A thread about Riise.

[MrMichael]

Riise has been a great servant to the club, and been instrumental in some fabulous moments over the years. Scored some cracking & crucial goals, and been part of a defence that's been one of the best in the league, and Europe, for like the last 5 years or more.

However, he really hasn't improved as a player as he's got older, and gradually his defensive deficiencies have become more and more apparent, as has his unfortuante tendandy to just hoof passes up the pitch. Rafa knows it too, he's hardly been shy about bringing in Aurelio, Insua, and playing Arbeloa at left back this season, I can't see Riise being at the club that many more years, but a little bit more respect for his achievements at the club could do with being shown by some at times imo.

[homer1]

He put the sh1ts up me every time they played the ball down his side in the second half. One ball from the left side typified it when it looked as though it was landing on his head and he ducked away from it only for it to straight to his opponent.

Another very simple ball in the first half would have put Aurelio in with a chance to cross, under no pressure and totally overhit a short pass and Fabio couldn't stop it reaching the line

Everyone makes mistakes and there were enough of them made on Saturday but when you can't get the basics right what chance have you got

[Reece]

No need.



I've seen it now and it doesn't surprise me. I know he's not everybody's cup of tea but he's nowhere near as bad as people make out. THere's always a scapegoat and now that mantle has been bestowed upon him by people who should be supporting him.

We have had consistently one of, if not the best defence in the premiership over the last 3 years or so. That wouldn't have been the case if we were carrying a passenger as people are suggesting Riise is.

[AFII]

There will always be players that isn't as good as the rest of the squad. Riise just happen to be one of them.

We will never have the perfect squad.

If Riise is so good, why is Rafa selecting someone else as our left back soon as he has a chance to do it. Aurelio took back his place more or less straight away and Arbeloa played there before him.

[Darth Marty]

Riise should be sold next summer IF we get someone else, because I am not at all happy with the options without him, Aurelio is injuryprone and I feel Riise is very good cover at the very least.
Get someone else in and get a big fee for Riise and Im fine with that, selling him without adequate cover is plain daft and I cant see Rafa doing that tbh.

[red g]

i would like to see insua start to get a few games. Riise is piss poor

[Guest]

We have had consistently one of, if not the best defence in the premiership over the last 3 years or so. That wouldn't have been the case if we were carrying a passenger as people are suggesting Riise is.

Amen

[Colemere]

We don't really have a left back who is decent at defending, I like Riise and I think Aurelio is ok, but we really do need a better left footed option.

[AFII]

We already have probably the best young left back talent in the World, Insua.

[Harv]

We have had consistently one of, if not the best defence in the premiership over the last 3 years or so. That wouldn't have been the case if we were carrying a passenger as people are suggesting Riise is.

We haven't been carrying him, but there are too many moments when our CB has to cover his player due to his lack of defensive ability. He's a decent player...but he's clearly not a great footballer. He's a workhorse, with a traction engine for a left foot* (thats for you Shaggy ). He has been at the front of some glorious moments for us, and i think he would be a grand squad player to have. But as a first choice LB we can do alot better. IE: Arbeloa.

[Guest]

We haven't been carrying him, but there are too many moments when our CB has to cover his player due to his lack of defensive ability. He's a decent player...but he's clearly not a great footballer. He's a workhorse, with a traction engine for a left foot* (thats for you Shaggy ). He has been at the front of some glorious moments for us, and i think he would be a grand squad player to have. But as a first choice LB we can do alot better. IE: Arbeloa.

Arbeloa isn't a left back.

[Colemere]

We already have probably the best young left back talent in the World, Insua.

Wouldn't he be playing then? If he was "the best young left back in the world"

[AFII]

The difference now and a two, three years ago are that we have a much better squad but Riise isn't any better or worse than a few years ago.

He was good enough two, three years ago but not anymore. Back then our goal was to qualify for the CL and now it's winning the title.

Riise is good enough for a team fighting for a CL place but not for a team that is fighting for the title.

[AFII]

Wouldn't he be playing then? If he was "the best young left back in the world"

It's not any good if you start to play the players to early. They will just end up with injury problems in a few years time if you do that.

[red g]

It's not any good if you start to play the players to early. They will just end up with injury problems in a few years time if you do that.

i must admit i thought he would start making the bench by now.