'Praise for Mascherano' thread

[SouthAfricaRed]

Quashie has already been relegated from the Premiership with QPR, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and West Brom. Not a good record is it!

That tells you all you need to know about him.

I hope he signs for Everton next season

[lfc4ever]

Yeah, I was surprised by his tackles! They were superb, inch perfect! Quite astonishing for a guy who didn't play footie since September (nevermind training)!

Class is permanent, as they say, Can't wait till he has about 10 matches under his belt, full fitness etc, and will be even better after a full pre-season with us, I have no doubt he will be like SG & Alosno if picked, a contender for MOM each & every game, Rafa likes his workhorses doesn't he, even better when they come with a bit of class.

[kurtangle01]

I hope he signs for Everton next season

[Johnny]

I hope he signs for Everton next season

[saj]

He seemed to do quite well on the world stage for Argentina mate so i think its a little early to be making that assumption, whilst he is nowhere near first choice yet, he has played no football since september and got thru 90 minutes and was still running at the end, compare him to fowler who could barely walk after 90 minutes standing about. I think today showed the potential he could become a very good player in this league.

You can't use the fact he's not played much football since September as an excuse. Remember when Xabi broke his ankle and was out for a few months, his first match back was against Juventus - and he was the best man on the pitch even though he'd not played for a few months and was returning from a serious injury.

Yes he put in some good tackles today, but his performance today was on par with the few performances he put in at West Ham. He is not as good as people think. He can't dictate games like Gerrard and Alonso do. His performances weren't even that great in the World Cup either. But given time, he may become a better a player. But at the age of 22, Alonso was a far better player than him.

[saj]

Oh there is more to it - there is obvioulsy a bigger reason why he wasn't allowed to play a games at West Ham. Its the same reason why that Fernandes guy had to leave Portsmouth

[Shaggy]

You can't use the fact he's not played much football since September as an excuse. Remember when Xabi broke his ankle and was out for a few months, his first match back was against Juventus - and he was the best man on the pitch even though he'd not played for a few months and was returning from a serious injury.

Yes he put in some good tackles today, but his performance today was on par with the few performances he put in at West Ham. He is not as good as people think. He can't dictate games like Gerrard and Alonso do. His performances weren't even that great in the World Cup either. But given time, he may become a better a player. But at the age of 22, Alonso was a far better player than him.

You're entitled to your opinion but I think that's total rubbish.

[Kopite_Colin]

He loves a tackle, and likes to play his way out of a tight spot. I liked what I saw. He had a very good 2nd half.

[Red_Al_77]

Thought he was very good and allowed SG space to play his natural game. JM is a talented player. He impressed in the WC and I'm sure he do the business for us. Seeing as he's costing us very little anyone who criticises him really should take their head out of the sand.

[Sir Bob]

You're entitled to your opinion but I think that's total rubbish.

Couldn't agree more, Shags mate.
Javier is an exceptionalt talent, as alonso is of course. Together with SG & momo we have 4 central midfielders the equal of any club team in the world.

[lfcruleus]

You can't use the fact he's not played much football since September as an excuse. Remember when Xabi broke his ankle and was out for a few months, his first match back was against Juventus - and he was the best man on the pitch even though he'd not played for a few months and was returning from a serious injury.

Yes he put in some good tackles today, but his performance today was on par with the few performances he put in at West Ham. He is not as good as people think. He can't dictate games like Gerrard and Alonso do. His performances weren't even that great in the World Cup either. But given time, he may become a better a player. But at the age of 22, Alonso was a far better player than him.

Sorry but you didnt compare him to Xabi in your earlier post and neither did i, you simply stated he willnot be a good player against better opposition. I do also think that lack of match practice will make any player rusty, and Im glad as Lionel Messi might have been more of a threat last week, everyone always uses the Alonso against Juve example but that is a case of once when it worked rushing a player back, Rafa had no choice that night and the risk paid off, the difference also is Alonso is an exceptionally intelligent footballer so he played to his limitations that night.
To state a cliche you dont get 22 full caps for argentina at the age of 22 if you are an average player.

[Tee]

Sorry but you didnt compare him to Xabi in your earlier post and neither did i, you simply stated he willnot be a good player against better opposition. I do also think that lack of match practice will make any player rusty, and Im glad as Lionel Messi might have been more of a threat last week, everyone always uses the Alonso against Juve example but that is a case of once when it worked rushing a player back, Rafa had no choice that night and the risk paid off, the difference also is Alonso is an exceptionally intelligent footballer so he played to his limitations that night.
To state a cliche you dont get 22 full caps for argentina at the age of 22 if you are an average player.

Spot on. Mascherano is still only 22 - he will blossom into a fine player no doubt IMO. It is clear he was lacking confidence, but hopefully after todays performance that will surely be coming back.

[disco]

In my opinion, Mascherano in the second half showed why I think Sissoko needs to be second choice. I love Sissoko's flair and gusto back there, but watching Mascherano's control and calm play (while still disrupting play for the other side) sold me 100%. Sissoko in my opinion gives far too many balls away after he wins them, makes too many undisciplined tackles and somehow, when he plays, Xabi and Stevie don't seem to link up as well. Mascherano/ Gerrard/ Kuyt were linking up beautifully today. I'm not trying to slag off Sissoko on Mascherano's one match against SU, because I think Momo is growing as a player and I love his energy and physical play. But I felt much more secure about the shape of the team and the quality of link-up play and distribution with Mascherano in there today. How much of that was Sheffield, time will tell. However, a few more games like that and he's first choice for me.

PLUS - no more Zenden in centre-mid

[kurtangle01]

Couldn't agree more, Shags mate.
Javier is an exceptionalt talent, as alonso is of course. Together with SG & momo we have 4 central midfielders the equal of any club team in the world.

Very, very, true.

[kurtangle01]

PLUS - no more Zenden in centre-mid