No Pennant

[El Jefecito]

I can understand leaving a striker or midfielder out of the squad but our only right winger seems a little strange to me.

I can see the advantages to rotation, but at the start of the season you want an understanding between the players. Certain players will only improve if played on a regular basis.

In the squad we have going, there is Gerrard, Babel and Yossi who can all play RW. I don't see a problem or think it strange, it's just Rafa using the squad.

[BobTheCharmer]

Its just the way Rafa works, he takes what he needs for the game with him.

much like an assassin on his next hit.

[Assassin]

much like an assassin on his next hit.

Indeed, Rafa the Assassin

[Kopite_Colin]

Pennant can have no complaints not being included. Mediocre against Villa.

That's about his level. Sums him up.

[El Jefecito]

That's about his level. Sums him up.

Behave, Pennant is better than that. Look to see how many games he played and how many assists he had last season. Your's is a cheap shot.

[Kopite_Colin]

Not a cheap shot - just an honest assessment. I said it before and when he arrived, and I've seen nothing else to change my mind. We need better and £6m for him was robbery.

[El Jefecito]

Not a cheap shot - just an honest assessment. I said it before and when he arrived, and I've seen nothing else to change my mind. We need better and £6m for him was robbery.

Did you check the # of assists? He's not perfect, but then again he's not a bad squad player.

[Red Chilli]

Is it just me or is there a lot of this rotation going around?

Did no-one else realise this was a ****ing great example of an RS4-ism? Have you all got him on ignore or something?

Good work RS4

[Kopite_Colin]

Did you check the # of assists? He's not perfect, but then again he's not a bad squad player.

Therein lies the issue and my point exactly - not good enough for an LFC 1st 11. Never was , never will be. Same as Bellamy.

[El Jefecito]

Therein lies the issue and my point exactly - not good enough for an LFC 1st 11. Never was , never will be. Same as Bellamy.

But there is no such thing as a first 11 anymore. THAT is the point.

[Neil Young]

Did no-one else realise this was a ****ing great example of an RS4-ism? Have you all got him on ignore or something?

Good work RS4

Yes, we've all got him on Ignore. Please don't quote him in future.

[Kopite_Colin]

THAT is my point. There should be. Change only when absolutely necessary and not for the sake of it.

[El Jefecito]

THAT is my point. There should be. Change only when absolutely necessary and not for the sake of it.

Rafa is a perfectionist, while a player may be 90% is good enough for others, he's looking for 100%. He's also looking for the perfect player to play against a particular oppostion. That's never going to change and the squad know that.

[Kopite_Colin]

But then playing players who are only ever going to be 90% capable (i.e. not good enough is OK, then - e.g. Pennant?) or in the wrong position is against that ambition. Perfection is about the best team and not about one which can beat another when only 75%, then putting another out which operates at 80% - because what happens is when you need the extra 10-20% it's much harder to achieve, because the palyers get used to operating at at a certain level. how many time shave we seen it. 0ur record against top 4 sides in the league is appalling in the last few years. Granted in the Cups it's OK, which means we can lift in in a one-off scenario bt not consistenly so.

To achieve perfection you have to at least strive for it - not 80% of it.

[captainfog]

Babel will pretty much always be in the squad and so that means Pennant and Yossa will have to take it in turns. I fully expected Pennant to be left out of this one. I thought we might see Masher and Momo start as well, are they both in the squad?