'Praise for Mascherano' thread

[Morph]

Good game today, shaky in the first 20 mins, but he hasn't played in about 3 months so it's to be expected. Solid performance against a poor Sheff Utd side, so i'm pleased for now, lets see how he does against the bigger teams and i'll be very happy.

[DannyMan2006]

Good game today, shaky in the first 20 mins, but he hasn't played in about 3 months so it's to be expected. Solid performance against a poor Sheff Utd side, so i'm pleased for now, lets see how he does against the bigger teams and i'll be very happy.

Yeah, I agree. Shaky at first but he grew into the game. Nice to see the crowd cheering nearly all of his little bits of good play.

Didnt do a great deal today, but thats because he didnt have to. When Sheff Utd showed any signs of breaking he just nipped in and took the ball. His passing was a little rusty but he still showed hes good on the ball.

Good debut.

[bazza76]

Looks shaky in the first half, passing way off. But improved tremendously in the 2nd half and showed why he won 20 caps in the Argentinian squad.

I think his is some way off that standard. Not the tallest either.
But am confident he will find his form, Liverpool will be easier for him as Rafa will give him a job to do that he understand and that he likes. Unlike at Westham where he was just told to play midfield.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Good positive start. Let's hope he builds on this performance. Seems we have 4 proper CM now

I read somewhere that because of the FA checking on his registration. We have bought him to clear up the Dual registration problem. No more loan period. Can someone confirm this?

[Morph]

Good positive start. Let's hope he builds on this performance. Seems we have 4 proper CM now

I read somewhere that because of the FA checking on his registration. We have bought him to clear up the Dual registration problem. No more loan period. Can someone confirm this?

not been confirmed by the club, but yeah supposedly we bought him for 1.8mil for 18 months, it's all a bit confusing

[Zambian_Red]

Looks shaky in the first half, passing way off. But improved tremendously in the 2nd half and showed why he won 20 caps in the Argentinian squad.

Well done to the lad good debut. Lets not forget he hasnt played for months and lacks match fitness. Also he has joined a team will quality players or should i say world class players and will need to get familiar with how we play and learn the ropes, getting to know the formation/tactics.

I am sure Rafa will nurture him and make him into a great player.I think we should all wait for next season with the pre-season under his belt as well as whatever games he will play from now till end of season. i just hope he finds his form the wy he played in the world cup.

[Shaggy]

He struggled to get into the game and to get going, but once he did he was mightily impressive for me.

I'm very excited about him.

[kurtangle01]

I've just got in from the match and from where I was sat Mascherano looked superb. He played well in the "Didi role".

Pennant also played very well today.

[Shaggy]

I've just got in from the match and from where I was sat Mascherano looked superb. He played well in the "Didi role".

Pennant also played very well today.

You know they were my impressions too. In the car on the way home we all voted for Mascherano and Pennant, with a mention for Gerrard. On reflection Gerrard probably deserves the accolade, for his drive and attacking purpose, but the other two were both excellent. Pennant impressed me today.

Gonzalez though. Never looked like getting into the game and I don't think he once received the ball to feet in his "starting position", facing up their full-back and ready to run at him. I don't know if he's not showing for the ball or if they're just not passing to him very often, but today he was virtually invisible.

[Flake]

I did write a considered response about how he doesn't seem to be a replacement for any of our midfielders, as he seems different again, in the didi mould, and how he was solid if unspectacular today, with some good tenacity, and a couple of moments of rustiness....

But then the server seemed to hang....

suspect he will only improve

As AA says, massive potential.

and mine....

[Chazza]

He struggled to get into the game and to get going, but once he did he was mightily impressive for me.

I'm very excited about him.

Agreed

He took time to find his feet but when he did he put his foot in when needed and also linked the play well.

Be interesting to see how he does when fully match fit but, as defensive midfielders go, he looked very good

[kurtangle01]

You know they were my impressions too. In the car on the way home we all voted for Mascherano and Pennant, with a mention for Gerrard. On reflection Gerrard probably deserves the accolade, for his drive and attacking purpose, but the other two were both excellent. Pennant impressed me today.

Gonzalez though. Never looked like getting into the game and I don't think he once received the ball to feet in his "starting position", facing up their full-back and ready to run at him. I don't know if he's not showing for the ball or if they're just not passing to him very often, but today he was virtually invisible.

Apart from his cross in the first half when Riise played him in he was almost non existant but we did seem to be playing the ball down the right alot more so perhaps that's why he wasn't as effective.

I was really, really, impressed with Mascherano. He made a couple of dodgy passes early on but when he got into his stride he was superb. That tackle late on in the match when the Sheffield United player was clean through showed how good he could be for us.

The comparisons between him and Xabi are way off though because Javier, on todays performance, looked more like a Momo or Didi type player.

[lfcruleus]

I think even on that one "not match fit or sharp" performance that West ham must have some very good midfielders or bad managers.

He was composed, worked hard for 90 minutes passed well and only gave the ball away a couple of times all game, linked well with Gerard and Alono when he came on. The first 20 he was a bit lost but when we went 2 up he grew in confidence. The full 90 will do him the world of good too.

[kurtangle01]

I think even on that one "not match fit or sharp" performance that West ham must have some very good midfielders or bad managers.

To true. Mascherano or Nigel Quashie?!

[cobain]

To true. Mascherano or Nigel Quashie?!