent, I don't even see that anymore, I just see an athlete who can crack a shot occasionally.

 

[Molbystwin]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=35277.msg926185#msg926185 date=1250491473]
[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=35277.msg926141#msg926141 date=1250471818]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

FUCK OFF.

... sorry R4 but ... fuck off.

I would not shed a tear if i never see that useless cunt in a Liverpool shirt again, the whole team was shit today i grant you but wereas other players have earned a shit game now and then Babel most certainly hasn't.

He is a fucking no mark and we should have sold him 6 weeks ago if not sooner. So when does he think his Liverpool career should start?

You can try and have this thread on another occasion perhaps but .... that fucker needs to win us a game or two before i will consider him even worthy of further discussion.

sorry, clearly i still havent calmed down yet.

I accept that a good few of our more illustrious players also stank the place out today but at least with them I know that a) they give a fuck and b) they have done the business in the past and will do it again for us in future.

Babel can take his fucking "potential" and stick it up his arse.
[/quote]

You seem to be angry all the time lately
[/quote]

I agree and i'm genuinely sorry about that, yes ... i've noticed it too. Sorry.

I was just mulling it over in my head whether i should watch that Stoke game it's potential to blow various mental gaskets is limitless.

I will try and take a chill pill of some description. It's true that many players sucked yesterday reserving sympathy for Babel is plainly obscure.

Babel will remain shite regardless even if i mellow.

 

[ArneSlot4PM]

[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=35277.msg926141#msg926141 date=1250471818]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

FUCK OFF.

... sorry R4 but ... fuck off.

I would not shed a tear if i never see that useless cunt in a Liverpool shirt again, the whole team was shit today i grant you but wereas other players have earned a shit game now and then Babel most certainly hasn't.

He is a fucking no mark and we should have sold him 6 weeks ago if not sooner. So when does he think his Liverpool career should start?

You can try and have this thread on another occasion perhaps but .... that fucker needs to win us a game or two before i will consider him even worthy of further discussion.

sorry, clearly i still havent calmed down yet.

I accept that a good few of our more illustrious players also stank the place out today but at least with them I know that a) they give a fuck and b) they have done the business in the past and will do it again for us in future.

Babel can take his fucking "potential" and stick it up his arse.
[/quote]

No offence taken mate.

I can't recall defending Babel much in the past, but i do think we should at least stick with him this week for the Stoke game.

Rafa clearly thought he was good enough to start this game (going on pre season form), so imo he should show a little faith in the lad and play him again.

 

[LadyRed]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=35277.msg926007#msg926007 date=1250457212]
I hope he plays against Stoke.

If we are to get the best out of him, then Rafa needs to show a little faith in the lad.
[/quote]

I agree Raf. Time to back him or sell him.

 

[robinhood]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926228#msg926228 date=1250497098]
[quote author=robinhood link=topic=35277.msg926222#msg926222 date=1250496635]
I think he'd be better as backup striker to Torres.

I'm not sure how much use he really is out wide - especially against opposition of reasonably quality.
[/quote]

I hate the way he practically sends a telegram in advance to a defender, you just know what he's going to do. Even for Holland when he gave Johnson a hard time, he was still frustrating to watch because most of the time there was no end product to what good work he did do.

Brainless.
[/quote]

I don't feel this way about him. I think he's just lost for ideas in wider areas. He's better in shorter bursts - to create something from the wing you usually have to stay on the ball longer and have more defenders to beat. If he was the out and out striker or the second striker, usually it's just one defender.; sure, it's not *easier*, but it's definitely a different thing.

Torres wouldn't be the same player if we played him on the left wing - it's unfair to completely disregard Babel on these wide performances.

Anyway, it's not like he's going to replace anyone in those positions, so he's a bit screwed. That's why I reckon he should just play backup striker.

 

[Delinquent]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926035#msg926035 date=1250458474]
I hope Rafa doesn't play him against Stoke, because he's quite clearly, despite the usual sympathisers, really fucking shit.
[/quote]

Babel is useless as a starter, I think that much is pretty clear. He needs to play against shit teams who'll give him time and space on the ball. In that respect, Stoke might be a chance for him to make up for a dire showing yesterday.

It's either that or let him run at tired defences late in a game. That's why he developed a reputation as an impact sub in his first season - because the games had slowed sufficiently for him to have that extra split second to make a decision. The problem is when we face quality opposition, where the pace is furious and space is at a premium. That's when he gets properly found out.

It's a shame really, because on his day, he can be devastating. I just think Benitez has to pick the right situations to play him, and more often than not that's going to be as a substitute.

 

[ibromurph]

[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=35277.msg926723#msg926723 date=1250533794]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35277.msg926035#msg926035 date=1250458474]
I hope Rafa doesn't play him against Stoke, because he's quite clearly, despite the usual sympathisers, really fucking shit.
[/quote]

Babel is useless as a starter, I think that much is pretty clear. He needs to play against shit teams who'll give him time and space on the ball. In that respect, Stoke might be a chance for him to make up for a dire showing yesterday.

It's either that or let him run at tired defences late in a game. That's why he developed a reputation as an impact sub in his first season - because the games had slowed sufficiently for him to have that extra split second to make a decision. The problem is when we face quality opposition, where the pace is furious and space is at a premium. That's when he gets properly found out.

It's a shame really, because on his day, he can be devastating. I just think Benitez has to pick the right situations to play him, and more often than not that's going to be as a substitute.
[/quote]

+1, good post.

Though i'm not sure i'd agree "on his day, he can be devastating".. perhaps "very decent" would be more apt, but agree with everything else.