Slight concern about Xabi!

[Infadel]

I know it's early days, but, from what I've seen, his displays thus far have been abysmal. His normally top class passing has been woeful and he seems to be lacking his usual vision.

His timing in the tackle seems to be OK - thought he was unlucky to get booked today - but we're not accustomed to him having a bad spell on the ball. Let's just hope it's a temporary thing because we really have got to hit the ground running this season and we will need his creativity!

[kurtangle01]

form is temporary, class is permanent.

[bazza76]

I know it's early days, but, from what I've seen, his displays thus far have been abysmal. His normally top class passing has been woeful and he seems to be lacking his usual vision.

His timing in the tackle seems to be OK - thought he was unlucky to get booked today - but we're not accustomed to him having a bad spell on the ball. Let's just hope it's a temporary thing because we really have got to hit the ground running this season and we will need his creativity!

Im sure its a temporary thing mate, as the old saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent.

[bazza76]

form is temporary, class is permanent.

Nice quote

[TheStig]

Remember who supplied the pass to Gonzales on Wednesday too .

[kurtangle01]

Nice quote

thanks bazza

[StevieG08]

He will come good, still too early in the season to be critical of any players. Example-people slagging Riise after wednesdays game, yet today are creaming there pants. Lets see what happens after a few games.

[G_Man]

Maybe abysmal is taking it a bit too far. I assume from the phrase "thus far" you mean this season?
Xabi played a heck of a lot of football last year followed by the world cup and his consistency was awesome. He had a great season and it was only his second season in England He's not the same as Stevie G, he's younger and he's not as accustomed to the English game.
For me it was inevitable that he would have a bit of a lull, I was hoping it'd be confined to the world cup but I suppose he's still recovering. He'll be back to his best soon, it may take a month but in the meantime we have Momo and Stevie to patrol the midfield.
Don't despair, Xabi will be back

[TheStig]

I thought he played quite well at the WC to be fair.

[Bellamy34]

Not kneejerk then...

[G_Man]

I thought he played quite well at the WC to be fair.

Yes, he did, I was hoping he wouldn't and that he'd take it easy.

[dww]

Maybe abysmal is taking it a bit too far. I assume from the phrase "thus far" you mean this season?
Xabi played a heck of a lot of football last year followed by the world cup and his consistency was awesome. He had a great season and it was only his second season in England He's not the same as Stevie G, he's younger and he's not as accustomed to the English game.
For me it was inevitable that he would have a bit of a lull, I was hoping it'd be confined to the world cup but I suppose he's still recovering. He'll be back to his best soon, it may take a month but in the meantime we have Momo and Stevie to patrol the midfield.
Don't despair, Xabi will be back

I thought he was pretty good at the WC. I think to be honest he is not fit yet. All of our WC players have looked a bit below par in the last two games. I guess sharpness will come with games.

Sadly I think that it adds credence to Mourinho's argument that today was at least in part due to Chelsea's poor fitness. Partly their own fault though with their mad multi-continent pre-season.

[Gizo]

Hes only warmin up

[Slammer]

its still pre - season Xabi will come good!

[Mumsafan]

The beginning of last season folk started saying the same. Wondering whether the first season had been a fluke. I think the truth is he just takes his time to get going for whatever reason