I want to say something about Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel

[paulcooper4]

Id play him up front. The other 3 cabbages are useless. Crouch, yet again, done **** all when given a chance.

He is a lively player, just needs to make better decisions. And not shoot EVERY time he gets a chance. Make defenders and goalys think a bit more.

[chrispy]

I can see a young Henry in Babel. It took Henry a while to settle into life over here and how we play the game and Rafa's doing the right thing in breaking the lad in slowly. It's painfully obvious though that he's not a winger and when he plays he should play up front with Nando.

[Morph]

Yeah, i wouldnt argue with that too much morph.

But he's getting goals from midfield, i think he could be potentially explosive up front.

and that's what really excites me, only thing is I don't think rafa's going to be here to see this

[nbryan1764]

You quite often do, go all league games and you can get an impression at the match because you are concentrating on the area the ball is. On TV you see everything, you get a better idea about the game.

I think it is exactly the opposite, on tv you only see the areas that tv wants you to see at the game your area of vision is usually greater and you can see far more of what players off the ball are doing

[Gazzla]

I think he could be potentially explosive up front.

Totally agree, I think this season is more to do with getting used to the pace and physicality of the Premiership and getting the most out of him as a very effective impact player.

I think he will make a position his own next year and I really expect big things from him next year

[Morph]

Id play him up front. The other 3 cabbages are useless. Crouch, yet again, done **** all when given a chance.

He is a lively player, just needs to make better decisions. And not shoot EVERY time he gets a chance. Make defenders and goalys think a bit more.

he'll always shoot when he's on the left tho, cos his crossing with his left isn't much kop, thats why i really wanted to see him on the right today, which is where he scored his goal from

[Craig_H]

Id play him up front. The other 3 cabbages are useless. Crouch, yet again, done **** all when given a chance.

He is a lively player, just needs to make better decisions. And not shoot EVERY time he gets a chance. Make defenders and goalys think a bit more.

Whilst Crouch wasnt good tonight, he was playing against a 'batten down the hatches', 'get your bollock in front of the ball if you have to type of defence'.

I still maintain that if he plays week in, week out, he'll score goals.

[Craig_H]

I can see a young Henry in Babel. It took Henry a while to settle into life over here and how we play the game and Rafa's doing the right thing in breaking the lad in slowly. It's painfully obvious though that he's not a winger and when he plays he should play up front with Nando.

oh god, you had to do it!

For the record, Henry played 31 PL games in his first season...and scored 17 goals.

So he didnt take THAT long to settle, contrary to the popular misconception that he had a poor first season.

[Craig_H]

and that's what really excites me, only thing is I don't think rafa's going to be here to see this

Montse's around somewhere, she'll tell him...in exchange for a new watch.

[paulcooper4]

I think it is exactly the opposite, on tv you only see the areas that tv wants you to see at the game your area of vision is usually greater and you can see far more of what players off the ball are doing

[Monty]

I thought he took his goal well tonight. He's no doubt an exciting prospect and the type of "impact" player we need.

I trust Rafa's judgement in not playing him up front for now, it's a lot of pressure for a new player to be put up front, the expectation to score, no matter how well he plays, is very high. I'd rather see him eased into the team, gain experience and confidence before putting the added pressure of scoring goals on his shoulders. More of the same please.

[disco]

oh god, you had to do it!

For the record, Henry played 31 PL games in his first season...and scored 17 goals.

So he didnt take THAT long to settle, contrary to the popular misconception that he had a poor first season.

The 'bad start' was only 1 or 2 goals in first 20 games/4 months

Which makes it all the more remarkable what he did for the rest of the season (31 goals in total)

I'd love to see Babel get a chance up front...

[red g]

oh god, you had to do it!

For the record, Henry played 31 PL games in his first season...and scored 17 goals.

So he didnt take THAT long to settle, contrary to the popular misconception that he had a poor first season.

Rubbish
he scored 5 goals before christmas in his first season......

he had a belter after christmas........if he had scored 5 at anfield before christmas some on here would have hung, drawn and quartered him!!!

[chrispy]

The 'bad start' was only 1 or 2 goals in first 20 games/4 months

Which makes it all the more remarkable what he did for the rest of the season (31 goals in total)

I'd love to see Babel get a chance up front...

Which is what I was referring to When he finds his feet Babel is going to explode in the same manner Henry did and partnering Nando up front will make us the envy of Europe

[Craig_H]

Rubbish
he scored 5 goals before christmas in his first season......

he had a belter after christmas........if he had scored 5 at anfield before christmas some on here would have hung, drawn and quartered him!!!

Not if he'd got 17 in 31 they wouldnt.