Ryan Babel

[dom9]

Walcott is not a striker though.

[Joe King]

I think he's progressing really well for us. Rafa's been clever IMO in the way he has used him...gradually easing him into life in the Premiership.

A few people have noted a comparison with John Barnes, and I can totally see that. He's obviously nowhere near the player JB was in his prime, but there are definite similarities. For anyone too young to have seen Digger, I remember us all getting really excited when the ball went to him, as you just knew something good was going to happen. I'm starting to get that feeling about Babel.

There's still a hell of a lot more to come from him, but the signs are there.

Great goal today too.

Natural striker playing on the wing, it is a bonus when he can finish the sort of play we had today (his goal). He can chip in with a fair amount of goals and probably should do better next season, touchwood, he gets no injuries.

[MARTINOZ]

A few weeks ago people on here were crapping on about Babel not being good enough and being a silly purchase by Rafa - fans are a fickle bunch.

[lfcruleus]

Im starting to believe in Babel now especially off the bench, still his touch concerns me but against a tired defense he will get away with it for now, christ he can hit a ball though, the one that flew wide was like a rocket.

[Darth Marty]

Babel looks as good as we all hoped he would be. Genius signing and I hope for many more of these!

[DeeGame]

was awesome today

[alunevans]

he looks an out and out centre forward to me.

[FT9]

he looks an out and out centre forward to me.

Yep - when he gets the ball his instinct is to bang it towards goal - EVERYTIME

Its not a bad thing - well it is when his on wing but its great to have someone with those instincts in the squad again.

[Svennis]

Yeah Babel is improving. Looks like that right wing is more his position than left wing.

[Howard_lfc]

he looks an out and out centre forward to me.

Me too.

I've been pretty disappointed with him up to now tbh. My biggest concerns were his first touch and his reticence to use his pace. I thought today he looked like he was finally doing what Rafa wanted him to do.

Somebody further up the thread mentioned that he reminded him of Digger, but for me he's got Terry Henry written all over him; even the way he receives the ball with the outside of his right foot and sticks his left arm out to hold off defenders.

[marcus50bucks]

A few weeks ago people on here were crapping on about Babel not being good enough and being a silly purchase by Rafa - fans are a fickle bunch.

Yep, I was one of them. I still don't rate him, however I will admit he looked good when he came on.

[Shaggy]

Me too.

I've been pretty disappointed with him up to now tbh. My biggest concerns were his first touch and his reticence to use his pace. I thought today he looked like he was finally doing what Rafa wanted him to do.

Somebody further up the thread mentioned that he reminded him of Digger, but for me he's got Terry Henry written all over him; even the way he receives the ball with the outside of his right foot and sticks his left arm out to hold off defenders.

Personally I see little of Digger in Babel. It's all Thierry Henry IMO - but with more power and directness.

[Kilteragh]

He knows where the back of the net is which Pennant clearly doesn't.

[FT9]

Me too.

I've been pretty disappointed with him up to now tbh. My biggest concerns were his first touch and his reticence to use his pace. I thought today he looked like he was finally doing what Rafa wanted him to do.

Somebody further up the thread mentioned that he reminded him of Digger, but for me he's got Terry Henry written all over him; even the way he receives the ball with the outside of his right foot and sticks his left arm out to hold off defenders.

Big word for an Aussie isn't it

[Howard_lfc]

He knows where the back of the net is which Pennant clearly doesn't.

Now we're all being positive here Kilt' - leave Pennant out of it !!