Time to play a few youngsters in the first team

[magneto]

I'm not sure when we'll know if we've secured 3rd or 4th but I'd like some of the youngsters to be given a chance in order to rest the so-called "Big Guns" for the games against Chelsea.

 

I'd like to see Paul Anderson, Jack Hobbs, Gabriel Paletta, Jordy Brouwer etc. given 1 or 2 cameo appearances.

[jimmylibel]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Insua given a game before the end of the season. In fact wouldn't be totally surprised if he started against Wigan.

[Leo No.8]

I'm not sure when we'll know if we've secured 3rd or 4th but I'd like some of the youngsters to be given a chance in order to rest the so-called "Big Guns" for the games against Chelsea.

 

I'd like to see Paul Anderson, Jack Hobbs, Gabriel Paletta, Jordy Brouwer etc. given 1 or 2 cameo appearances.

 

I think of the youngsters who aren't out on loan, Lindfield and Insua may be most likely to get a chance if we tie up third.

 

Fowler really struggled last night, and Lindfield has been knocking them in for the reserves and youth sides. I think Rafa may want to protect our three front line strikers because losing any of them would cut down his options seriously. Crouch, Kuyt and Bellamy all offer different possibilities in the Champions League.

 

Insua looks a very good prospect and with Aurelio out for the season and possibly beyond Rafa may want to give him a taste of first team action. Out of all of them I think he looks the most capable of making the step up.

 

Anderson hasn't had a great season - he's got the talent but for me he needs to go out on loan to The Championship next year to build some confidence. Hobbs looks to have been playing well lately but Sami is on hand for if either centre half needs a break. Paletta may get on if we rest both centre halves.

Edited April 12, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Benitez]

why Jordy Brouwer? Has he been doing alright or something?

 

We have some quite young players in the first team squad like Mascher, Gonzalez, Agger, Alvaro and Sissoko and some of those could probably do with the games! Mascher for instance hasn't played much this season, I hope he continues to get a good run now. Same for Gonzalez, his season has been stop start, so I'd prefer to see him get a run of games more than anyone else.

[Leo No.8]

why Jordy Brouwer? Has he been doing alright or something?

 

We have some quite young players in the first team squad like Mascher, Gonzalez, Agger, Alvaro and Sissoko and some of those could probably do with the games! Mascher for instance hasn't played much this season, I hope he continues to get a good run now. Same for Gonzalez, his season has been stop start, so I'd prefer to see him get a run of games more than anyone else.

 

Certainly agree on Gonzalez - he should be played as many times as possible now in the league run in. I thought he should have started last night.

 

I think of the others you've mentioned Rafa will rest Mascherano where necessary though because he already looks crucial to us, and same with Agger. Momo and Arbeloa could feature heavily in our league run-in, as should Pennant.

[jimmylibel]

I think of the youngsters who aren't out on loan, Lindfield and Insua may be most likely to get a chance if we tie up third.

 

Fowler really struggled last night, and Lindfield has been knocking them in for the reserves and youth sides. I think Rafa may want to protect our three front line strikers because losing any of them would cut down his options seriously. Crouch, Kuyt and Bellamy all offer different possibilities in the Champions League.

 

Insua looks a very good prospect and with Aurelio out for the season and possibly beyond Rafa may want to give him a taste of first team action. Out of all of them I think he looks the most capable of making the step up.

 

Anderson hasn't had a great season - he's got the talent but for me he needs to go out on loan to The Championship next year to build some confidence. Hobbs looks to have been playing well lately but Sami is on hand for if either centre half needs a break. Paletta may get on if we rest both centre halves.

 

I see what you're getting at but I think he'll give Robbie another run out or two. Would be surprised to see Lindfield figure.

 

 

 

I'm not sure when we'll know if we've secured 3rd or 4th but I'd like some of the youngsters to be given a chance in order to rest the so-called "Big Guns" for the games against Chelsea.

 

I'd like to see Paul Anderson, Jack Hobbs, Gabriel Paletta, Jordy Brouwer etc. given 1 or 2 cameo appearances.

