Good read on Riise

[Imy]

Riise is in my opinion is a perfect wing back, he would have done well when uncle Roy played the 3-5-3 system with Riise and McAteer as the wing backs.

The problem with Riise is he not a brilliant left back or a brilliant left midfielder.

[Imy]

Honestly I don't think there's a standout candidate for best LB in the prem, which is why i'm quite content with Riise, i don't see anyone currently in our league miles better than him.

With regards the world, I suppose it's between Lahm and Zambrotta, but i'll be honest my european footy knowledge isn't exactly brilliant

Lahm and Zambrotta

[Shaggy]

"He is not blessed with the fastest of feet which can be demonstrated when he is required to turn quickly or when faced with a defender with the ball at his mercy. It's derigour to mock Riise's dribbling attempts, his one main skill being the schoolyard trick of playing the ball one way past a defender and running around on the other side."

That part sums up Riise perfectly. Oh, and the good left foot. And then...nothing.

I've seen buses turn quicker than him, and my two year old cousin has a stronger 'weaker foot' than him. He's an agricultural footballer - an tremendous athlete who can kick it really hard.

Riise is in my opinion is a perfect wing back, he would have done well when uncle Roy played the 3-5-3 system with Riise and McAteer as the wing backs.

The problem with Riise is he not a brilliant left back or a brilliant left midfielder.

Totally agree. I may sound harsh on Riise - he's not *that* bad - but part of the problem is exactly what you just said. He's not a genuine left back and he's not a midfielder.

[Svennis]

Riise is in my opinion is a perfect wing back, he would have done well when uncle Roy played the 3-5-3 system with Riise and McAteer as the wing backs.

The problem with Riise is he not a brilliant left back or a brilliant left midfielder.

Only place where Riise would be perfect is substition bench. His technical skills(passing, first touch etc.) arent good enough to the team who wants play one touch posession football. Especially when he'd playing such an important role like wing back.

[dirty_sanchez]

I think Riise is pish. He can run all day and kick a ball hard. That's it. He can't tackle, his defensive positioning is rubbish, he's completely one footed and he gets ripped a new one by any decent winger.

[Morph]

I think Riise is pish. He can run all day and kick a ball hard. That's it. He can't tackle, his defensive positioning is rubbish, he's completely one footed and he gets ripped a new one by any decent winger.

what an extreme exageration, Riise isn't that bad at all

[tomasjj]

I think Riise is pish. He can run all day and kick a ball hard. That's it. He can't tackle, his defensive positioning is rubbish, he's completely one footed and he gets ripped a new one by any decent winger.

Spot on.

[El Jefecito]

his defensive positioning is rubbish

This is one of the great Riise myths. His positioning is pretty awesome, but because he plays such an attacking role he tends to get caught up-field. That's not because he has bad positioning, just an inevitable consequence of the attacking role he plays. How often has he been the one that played someone onside when we push up. Almost never.

I think you will also find that since Agger has been playing he has provided awesome cover when Riise is upfield, so the problem is nowhere as bad as it was pre-Agger. Essentially, Agger makes Riise better

[Ataturk]

Defo: Cole, Evra, Heinze, Bridge.
Poss: Baines, Shorey.

Jury still out on Bale.

Can't think of any others of top of my head.

Cole - Had an average season, dont agree that he is a better left back than JAR. He is crap in the air and doesnt score as many goals.

Evra - Also crap in the air. At anfield SG won every header against him. Hes good going forward. I wouldnt say he was better than JAR. For me hes not a great defender.

Heinze - you cant really say that, he hardly played this season. Maybe in his first season in the prem he was better. But not last year or year before.

Bridge - again doesnt play enough games to prove your theory.

Baines and shorey are not as good as JAR.

[Guest]

He's / was holidaying in Mauritius for 10 days at the moment. Had a one page interview in the local newspaper today. He 'reveals' we'll be very 'strong' next year.

[tomasjj]

He's / was holidaying in Mauritius for 10 days at the moment. Had a one page interview in the local newspaper today. He 'reveals' he'll be very 'strong' next year.

Did you feel him up then?

[Guest]

Did you feel him up then?

I don't like skando's.