Our New Lads

[homer1]

Torres because he'll be our no. 1 striker and main goal threat this year

I am looking forward to seeing Babel playing in competitive games - in the fleeting appearances I've seen pre-season it looks as if he's been holding back a little but I've seen enough to make we think we've got a real player here. Looks very direct and strong and I can see him being very difficult to shake off the ball.

Benayoun is going to surprise a few people too and will make a very positive contribution this year - with himself & Pennant pushing each other for a regular place, the right hand side will not be as weak as many are suggesting

Leto surprised me on Sunday, possibly as I wasn't expecting too much from him - looked very comfortable and not at all out of place. That said with competition as it is I cannot see him getting too much of a look in & would like to see him loaned to another Premiership team for a year to get regular football

Would like to see Insua a lot more involved this year as really like the look of him but if Heinze or AN Other comes along can only assume the Carling Cup will be all the action he sees

More optimistic than I have been for many years going into a new season about our transfer activity, whether that will be enough for a genuine title push or not only time will tell

Roll on Saturday

[kev776]

Bloody Hell, what happend when you think of Leto playing attacking football

If u check the offi site, this Leto fella doesnt exist

[Pablo]

Babel also for me. Something about him in that Feyenoord game just gave me a feeling hes got what it takes. He has a real arrogance about him. He is not overawed at all by being at such a big club, you get the feeling he believes he is something special. I think you need that attitude in a winger. He is rapid, and seems very strong with it. I dont think he will struggle too much with the physical side of the game, he will just bounce people out of his way. He also seems to be really really skillful and has very quick feet reminiscent of Anelka. He can go past a man for fun and is more than willing to shoot on sight. He packs a pretty powerful shot too. I think his main problem is that he doesnt see himself as a winger and Rafa will need to put him straight on that front. Too many times in the pre-season games he drifted in trying to prove he was a striker. If we can get him hugging the touchline (I think he can play on either wing) beating the fullback with a trick or just pure pace and then wipping crosses in then I think we will finally have the dynamic winger we have been missing since John Barnes. I would throw him straight in against Villa I think its the perfect game for him.

[dww]

If u check the offi site, this Leto fella doesnt exist

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[stevie_gerrard_8]

Babel also for me. Something about him in that Feyenoord game just gave me a feeling hes got what it takes. He has a real arrogance about him. He is not overawed at all by being at such a big club, you get the feeling he believes he is something special. I think you need that attitude in a winger. He is rapid, and seems very strong with it. I dont think he will struggle too much with the physical side of the game, he will just bounce people out of his way. He also seems to be really really skillful and has very quick feet reminiscent of Anelka. He can go past a man for fun and is more than willing to shoot on sight. He packs a pretty powerful shot too. I think his main problem is that he doesnt see himself as a winger and Rafa will need to put him straight on that front. Too many times in the pre-season games he drifted in trying to prove he was a striker. If we can get him hugging the touchline (I think he can play on either wing) beating the fullback with a trick or just pure pace and then wipping crosses in then I think we will finally have the dynamic winger we have been missing since John Barnes. I would throw him straight in against Villa I think its the perfect game for him.

How many new boys would you play against Villa. Im not sure that we should start any, but if we had to choose one, it would be either Benayoun or Torres.

[kev776]

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many thanks sir, I faffing blind. Cheers.

[Pablo]

How many new boys would you play against Villa. Im not sure that we should start any, but if we had to choose one, it would be either Benayoun or Torres.

I think just Torres to be honest. I think he has to start. Remember we drew this fixture last year with our old squad because we were so wasteful in front of goal. Torres was bought to fix that so must start. I would be very tempted indeed to throw Babel in from the start but I think it would be wise to leave him as a sub. Benayoun could play no problem I suppose hes a proven Premiership player after all. I think its obvious that it would be beneficial to ease the new guys in as much as possible without it being detrimental to our results.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

I think just Torres to be honest. I think he has to start. Remember we drew this fixture last year with our old squad because we were so wasteful in front of goal. Torres was bought to fix that so must start. I would be very tempted indeed to throw Babel in from the start but I think it would be wise to leave him as a sub. Benayoun could play no problem I suppose hes a proven Premiership player after all. I think its obvious that it would be beneficial to ease the new guys in as much as possible without it being detrimental to our results.

Im not sure whether to play Kewell or Benayoun. Kewell has been good in pre-season, but in the Feyenoord match he was shocking, while Benayoun has gone from strength to strength in every game.

Up front it will probably be Kuyt and Torres

[Pablo]

I think Benayoun could have a cracking season, hes great at playing those little through balls in behind the centre backs, Torres will eat those up. But I dont think he offers the team any width, suppose hes very similar to Garcia in that respect. Horses for courses I suppose and I guess Rafa will pick between Kewell, Babel and Benayoun based on the team he expects Villa to put out as much as he will on form.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

I think Benayoun could have a cracking season, hes great at playing those little through balls in behind the centre backs, Torres will eat those up. But I dont think he offers the team any width, suppose hes very similar to Garcia in that respect. Horses for courses I suppose and I guess Rafa will pick between Kewell, Babel and Benayoun based on the team he expects Villa to put out as much as he will on form.

I think its between Kewell and Benayoun. It may be a little too early for Babel as Rafa may not want to rush him in.

[Pablo]

I think its between Kewell and Benayoun. It may be a little too early for Babel as Rafa may not want to rush him in.

You're probably right. I'd still at least have Babel on the bench though if it was up to me. If he misses out in the Villa game then it could be a while before he gets his chance as he's less likely to feature against Chelsea I suppose.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

You're probably right. I'd still at least have Babel on the bench though if it was up to me. If he misses out in the Villa game then it could be a while before he gets his chance as he's less likely to feature against Chelsea I suppose.

He seems to be a good impact player but whose place on the bench would he take, that is my concern. I'd still have him on though as he has something, very important away from home, pace.

[desertscouser]

I am looking forward to seeing all of the signings, we appear to have bought some really good players. Some might take a will to get established, but we have a large enough squad to allow that to happen.

If Rafa removes the shackles and allows the team to attack more than the likes of Babel, Torres and Benayoun will turn out to be excellent signings.

[WILF]

If Rafa removes the shackles and allows the team to attack more than the likes of Babel, Torres and Benayoun will turn out to be excellent signings.

For me this is the main point. Rafa gives instructions and the players must follow them , or they will be out the door smartish.

It is up to Rafa to change our tactics away from home.

[Adair]

Benayoun - I'm sure hes going to come up with a massive amount of assits.