John Arne Riise

[ningnangnong]

First off, let me say i don't want this to turn into slagfest of Riise, because he's been a very dependable and at times outstanding player for us over the years.

Anyway, what's happened to him?

Last season, and this one he's been very ordinary.

His one-footedness is beginning to frustrate me greatly, and against Derby most times he got the ball he just wasn't sharp enough - as in he didn't seem to click with some of the moves we were making.

Plus, has he put on weight? I reckon he's definitely much larger than he was a few seasons back, it seems to be affecting him. He doesn't have the decent pace he use to, although he's not slow.

I don't think we should sell him, he's a solid squad member, nothing more nothing less. But i think he really needs to work hard to earn that new contract he wants, because if he keeps on going the way he is, he won't receive it.

I hope he can capture his old form.

[rage]

i hope we sell him in january

[Dan]

He's definetly lost something big since Houllier left Great player in his time but even though he's probably not going to ever get back to his standard, I think we should keep him til he retires. Can always put in a decent performance and will on occasion(albeit not this season) pull off a tremendous appearance that will have the sky pundits licking his left nut.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

I hope we sign Bale

[Marky]

I hope we sign Bale

Brilliant talent the lad.

On the topic of left backs i watched the West Ham, Reading match yday afternoon and was very, very impressed with Nicky Shorey.
Always knew he was a good player but he really stood out for me today, great left peg on him, decent skill, defends well and always looking to overlap and provide width down the left hand side.

[Craig_H]

I think it's more a case of us as a team evolving and the Riise type of player is simply not of the level that we're reaching, and trying to reach.

He was good enough a few years back, but these days, he's nothing more than a squad player.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Brilliant talent the lad.

On the topic of left backs i watched the West Ham, Reading match yday afternoon and was very, very impressed with Nicky Shorey.
Always knew he was a good player but he really stood out for me today, great left peg on him, decent skill, defends well and always looking to overlap and provide width down the left hand side.

Yeah Bale should of been signed up but 10 million(I think) was alot for a 17 year old...oh well as ever Spurs sign up the talent and then have sell to the big boys after a couple of years and the player wanting to leave for bigger things

Shorey is a good player West Ham fan so probably head there, also were there stories linking him with Chelski and Manure

[Biff]

I think it's more a case of us as a team evolving and the Riise type of player is simply not of the level that we're reaching, and trying to reach.

He was good enough a few years back, but these days, he's nothing more than a squad player.

[ningnangnong]

I think it's more a case of us as a team evolving and the Riise type of player is simply not of the level that we're reaching, and trying to reach.

He was good enough a few years back, but these days, he's nothing more than a squad player.

Very true DJS.

I'd still have him purely as backup though.

[Guest]

We need ball playing defenders. I've noticed, particularly at home this season, teams have been pressurizing us up the pitch and not allowed time for our defenders to build attacks.

Neither Sami or Carra are 'quick thinkers' in building attacks, meaning that they don't always see a quick pass, therefore they prefer to wait with the ball at their feet. Either the player who was free isn't anymore, because they waited too long, or they just lump it long as a result of pressure.

We've been undone so many times at home because of that. Agger coming back is a must, as he's calm in possession and is a good passer of the ball. We need another one of his mould though.

As for JAR, he just isn't a technically gifted player, though he's not that bad. He can't cross the ball and each time he finds himself overlapping, the end product isn't there. Aurelio is a much better player in that aspect.

[Resu]

How did JAR do as a CD?
I`m very surprised Hobbs wasn`t even on the bench. He has looked raw the few times I`ve seem him, but good enough to keep Riise from a CD place.

[Howard_lfc]

I hope we sign Bale

He can bring his Bupa bills with eh?

[AFII]

Sell Riise, buy Lahm.

Lahm is the most complete fullback in the world, why aim for anything less than the best?

[StevieG08]

I used to stick up for Riise but he's been shocking this season. Very poor defensively and offers very little going forward, you can see Carra bollocking him time after time during a game as he keeps getting drawn out of position. We really need to improve on him and would sell in January.

[Svennis]

Our all fullbacks are so slow. We need pacey fullbacks. Compare our fullbacks to Arsenals, Man Utds and Chelseas fullbacks and see the massive difference. Improving the fullbacks is one of the most important things, if we want to improve the football we play.