Ryan Babel

[Couldbe]

He came on today against Arsenal to day a job when they were down to 10 men, for those 25 minutes he was diabolical.

 

How does he expect to start games if he plays like that??

 

Reckon Rafa has marked his card down for the exit come the summer.

Edited December 21, 2008 by Couldbe

[Swipe]

His confidence looks gone, but it was another embarrassing performance from him today. Really poor.

 

I don't seem him having a future here, to be honest.

[windy city red]

He is lacking confidence right now. It was made more difficult because Arsenal was closing players down really quickly and Babel doesnt really do well when he's asked to collect the ball, hes better running onto the ball. He put a decent cross in with his left leg though...one of the rare times I have seen him do it.

Edited December 21, 2008 by windy city red

[Maldini]

Arsenal weren't sitting back though

[gns]

Never easy to come on and make an impact, especially given the lack of playing time he has had this season. Most people who have gone up front for us have struggled this season.

[Kring]

Did any Liverpool player perform after Arsenal went down to 10 men?

[windy city red]

Arsenal weren't sitting back though

 

being online at 3am doesnt help. I wanted to say closing down but typed sitting back instead.

[alias75]

Hes very un-Rafa like in his attitude, thats not a bad thing but he is the type of player thats going to blow hot and cold and sometimes look disinterested, the people that are crying out for more flair and creativity in the team need to understand with that usually comes a player that will blow hot and cold, those players that play with flair on a consistent level and also show a great work ethic are very few and far between.

 

I think Rafa wants a team of 8 or 9 top notch professionals that are 7 out of 10 most weeks and always show a good attitude and have with that 1 or 2 like Torres and Gerrard who also have that great professionalism but also great attacking ability, and usually one of those 2 can make the difference.

 

Somebody like Babel is more of a Wenger type player but hes a useful player to have in the squad, but i think people need to understand the type of player he is hes best used in short bursts and while he develops hes always going to blow hot and cold thats just the type of player he is.

[Coyler]

He was extremely disappointing again ... "no more, no less".

[Captain Carrot]

Didn't make the impact we all hoped he would. Lost the ball to often. One good cross and then struggled.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

He was so disappointing that a raw 19yr old was trying to make up for invisible man act - a brave decision from Insua considering how well Arsenal can exploit space on the counter if they are playing well.

[allawee]

Still feel sorry for him and hope he has a future with us.

 

He played very well against PSV and was MoM for many on this forum...and then against Hull at home, he was dropped to the bench.

 

Not sure this is good man management by Rafa specially if his confidence is fragile and he is only 19 years old.

[McBain]

I like him but he was comically bad today.

 

When N'gog was coming on i half expected his number to be up

[kop205]

Is he playing poorly because he hasn't had enough of a run?

 

Or has he not had much of a run because he's been playing poorly?

 

I'm in the latter camp.

 

Have always been baffled by the Barnes comparisons one or two persistently come out with. When I think 'Barnes' I think gracefulness and languid, effortless genuis. I've never seen that from Babel.

 

Having said that, he has other attributes and I hope he makes it.

[CarraLegend]

Ability - definitely

 

Physically attribute - brilliant

 

Desire - no

 

Brain - no.

 

I'm leaning towards the he wont make it here side now and no doubt Rafa will get lynched for it when he scores his first goal for another club but it'll be no ones fault but his own. It's up to him.

[Swipe]

Barnes was a genius, with all the physical attributes he needed - but he was also a few steps ahead of the opposition most of the time. It's why he was able to readjust his game and move into the middle when his pace went.

 

Babel has pace and power but he's fairly brainless. There doesn't seem to be an ounce of cuteness or guile or cunning in his locker.

[Flasher]

As a footballer, he's brainless.

[kop205]

Barnes was a genius, with all the physical attributes he needed - but he was also a few steps ahead of the opposition most of the time. It's why he was able to readjust his game and move into the middle when his pace went.

 

Babel has pace and power but he's fairly brainless. There doesn't seem to be an ounce of cuteness or guile or cunning in his locker.

 

Pretty much my assessment of him. Though I'd also say that he lacks the ability to show genuine finesse and skill on a regular basis as well. He's as likely to mis-control a ball as he is to bring it under control. That is why I'd disagree with those how say things like he has all the ability in the world and his problems are all about attitude or game intelligence.

 

I don't think he does have the ability that some claim.

[Swipe]

Pretty much my assessment of him. Though I'd also say that he lacks the ability to show genuine finesse and skill on a regular basis as well. He's as likely to mis-control a ball as he is to bring it under control. That is why I'd disagree with those how say things like he has all the ability in the world and his problems are all about attitude or game intelligence.

 

I don't think he does have the ability that some claim.

 

Probably true. Even at his best, he's a direct player. He's not going to do with Ronaldo or Messi can do.

 

But he has pace and power. Those two facets should be enough to make hugely dangerous to premiership defenders and a constant threat.

 

Instead he prefer to meander around the pitch, stumbling on the ball on the few occasions he gets it

[Ombudsam]

I really like Babel but he was pretty bad eh!

 

He's played well coming on as a sub before and I still think with a run and confidence he'll be good. You can't just keep using someone as a sub all the time and expect them to be great everytime

[Kite]

He came on today against Arsenal to day a job when they were down to 10 men, for those 25 minutes he was diabolical.

 

How does he expect to start games if he plays like that??

 

Reckon Rafa has marked his card down for the exit come the summer.

Babel makes me question Rafa's ability to get the best from young players. He came here with lots of attention and suggestions that he could be the next Henry, now he looks full of doubt and completely lacking in confidence. Don't know what happened there but it hasn't been good for player or club.

[Billy Dane]

Babel was very poor today, but Insua aside I don't think anyone did well after the sending off. The positive I'm taking out of today is the disappointment I feel at only getting one point from today's game. We are contenders!

[madaboutlfc]

Babel makes me question Rafa's ability to get the best from young players. He came here with lots of attention and suggestions that he could be the next Henry, now he looks full of doubt and completely lacking in confidence. Don't know what happened there but it hasn't been good for player or club.

i think you are being overly harsh on Rafas man management.. Rafa brought on Aimars and Vicentes game when they were young.. The problem with Babel is he is a lazy moody c***.. If he had mentality of a Kuyt he would already be considered world class

[Billy Dane]

If he had mentality of a Kuyt he would already be considered world class

 

very true

[Kite]

i think you are being overly harsh on Rafas man management.. Rafa brought on Aimars and Vicentes game when they were young.. The problem with Babel is he is a lazy moody c***.. If he had mentality of a Kuyt he would already be considered world class

How do you actually know he is a lazy moody c*** rather than a pissed off, unmotivated c***?