I want to say something about Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel

[disco]

Indeed. If Kuyt scores 17 more goals this season I'll be very happy.

[red g]

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

are you saying there is hope for kuyt the rejuvenated yet?

[lawrie]

are you saying there is hope for kuyt the rejuvenated yet?

I sensed the crowd were willing him to score tonight (I know I was from my sofa) if thats the case, the extra support might just turn it around for him

[Johnny]

Honurable mention for Pennant without starting a new thread.

[calvoboy]

To be honest, I thought Babel was ****e tonight for most of the game. But then he got the important first goal, and has got the knack of being in the right place at the right time. He was like the anti-Pennant tonight. Pennant looked good whenever he got the ball (apart from one **** pass after doing the hard work), had some great touches, put some great crosses in, but never looked a goal threat. Whereas Babel always looks a goal threat despite never beating his man, putting **** crosses in and giving the ball away. He'll learn though, and I agree that we have a potential future star on our hands. I'd just emphasise the word potential more than most.

As for Gerrard, it goes without saying he's truly world-class. Can't believe someone a few rows behind me slags him every game. Apparently he never does it when it matters :whatever:

[Darth Marty]

My opinion on a part of this discussion is this - when at a match depending on where your sat you have restricted view, you simply cant see everything that goes on, you have a far better view if your watching the whole match on tv. However highlights on the tv just dont cut it at all, thats just editing and as with any editing the tv channel can pretty much show you the bits they want you to see.

But obviously nothing comes close to the atmosphere at a real match.

[Craig_H]

are you saying there is hope for kuyt the rejuvenated yet?

There's more hope for OJ Simpson...

[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!!!

I dont regard a couple of months as 'that long'.

Most people would be shooting their load if Crouch, Voronin or Kuyt scored 17 in 31 this season.

[paulcooper4]

To be honest, I thought Babel was ****e tonight for most of the game. But then he got the important first goal, and has got the knack of being in the right place at the right time. He was like the anti-Pennant tonight. Pennant looked good whenever he got the ball (apart from one **** pass after doing the hard work), had some great touches, put some great crosses in, but never looked a goal threat. Whereas Babel always looks a goal threat despite never beating his man, putting **** crosses in and giving the ball away. He'll learn though, and I agree that we have a potential future star on our hands. I'd just emphasise the word potential more than most.

[CAD]

was thinkin bout this before, I think Rafa's spot on with what he's doing

If he plays babel up front straight away, and he goes a number of games without a goal or can't handle the defenders, his confidence goes down, and he might start getting the slating that kuyt and voronin are getting.

By playing him on the wing, he gets to settle into the english game test himself against our full backs and also the CB's when he gets the chance, his primary objective is to pass the ball and not shoot, and as such the games he goes without scoring don't affect him as much. This helps him settle while still obviously not using him to his full potential so he can unleash him in a forward role next season.

Thats my take on it anyway, and if it's what rafa thinks as well, then i think he's spot on

Interesting point there, Morph

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Babel was good tonight but you cant help feel that he has so much more to give!!!!

Very exciting talent just has to be groomed well and then will see him play excellent on a consistent basis

[Craig_H]

Babel was good tonight but you cant help feel that he has so much more to give!!!!

Very exciting talent just has to be groomed well and then will see him play excellent on a consistent basis

That sounds sleazy

[Johnny]

That sounds sleazy

Only in a sleasey mind..............

[Kaip]

When he sorts his legs out he's gonna be some player

[kurtangle01]

I like Babel. Hopefully he's here for a very long time because he's only going to get better.