Fringe Players

[richwilks]

The main worry for me during the game last night was the quality of the players we brought off the bench.

 

1-0 to a top Spanish side and I don't see players like Ngog and Lucas as the sort of players who can pull a team apart. Add to that the fact that Babel looks like a player with potential but it is staying just that, potential.

 

Looking at the first team squad we have the following players who are always in with a shout of first team football and can play without weakening the team...

 

Reina

Arbeloa

Aurelio

Agger

Skrtel

Hyypia

Carragher

Kuyt

Riera

Mascherano

Alonso

Gerrard

Keane

Torres

 

15 top players. But with a couple of injuries we're in the position where players like Ngog and Lucas are the ones we are needing to call on. Even players like Babel and Benayoun I don't feel add a lot to the team when they come on and are certainly not doing enough to justify being considered to start.

 

As the season goes on and injuries and fatigue set in I think there's a real worry about the strength in depth we have.

 

All that said, I feel we can beat anyone when we have our top 11 out on the pitch.

[Jacks Jackie Jackson]

John Aldridge said exactly the same thing on City last night. As well as commenting unfavourably on Benayoun's abilities. Am I the only one with any faith left in the little Israeli?

[Hassony]

John Aldridge said exactly the same thing on City last night. As well as commenting unfavourably on Benayoun's abilities. Am I the only one with any faith left in the little Israeli?

 

Mike loves him

[Guest Snorky]

At the moment I doubt if Benayoun would get a game or deserve one in the ladies team.

[downunder]

At the moment I doubt if Benayoun would get a game or deserve one in the ladies team.

 

Maybe that's because he is not a lady :-)

[Guest Snorky]

Maybe that's because he is not a lady :-)

 

 

 

you got me there

[fred milne]

I wouldn't start with either at the moment but I do think both Benayoun (on the right) and, in particular, Babel (on the left) have shown previously they can have an impact coming off the bench.

 

I also reckon Lucas is decent cover for Xabi and Masch.

[floyd]

It's such a shame Nemeth is injured. The lad has a touch of class about him

[yellow jumper]

for me benyoun at least offers a variety in style. he's perhaps the only player we have whose natural game is about quick, short passing and movement. we don't score enough goals in that way. he can also be a decent dribbler of the ball.

[richwilks]

I wouldn't start with either at the moment but I do think both Benayoun (on the right) and, in particular, Babel (on the left) have shown previously they can have an impact coming off the bench.

 

I also reckon Lucas is decent cover for Xabi and Masch.

 

I can't think of too many games where Benayoun has had an impact coming off the bench, or starting. There have been a couple but given the amount of chances he gets they are too few and far between.

 

As for Babel. I'm really starting to lose patience with him. There is no doubting he has all the attributes to be a top player and he has shown on quite a few occasions that he can impress when coming on as a sub but I don't think he's really done that this season apart from the Chelsea game. I think his development has actually gone backwards this season, maybe that's because a few have figured him out.

 

I think I'd be happy if we could recoup the money we laid out on Benayoun, Lucas and Babel in January. If someone came in with 11m, 5m and 5m, given our financial situation I think I'd take it and look to bring in some players who would impact more on the starting XI.

[yellow jumper]

the assist in the chelsea CL semi last year and wigan goal away were two crucial contributions, at least. think he got double figures last season.

[Senrab_nhoj]

I can't think of too many games where Benayoun has had an impact coming off the bench, or starting. There have been a couple but given the amount of chances he gets they are too few and far between.

 

As for Babel. I'm really starting to lose patience with him. There is no doubting he has all the attributes to be a top player and he has shown on quite a few occasions that he can impress when coming on as a sub but I don't think he's really done that this season apart from the Chelsea game. I think his development has actually gone backwards this season, maybe that's because a few have figured him out.

 

I think I'd be happy if we could recoup the money we laid out on Benayoun, Lucas and Babel in January. If someone came in with 11m, 5m and 5m, given our financial situation I think I'd take it and look to bring in some players who would impact more on the starting XI.

 

you are having a laugh aren't you?

[Eskimo]

I can understand peoples worries of late but IMO the issue isn't so much the personnel but the team selection up front. We have been controlling games and some of our build up play has been very very good, its just that final third where its falling down.

 

It reminds me a bit of the Engerlund scenario, bar Torres we have been fielding our best players but not necessarily the best team. Keane can't hold the line, its not his game and with Gerrard playing behind him we haven't really got anyone in the box to finish off the move a number 10 if you like. Torres is on his way back now, but god forbid should he get injured again I rather keep Gerrard in the middle and play Kuyt or even Ngog alongside Keane as it gives us that extra body in the box, also means Gerrard can break from deep. Just think it would give us a better balance upfront.