 

Brouwer isn't even first choice for the reserves. Doubt he's going to be knocking on the first team door any time soon.

[magneto]

I think Brouwer should be given a chance because I feel he needs to be thrown into the deep-end to see what he's really capable of.

 

If Bellamy was injured for the rest of the season last night then we would have only had 2 reliable strikers for the remainder of the season (I dont count Fowler as someone we can rely on).

 

Agree about Insua..would like to see him in action against Wigan or Middlesbrough perhaps.

[jimmylibel]

I think Brouwer should be given a chance because I feel he needs to be thrown into the deep-end to see what he's really capable of.

 

If Bellamy was injured for the rest of the season last night then we would have only had 2 reliable strikers for the remainder of the season (I dont count Fowler as someone we can rely on).

 

Agree about Insua..would like to see him in action against Wigan or Middlesbrough perhaps.

 

But that could apply to any of the youngsters - why Brouwer?

 

I wouldn't get my hopes up about him. From what the Ajax people were saying before we signed him and from what he seems to have done since I doubt he's going to be a world star anytime soon.

 

Of course if Steve H agrees with me all bets are off.

[Leo No.8]

I think Brouwer should be given a chance because I feel he needs to be thrown into the deep-end to see what he's really capable of.

 

If Bellamy was injured for the rest of the season last night then we would have only had 2 reliable strikers for the remainder of the season (I dont count Fowler as someone we can rely on).

 

I agree on giving a young striker a chance for the above reasons but I think I'd go for Lindfield ahead of Brouwer. He's been far more prolific and has been at the club for years, wheras Brouwer is still geting used to English football.

 

Lindfield is more of a poacher as well, which looking to the future we're in need of more than a back to goal type forward, as we already have Kuyt and Crouch.

[magneto]

What about giving Padelli or Dudek a run?

[johngibo YPC]

What about giving Dudek a run?

 

get out

[Leo No.8]

What about giving Dudek a run?

 

[Christine]

What about giving Dudek a run?

 

Pls god no.

 

I don?t think we should do anything too radical, we have a big squad and apart from protecting our forward line I think Rafa should just stick to his normal rotation.

[Sion]

The only youngster I feel will be played is Paletta and maybe Lindfield. Maybe also Insua or Hobbs at a push

[fred]

Dudek to come off the bench for the pens in Athens....

[genghis]

Dudek to come off the bench for the pens in Athens....

 

except that Reina came to us with a rep for saving penalties in Spain... and Jerzy's had his time in the sun where that's concerned

[fred]

except that Reina came to us with a rep for saving penalties in Spain... and Jerzy's had his time in the sun where that's concerned

 

I spoke in jest - I seem to remember Reina doing alright with pens on that balmy afternoon in Cardiff...

[IgPig]

except that Reina came to us with a rep for saving penalties in Spain... and Jerzy's had his time in the sun where that's concerned

 

 

Didn't do too bad in the fa cup final either

[Phil236849]

Didn't do too bad in the fa cup final either

 

there was certainly a bad odour coming from one half of the ground and their heroes after that magnificent save from zamora's pen caused a sudden bout of pant-cackin

[Maldini]

I wouldn't be overly surprised if Jay Spearing gets a run, he's been great in the cup run and dominated the two reserve games he's played in recently.

[difs.oner]

Bring back Partridge!!!!

[trowie]

I wouldn't be overly surprised if Jay Spearing gets a run, he's been great in the cup run and dominated the two reserve games he's played in recently.

Hasn't he only just stepped up from the youth's.

He obviously has something but think he needs to acclimatise to this new level first if that's the case

 

Abblett is also talking about a change in his position. Was a centre half, only small, but Abblett is talking about him realising being a centre mid. So that will take a season or so to make that transformation.

Edited April 13, 2007 by trowie

[Scaryscouse]

I'd give El Zhar another crack at the first team.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I'd give El Zhar another crack at the first team.

 

We need him to succeed. Having someone with a name like that in the side could be the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle to bring home #19.

[KD07]

El Zhar and Insua for the win.