How will Rafa bring Torres back into the team

[Bootle Buck]

Will he automatically put him in as a starter or will he let the lads who are playing well keep their place and use him sparringly until the chance to put him back in occurs. I must admit I would be unhappy as a striker if I was dropped after doing so well. He is obviously one of the best strikers in the world but to be fair to Keane, Kuyt et al we have not really missed a beat without him. It will be interesting to see how Rafa approaches it.

Edited December 29, 2008 by Bootle Buck

[floyd the barber]

he is fernando torres.....he starts if he is 100%..end of story.

 

Also regarding him being slowly brought bk in...ie used as a sub for next 2-3 games, im not a fan of that.......especially with hamstrings, does more harm than good in my opinion.

[MFletcher]

He's too good not to put straight back into the side once he's fit.

[Bootle Buck]

I agree the natural thing would be to put him straight back in but Rafa has the luxury of easing him back as the boys playing right now are doing so well.

[Frosty Jack]

let him rot in the reserves

[John am Rhein]

I don't see the point of playing Torres vs Preston. Play him at Stoke (from the start) and then take it from there.

[Ramón Benítez Hernández]

I don't see the point of playing Torres vs Preston. Play him at Stoke (from the start) and then take it from there.

 

 

Is right.

[HeWonItFromBrock]

In hindsight there has been an advantage to Torres being out in that it has meant that the rest of the team has had to step up to the mark and take more responsibility which they have done fantastically. I hope we keep that up when he returns.

[Stevie H]

it's really simple, if he's fit, he plays. you fit the others in around him.

[Bromage]

IMHO I don't believe any of our strikers are so "hot" at the moment that they would make it difficult for Torres to return. The comment earlier about the dangers of being gently eased back are spot on, so I would play him as soon as he is ready and take him off when he's tired.

[AE]

I have a feeling we will see him for 60 minutes this weekend.

[McBain]

Will he automatically put him in as a starter or will he let the lads who are playing well keep their place

 

I think the answer to that was given yesterday with Keane. Players aren't picked based on recent form. If Rafa sees Torres as the best option against any individual oppo then he'll be in.

[anny road]

Torres is always a tad ring rusty when he comes back

 

play him for 45 min v Preston and get him warm Stoke

[goodrobotusses]

Torres up front, Gerrard behind, Kuyt right, Riera left, Masch and Alonso in the middle. Then the likes of Keane, Babel, Benayoun, and Lucas all waiting in the wings.

[Swagger]

it's really simple, if he's fit, he plays. you fit the others in around him.

 

Short, simple, and on the money.

 

Tempting though it is, I don't want him playing against Preston.

[alias75]

I think with this type of injury though its not always the initial injury that can be the problem when you come back but running flat out can put stress on other areas so theres always a chance when you first come back that you can injure yourself elsewhere even if you think the initial injury has cleared up.

 

Therefore those first few games back are very important that you get through them without any new problems that are related to the initial injury. If we were struggling id be tempted to throw him straight back in, but at the moment we're in a position where we can ease him back into the pace of first team football again, and lessen the risk of another injury.

 

Id personally have him on the bench for the next 2 games, and see how he reacts to short bursts.

[Jarg Armani]

Personally think he's nailed on to start against Preston.

[Chili Palmer]

Personally think he's nailed on to start against Preston.

 

 

I think so too, he'll not play the whole game I'm sure but I'm sure he'll get a run out before the Stoke game

[fred milne]

Torres up front, Gerrard behind, Kuyt right, Riera left, Masch and Alonso in the middle.

For the tough fixtures definitely.

 

For the easier games, I'd like to see more of us being set up the way we were against Bolton:

 

Benayoun - Gerrard - Alonso - Riera

Torres - Keane

 

With Babel pushing Benayoun and Riera for the wide midfield spots and Kuyt pushing Keane for the spot alongside Torres.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I'd not play him against Preston or Stoke or Everton.

 

Reappraise his situation after the Derby, then ease him in.

 

A fit, raring to go Torres is going to be a great asset to have at the end of the season.

 

Bring him back to early and an unfit, injured Torres isn't helping himself, Benitez or the club.

[Rimbeux]

I'd not play him against Preston or Stoke or Everton.

 

Reappraise his situation after the Derby, then ease him in.

 

A fit, raring to go Torres is going to be a great asset to have at the end of the season.

 

Bring him back to early and an unfit, injured Torres isn't helping himself, Benitez or the club.

 

 

It's getting to the stage already where he'll basically need another pre-season to get match-fit, which is what I suspect could be going on now. If he is no longer injured, he should get back on the horse

[Kahnee]

I'd not play him against Preston or Stoke or Everton.

 

Why stop there? Wigan, Chelsea, Pompey, Boro and Real could all be nasty if he's brought back too soon. And we have Utd in March, best leave him out of that in case he gets a cold. Best we wait till Newcastle in May, when it's nice and warm and they have nothing to play for so will leave him alone

[Mike]

hahaha

[Chili Palmer]

Best we wait till Newcastle in May, when it's nice and warm and they have nothing to play for so will leave him alone

 

 

Play like they did yesterday and he'll still end up the leagues top scorer.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Why stop there? Wigan, Chelsea, Pompey, Boro and Real could all be nasty if he's brought back too soon. And we have Utd in March, best leave him out of that in case he gets a cold. Best we wait till Newcastle in May, when it's nice and warm and they have nothing to play for so will leave him alone

 

Yes. Very good.