[richwilks]

you are having a laugh aren't you?

 

 

Perhaps it's over the top. I don't know. I just don't see anything coming from him at the moment.

 

He's not going to replace Torres upfront, he's not going to replace Riera on the left, he's not going to replace Kuyt on the right. He's not going to sit on the bench all season being used as an impact player, he's not even really making an impact on games when he comes on at the moment.

[richwilks]

I can understand peoples worries of late but IMO the issue isn't so much the personnel but the team selection up front. We have been controlling games and some of our build up play has been very very good, its just that final third where its falling down.

 

It reminds me a bit of the Engerlund scenario, bar Torres we have been fielding our best players but not necessarily the best team. Keane can't hold the line, its not his game and with Gerrard playing behind him we haven't really got anyone in the box to finish off the move a number 10 if you like. Torres is on his way back now, but god forbid should he get injured again I rather keep Gerrard in the middle and play Kuyt or even Ngog alongside Keane as it gives us that extra body in the box, also means Gerrard can break from deep. Just think it would give us a better balance upfront.

 

 

There's definitely a hole upfront at the moment and will always be when Torres is out.

 

Keane just isn't working at the moment but I'm sure he'll come good and I believe he can lead the line.

 

Nemeth would be the one I'd like to see up top though, not Ngog. I don't really see any natural progression between the reserves and the first team at the moment though.

 

Would have loved to have seen El Zhar as an impact player last night. In the games he's come on he's produced so he should be given more chances.

[Guest Silkky Skillz]

What is the fuzz about Lucas? Think he is crap most of the time he plays.

[richwilks]

What is the fuzz about Lucas? Think he is crap most of the time he plays.

 

He seems to be an all round midfielder. Can win the ball, can pass, can defend, can get forward, has a good shot on him etc.

 

Trouble is he doesn't do much of it very well, gives away too many fouls, gives the ball away and is ligthweight.

[The Hitman]

He's not going to replace Torres upfront, he's not going to replace Riera on the left, he's not going to replace Kuyt on the right. He's not going to sit on the bench all season being used as an impact player, he's not even really making an impact on games when he comes on at the moment.

I agree with all of this,he just doesn't seem to fit anywhere.It's a bit worrying,because I think he's stagnated and I don't think he's a winger at all.

I don't think playing him there does him any favours,he makes a minimal impact most of the time,and isn't learning anything about how he should be playing in his proper position-up front.

[Hassony]

What is the fuzz about Lucas? Think he is crap most of the time he plays.

 

 

He seems to be an all round midfielder. Can win the ball, can pass, can defend, can get forward, has a good shot on him etc.

 

Trouble is he doesn't do much of it very well, gives away too many fouls, gives the ball away and is ligthweight.

 

How many times did he give the ball away yesterday and against portsmouth? how many fouls did he give? and he seems much stonger now than last season

 

but than again you are so clueless that you want to sell Babel in january so there is probably no point arguing with you

[richwilks]

How many times did he give the ball away yesterday and against portsmouth? how many fouls did he give? and he seems much stonger now than last season

 

but than again you are so clueless that you want to sell Babel in january so there is probably no point arguing with you

 

 

Easy tiger.

 

I'm not saying we should sell him in January but if someone came up with the funds meaning that we could buy a player who could impact on the starting XI more then it should be considered. He's in limbo at the moment, how long before he decides to leave to get regular starts? He's not doing enough to start for us.

[Bigal]

Easy tiger.

 

I'm not saying we should sell him in January but if someone came up with the funds meaning that we could buy a player who could impact on the starting XI more then it should be considered. He's in limbo at the moment, how long before he decides to leave to get regular starts? He's not doing enough to start for us.

 

Not having a go or owt like that but is Robbie Keane?

[richwilks]

Not having a go or owt like that but is Robbie Keane?

 

Not at all.

[Hassony]

Easy tiger.

 

I'm not saying we should sell him in January but if someone came up with the funds meaning that we could buy a player who could impact on the starting XI more then it should be considered. He's in limbo at the moment, how long before he decides to leave to get regular starts? He's not doing enough to start for us.

 

So who shall we get in january? Dean Windass?

[Bigal]

maybe thats what should happen, Babel upfront v west brom from the start

[richwilks]

So who shall we get in january? Dean Windass?

 

YOu're missing the point a bit.

 

I'm saying that if an offer came along which enabled us to buy a player who would improve our starting XI then we should consider it. Babel isn't improving our starting XI at the moment and I don't think he will this season at least.

 

You may have different ideas on Dean Windass, I'm not sure what you look for in a player, but I don't believe he'd improve our starting XI. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that Babel is better than Dean Windass. Sorry if that ailienates you.