Riise

[saveferris]

Hmm. For me, the issue is Pennant and Zenden; Several times Finnan or Riise could have made an overlapping run and been played into space, but instead Pennant/Zenden kept the ball at his own feet and attacked the flank on his own. With neither Pennant nor Zenden being great defensive players (and because they are moving into such advanced positions) you better believe I want Finnan and Riise back just a little further to cover their asses when the move on the wing breaks down. I don't think our full backs are the problem; For me, its the fact that our wingers don't get enough dangerous balls into the penalty area. The reason our central players are going wide is because (Pennant yesterday aside), we aren't beating people on the wings and they are supporting the advanced play of the wingers. It makes no sense to have Finnan running into the corner with Pennant (and bringing his man with him into such a tight space) when he can lag back, show for the ball for support, and be on cover when the break starts the other way. My two cents are that Riise and Finnan are solid; I don't want my goals all coming from full backs anyway! Instead, we need to improve our wing play in the midfield. Our Defensive prowess is terrific; if we were putting more goals in the net, we'd be unbeatable.

Agree completely

[Ron_Mexico]

he's a liability defensively and extremely limited going forward. he's got great stamina and a fantastic shot, i would keep him around because he is useful, but against the top sides he gets found out, as was the case last night.

we need a better LB if we are going to make the leap to compete with the top two imo

[JPK]

is Bale really any good?Probably the next over rated kid on the scene.
What exactly did Riise do wrong?Agger and Carra had there worst games 4us.Carra looked to be carrying an injury from an early challenge.

[wavydavy]

awful last night. We need a more accomnplished left back. Shame we are not going for Bale but maybe Rafa thinks Insua is capable.

Disappointed in this thread. Can think of about a dozen players at the club I'd bullet before I even got round to Riise. Put Riise up for sale and you'd get ****ing stampeded. Bit limited I'll accept but dependable, scores goals (or has everyone forgot that) and has a genuine love for the club. I'd hang on to him!

[Mr Tourette]

i must say i was dissapointed with him.

When you look over and Jankulovski is marauding down their left delivering quality crosses....i was a tad jealous.

Our full backs really need to be upgraded, in an attacking sense. Finnan is as solid as they get. But he just doesnt overlap.
Ive been saying it all along. Our central players are forced wide due to our fullbacks simply not overlapping enough.

It needs to be sorted asap

Finnan is the highest player we had in the assist list for the champions league and he has the best success percentage on crosses for us in the prem if im not mistaken - i think your facts are wrong. He's completely dependable and better going forward than you give him credit.

I didnt see jankolovski do **** all - nothing to be jealous of there - maybe oddo looks a good player...?? Riise didnt have a good game - but hes a good player, scores goals - occasioanlly in very big games, runs all day and isnt as bad a defender as some people make him out to be - he should have played midfield in my opinion.

How you can discuss the fullbacks as the area in need of strengthening aty this point on time is a bit mystifying to me?

[Mr Tourette]

Disappointed in this thread. Can think of about a dozen players at the club I'd bullet before I even got round to Riise. Put Riise up for sale and you'd get ****ing stampeded. Bit limited I'll accept but dependable, scores goals (or has everyone forgot that) and has a genuine love for the club. I'd hang on to him!

great minds.....

[El Jefecito]

Disappointed in this thread. Can think of about a dozen players at the club I'd bullet before I even got round to Riise. Put Riise up for sale and you'd get ****ing stampeded. Bit limited I'll accept but dependable, scores goals (or has everyone forgot that) and has a genuine love for the club. I'd hang on to him!

Last year most of the goals we conceded came down our left. He's scored very little this year. So what exactly has be brought to the table? Not a lot. We can do better, but I guess that is not a priority though.

[wavydavy]

Last year most of the goals we conceded came down our left. He's scored very little this year. So what exactly has be brought to the table? Not a lot. We can do better, but I guess that is not a priority though.

Agreed. You can always do better. All I'm saying is that if I were Rafa I wouldn't see replacing Riise as an immediate requirement. I'm not really into threads that just basically slag of a player unless he really warrants it . IE KEWELL : The only player who limps off when someone else gets injured.

[Svennis]

Riise should be one of the first players shown door in the summer. He's horrible footballer.

[El Jefecito]

Agreed. You can always do better. All I'm saying is that if I were Rafa I wouldn't see replacing Riise as an immediate requirement. I'm not really into threads that just basically slag of a player unless he really warrants it . IE KEWELL : The only player who limps off when someone else gets injured.

Right, 'cos Kewell injured himself on purpose 'cos he didn't want to play in the biggest game of his career At least Kewell has class, something JAR is far from.

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Riise should be one of the first players shown door in the summer. He's horrible footballer.

I take it by your username you're Swedish, in which case your opinion is slightly biased.

[thekop]

awful last night. We need a more accomnplished left back. Shame we are not going for Bale but maybe Rafa thinks Insua is capable.

Apart from the odd goal or two this season( enjoyed the one against Barca) he's been pretty poor all season IMO

Might stuggle to hold down a regular place next season (depending on players signed)

[Darth Marty]

Riise should be one of the first players shown door in the summer. He's horrible footballer.

**** off penis, svennis or whatever your ****ing name is, if your going to slate the guy at least put some reasons down."hes a horrible player" what?
****...
in my opinion:whatever:

[wavydavy]

Right, 'cos Kewell injured himself on purpose 'cos he didn't want to play in the biggest game of his career At least Kewell has class, something JAR is far from.

Kewell has class. Just a pity he left it in ****ing Leeds.

[REDSCOUSER]

Sell Riise. Pay him off with 10lb of Elk sausage. French league player at best.