Lucas and Babel

[MFletcher]

It was a brave decision to throw them both into such a big game, especially with the likes of Alonso left on the bench. I thought they were both extremely positive with the ball and did their jobs extremely well. It was an important game for Rafa tonight, so it's a huge vote of confidence for them to get in ahead of experienced players.

 

I'm very pleased with their contributions tonight.

[dorgie]

Definitely agree about Lucas. Looked much better. Babel really needs to believe some more in his own ability, which will happen in time.

[Raj]

Thought Lucas had a good game. Babel was average for me, but showed some flashes of skill in the first half.

Either way, neither let themselves down against strong opponents

[Swipe]

They did well.

 

I was raging again when Kuyt stayed on and Babel got hauled off, but what do I know!

 

Hope Rafa is brave enough to play RB in Italy.

 

We'll no doubt be defending for a fair bit, so some pace on the counter will be vital

[Falconhoof]

nobody hid tonight. I don't think you can single anyone out. They all played their part.

[pipnasty]

I thought Babel played really well in the first half but faded in the second. Lucas was very good and very effective. I think Rafa is doing the right thing with them both and they are progressing very nicely indeed.

[Guest Prongsy]

I think it should be Torres and Babel up front in the San Siro. They are going to have to bring it to us, big time. Gerrard and Alonso playing them in behind/over the top...

 

Perfect.

[gkmacca]

Definitely agree about Lucas. Looked much better. Babel really needs to believe some more in his own ability, which will happen in time.

 

I quite agree. Babel played one short pass in the second half that was so nervously over-precise it was telegraphed to every opposing player in the vicinity. But he's got plenty of promise.

[dorgie]

Hope Rafa is brave enough to play RB in Italy.

 

I think he might be a bit overweight at this stage. Anyway, Finnan did well there tonight.

[anfield11]

I thought Lucas was really really good tonight. He did everything you'd expect of an on form Xabi.

[Eskimo]

I thought Babel played really well in the first half but faded in the second. Lucas was very good and very effective. I think Rafa is doing the right thing with them both and they are progressing very nicely indeed.

 

Agree.....

[MFletcher]

nobody hid tonight. I don't think you can single anyone out. They all played their part.

 

I'm coming at it from the angle that they're both young men who have been in and out of the side, but the manager has backed them in a hugely important game - both for the club and himself - over more experienced and long serving players such as Alonso and even Kewell. It's a huge vote of confidence for them, and they stepped up to the plate tonight.

Edited February 19, 2008 by MFletcher

[Falconhoof]

I think it should be Torres and Babel up front in the San Siro. They are going to have to bring it to us, big time. Gerrard and Alonso playing them in behind/over the top...

 

Perfect.

 

Alonso ?

remind me when his last good performance was ?

 

I'd pick Alonso and Mascherano ahead of him at the moment.

[alias75]

I wonder if its a case of Rafa realising he's lost certain players or they aren't up to the job anymore so hes given a chance to 2 young players he signed only a short time ago who im sure are still fully behind him.

 

Playing young players in this type of big game will do wonders for their confidence and they both came through it with credit.

[Swipe]

I think he might be a bit overweight at this stage. Anyway, Finnan did well there tonight.

 

 

 

Finnan was great tonight, Imo

[Guest Prongsy]

Alonso ?

remind me when his last good performance was ?

 

I'd pick Alonso and Mascherano ahead of him at the moment.

 

Computer says no.

 

He's got loads of experience and has hardly played since his injury.

 

I personally think Alonso is being lined up for the next whipping boy. He's a top class player.

 

Point remains the same with Lucas instead. I'd want mascherano, our best player, in the team whatever the other two players do.

Edited February 19, 2008 by Prongsy

[Owen1978]

Lucas, has great mobilty to his game, something Alonso will always lack, he's ideal imo next Masch - they compliment each other well

Edited February 19, 2008 by Owen1978

[Earl Hafler]

Definitely agree about Lucas. Looked much better. Babel really needs to believe some more in his own ability, which will happen in time.

 

He flicked it round one of their players and left another two for dead. Still needs to do more but he's had a few more starts recently and the confidence will do him good.

There are signs that the side that faced Chelsea and Inter has potential.

[Swipe]

Seemed like Inter really hated playing against Masch and Lucas in the middle of the park.

 

Scared s*** of Gerrard too

[Falconhoof]

Computer says no.

 

I mistyped, obviously I meant to say 'I'd pick Lucas and Mascherano ahead of him'

He's got loads of experience and has hardly played since his injury.

 

I personally think Alonso is being lined up for the next whipping boy. He's a top class player.

 

he needs to show it and this game is too important to let a player prove his form after injury. Maybe he'll get enough chances in the next few wekks to show he can. Nothing to do with whipping boys, its about picking the most in form players.

Lucas and Mascherano did all you could ask of them tonight.

Edited February 19, 2008 by Graham

[MFletcher]

he needs to show it and this game is too important to let a player prove his form after injury. Maybe he'll get enough chances in the next few wekks to show he can. Nothing to do with whipping boys, its about picking the most in form players.

Lucas and Mascherano did all you could ask of them tonight.

 

Spot on.

 

The pairing looks to have real potential as well - they seem to work very well together.

[Guest Prongsy]

he needs to show it and this game is too important to let a player prove his form after injury. Maybe he'll get enough chances in the next few wekks to show he can. Nothing to do with whipping boys, its about picking the most in form players.

Lucas and Mascherano did all you could ask of them tonight.

 

Like I say, doesn't really matter if it's Lucas or Alonso, in my opinion. It's much more the role they will be providing in the team. The point I'm trying to make is passing midfielders feeding fast players up front (Tores and Babel).

 

We do need to get Alonso playing and back in form ASAP though, we are missing a massive connection between Alonso and Torres...

Edited February 19, 2008 by Prongsy

[Reds4Life]

The skinny "Tarmac" is starting to show his potential... lost his way a little after his great start to the season but he is going to be something special... maybe him behind Torres and Kuyt will work in the future.

 

Lucas.. I like this kid. He has all the qualities of a footballer and he is going to be one of our best in 2-3 years time...

 

Forget Wenger.. yes he has got a great team but when this team clicks, f***ing watch out everyone.

[Owen1978]

If Alonso & Masch, were paired together the attacking onus would have been with xabi, the problem that would have created is that xabi is not a box to box player, and likes to sit back and spray it about and hasnt got the pace to make driving runs, Lucas may not have the passing ability of Xabi but who does? but he offers great mobilty, great touch, technique, he's got a good shot on him and is always on the move

Edited February 19, 2008 by Owen1978

[alias75]

Babel does some sublime stuff in most games, he just to work on his final ball and not fade out of games, but lets not forget what Ronaldo was like in his first 12-18 months at Utd.

 

But sometimes he beats his man with so much ease its frightening and hes the type of players thats only going to improve the more games he plays and the better his decision making becomes.