Should Xabi Be Dropped?

[paulcooper4]

Xabi has started both seasons with us slowly. Bear with him, he will be back to his best soon, trust me

[warrenpeace]

i dont even think the big man could help if this happens

Dunk may be able to help you know - have a word with Rick, maybe. Don't write him off so easily

[Lecter]

I get the feeling that Bolo may start in centre mid against Everton alongside Momo and with Stevie playing as a second striker.

Oh dear I hope not

The biggest weakness Everton have is a lack of physical presence in the middle of midfield. All of their players are on the small side and not particularly strong

I think we have to dominate them in midfield and impose ourselves on them. They will go with 5 in midfield I would expect to try and out-number us and compensate for their physical weakness

Personally I would start with Gerrard wide right, with Momo & Xabi in the middle. The thing I have noticed with Alonso is whilst his passing game is off hes getting more involved in breaking up the oppositions play, his game is more rounded and he was excellent against them last season

[Taffy]

I see us resting Xabi after the international break and giving him a break before the CL match next week.

Stevie and Momo will control things in the centre of midfield for us in his absence.

[jayjay]

While I think he could do with a rest. Dropping him when he's down doesn't fit with Rafa's management style. While Rafa can be the most ruthless of managers when required, in this instance I could see him looking to boost Xbai's confidence by giving him the chance to get his season kick started. Being the derby a good performace would have him buzzing.

He will probably score one.

[Rigadon]

"The thing I have noticed with Alonso is whilst his passing game is off hes getting more involved in breaking up the oppositions play"

True. Plus the opposition are putting more pressure on him i.e. giving him less time on the ball. I personally wouldn’t drop Xabi but I think Rafa may ‘rest’ him against the ****e.

[Zambian_Red]

Are we carrying him at the moment? Seems woefully out of form for club & country.

Or do we (or should I say let Rafa) play him back into form?

Does he need a longer rest period since the WC?

A spell in the reserves maybe?

Will we miss his passing ability whilst playing away in our next 3 matches, can we afford to just let him be for 2 weeks at Melwood?

Now we have some depth in the squad, providing Momo & SG are fully fit, we can play with wingers and leave SG & Momo to boss the midfield?

Personally, drop him, 3 tough away games, and he really isn't pulling his weight at the moment, and no point in dragging him along, give him 2 weeks at Melwood with club & family and let him recover a bit, then take it from there.

I thought he played really well against NI and yes he should play on Saturday being a derby he will be up to it and hopefully back to his best.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Absolutely not.

If you don't play him, he can't perform.

[Shaggy]

Personally I would start with Gerrard wide right, with Momo & Xabi in the middle. The thing I have noticed with Alonso is whilst his passing game is off hes getting more involved in breaking up the oppositions play, his game is more rounded and he was excellent against them last season

Too ****ing right he was.

Gerrard sent off...Bluenoses rejoicing as though they'd won the game, and Alonso stepping up to put in an almost faultless midfield performance. He was ****ing immense.

And the NOTW gave him 5/10 the next day. :whatever:

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Too ****ing right he was.

Gerrard sent off...Bluenoses rejoicing as though they'd won the game, and Alonso stepping up to put in an almost faultless midfield performance. He was ****ing immense.

And the NOTW gave him 5/10 the next day. :whatever:

I remember their backpage headline after that game; "Yob culture". Cun ts.

[Shaggy]

I remember their backpage headline after that game; "Yob culture". Cun ts.

Seriously? I didn't see the paper....a mate told me that Alonso got 5 and I couldn't ****ing believe it.

[red g]

Too ****ing right he was.

Gerrard sent off...Bluenoses rejoicing as though they'd won the game, and Alonso stepping up to put in an almost faultless midfield performance. He was ****ing immense.

And the NOTW gave him 5/10 the next day. :whatever:

yeh forget about that ....perfect game for him to get back on song then.

[ronan]

i dunno . i'd rest him if it was down to me.
i think he looks tired/unfit.
it will be interesting this year if rafa continues to play him in the centre with momo as it will offer him a lot more protection and offer him the chance to drop deep and collect the ball as he likes to do.a lot of teams identified him last year as the man through which all our passing moves flowed
he has developed his game more in line with the english game as in he tracks back a lot more and puts in some good challenges, but i'd prefer to see him in his natural role spraying passes around the pitch.
sorry , im rambling. drop him!

[MrMichael]

Its a difficult one; if Momo was at 100% I'd definitely give him a bit of time off first, then give him his place back and let him play back into form. The maturity with which he generally plays often disguised the fact that he's still relatively young and over the course of the season we might well benefit more if we gave him a short break now.

However, if the only alternative this weekend is the equally out-of-sorts Zenden... well I know who I'd go for

[Charlie_B]

Alonso has been fairly average so far this season.

However, with Sissoko not being a dead cert, Zenden the other midfield option, XA's wonderful performance last season, and the fact that he's a worldclass player going through a rough patch, and he beats himself up about a stray 50-yard pass, let alone **** (relatively) form, I'd play the *******.

Even if it gives the Bitters a chance, as Arteta is better, dontcha know?