John Arne Riise, blast or past?

[Darth Marty]

well we're in a pretty good position then if Riise was our 'worst' player

damn right we are.

[andyinswinton]

I really like Riise and have been blinded by some very good goals but I just don't think he is as good as I hoped he would be.

He is far too suspect at left back to play there on a regular basis and isn't good enough to play as a winger.

I think he is a great player to have in the squad though and could well be an impact player coming off the bench.

[Nic83]

Riise is garbage

Racist

[narmour]

Racist

That's everyone's faverite word around here

[Joe King]

My favourite word is....supercalifragalisticexpealidocious

[carheex]

Here we go again!!

Past it? I don't rate him very highly but past it??

For me, now Zenden's gone, he's our weak link. A steady squad player but I wouldn't want him in the team for the really big games.

Quality player - if there's a better goal scoring attacking full back in europe I'd like to know about it. And so would Rafa. Our weakest link has been alonso for the last 18 months - give Riise a break!

[El Jefecito]

My favourite word is....supercalifragalisticexpealidocious

I prefer Schadenfreude!

[Red_Polo]

Quality player - if there's a better goal scoring attacking full back in europe I'd like to know about it. And so would Rafa. Our weakest link has been alonso for the last 18 months - give Riise a break!

I've defended Riise a lot lately but I can't agree with that at all. He has done a good job for us over the years and been good enough to be a mainstay of a formidable defensive unit, but is not as dependable as the rest of our defenders. I think it is undeniable that ideally we ought to be looking for a more intelligent, cultured player than Riise as first choice LB.

I really don't understand you stance on Alonso either.

[El Jefecito]

I've defended Riise a lot lately but I can't agree with that at all. He has done a good job for us over the years and been good enough to be a mainstay of a formidable defensive unit, but it is undeniable that ideally we ought to be looking for a more intelligent, cultured player than Riise as first choice LB.

Problem with Riise is that he takes 6 shots per game, 1 of which is on target and none of which results in a goal.

Babel has produced more in the 15 minutes he gets per game. Once Rafa thinks Babel is ready then Riise will fade into the sunset. Having seen a lot of Insua this summer, I'm convinced he is a better defender. Where does that leave Riise? On the bench!!!!!!

[simey85]

Riise isn't pastb it he still would be a decent squad player but i do agree with people on here saying we need a more cultured player...he does hoof alot of long balls.

[Red_Polo]

Problem with Riise is that he takes 6 shots per game, 1 of which is on target and none of which results in a goal.

Babel has produced more in the 15 minutes he gets per game. Once Rafa thinks Babel is ready then Riise will fade into the sunset. Having seen a lot of Insua this summer, I'm convinced he is a better defender. Where does that leave Riise? On the bench!!!!!!

Poor show with the making up stats on the spot there IMO.

As for comparing him to Babel, I don't see the point - Riise isn't primarily a LM and I don't want to see him play there for us any more. We have or at very least should have better options there by now. If Insua turns out to be a good player for us and confines Riise to the bench then that's brilliant news.

Maybe I'm just a bit slow today but I'm a bit confused as to how any of this was a response to my post

[Nic83]

Quality player - if there's a better goal scoring attacking full back in europe I'd like to know about it. And so would Rafa. Our weakest link has been alonso for the last 18 months - give Riise a break!

And you were going so well..

[Nic83]

Attacking fullbacks that are suspect in defense is the new in thing..... Pretty soon we will have out and out wingers playing full back!