I want to say something about Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel

[Skillz]

That is correct. Alonso takes off the burden of playmaking off Gerrard and pushes him forward. Mascherano in the team means Gerrard needs to drop deep and "carry" us. I've said that about a thousand times now. Alonso is a better partner for Gerrard if we're playing 4-4-2 and he's in the middle.

Agreed again

[Pablo]

One other thing I noticed about Babel last night is that his work rate is improving. He did a lot of good tracking back yesterday, made quite a few good interceptions and tackles. Initially he did very little when we werent in possession of the ball, but he has obviously worked hard on his game and is improving all the time.

If he can sort out his decision making, like Ronaldo has done, then I think he can be one hell of a player. So unlucky with that shot that came back of the post, that was a classy, classy finish.

Also, although I agree his main position should be as a striker, I also think he can be great as a winger, as long as its on the right wing. Hes so much more comfortable out on the right. When hes on the left all he does is cut inside and get a shot off with his right foot. Play Kewell left wing, Babel right wing. Then give him the odd game time up front as the season progresses

[Reece]

If he can sort out his decision making, like Ronaldo has done, then I think he can be one hell of a player.

I said this whilst watching last night. Ronaldo in his first (and possibly second as well) season was doing a lot of excellent stuff on the ball, but his decision making and crossing was really poor at times. So much so at times that I remember his team mates giving him an earful on a few occasions.

Lets hope Ryan can make the same sort of improvements!

[darkknight]

I dont think coops has really got my point about Babel. Tonight was a mixed game for him as many have been, but the point is, however he's playing, he's always going to be a threat. He's one of those players who can do nothing in a game, and then has the ability to produce the spark when you may not expect it.

He's an impact player, as opposed to the brigade of 'slow and stready' lads we've got...he's different and i'm bloody glad we got him.

your ve got more patience than me Syd

[Nicey]

I think Pennant deserves some praise as well, he played very well and got plenty of good crosses in and yes I know it was only a Luton makeshift defence.

I know he takes alot of flack on here but give him some credit.

Mate you are preaching to the choir

[Nicey]

I think Gerrard showed yesterday in which area of the pitch he's effective at and that's the final third. We need him to get the ball on the final third, not the halfway line and then he'll cause damage.

Nail on the head mate ... any game we play badly .. you will notice one thing ... how deep Stevie is picking up the ball ... a lot of the time in the DM field role he needs to play that Centeral Attacking mid field role .. hes the best in the world there for me

[Shaggy]

I hope this hasn’t already been said, although it’s not exactly syooper-insightful.

There are a few parallels between Babel in this, his first season, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s first campaign. I wouldn’t know about the number of starts, goals etc – I’m talking in terms of form and performance.

I remember vividly coming into work and listening to Mancs argue about him…

“He’s got so much potential!”

“He’s ****! He’s too erratic! His end product is too often lacking!”

Much in the same way Babel splits opinions now. What is he? 19? 20 at the most. A mate of mine thinks he’s “****” – “I don’t care how young he is, he’s ****!”

What kind of attitude is that?

Babel is going to be a huge star. His sometimes makes the wrong decisions and can be erratic in the extreme – those precise words could’ve been used to describe Ronaldo at one point.

United have the triumvirate of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez. Our answer to that is (or rather, will be) Torres, Gerrard and Babel – and for my money our trio will be better.

[IanTatt]

Start babel with torres upfront. he's not a winger. He have proven he can score goals, he strikes the ball superbly, which you need to do if you want to score goals..

[Pablo]

So its decided then, hes a combination of Henry and Ronaldo

No pressure Ryan, no pressure.

[flyboy]

FFS its just LUTON. I mean if stevie or babel played really well against a premiership team well then theres something to shout about...but its just luton. A little perspective pls

[Nicey]

FFS its just LUTON. I mean if stevie or babel played really well against a premiership team well then theres something to shout about...but its just luton. A little perspective pls

Did you watch the game ?

[Nicey]

I hope this hasn’t already been said, although it’s not exactly syooper-insightful.

There are a few parallels between Babel in this, his first season, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s first campaign. I wouldn’t know about the number of starts, goals etc – I’m talking in terms of form and performance.

I remember vividly coming into work and listening to Mancs argue about him…

“He’s got so much potential!”

“He’s ****! He’s too erratic! His end product is too often lacking!”

Much in the same way Babel splits opinions now. What is he? 19? 20 at the most. A mate of mine thinks he’s “****” – “I don’t care how young he is, he’s ****!”

What kind of attitude is that?

Babel is going to be a huge star. His sometimes makes the wrong decisions and can be erratic in the extreme – those precise words could’ve been used to describe Ronaldo at one point.

United have the triumvirate of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez. Our answer to that is (or rather, will be) Torres, Gerrard and Babel – and for my money our trio will be better.

I think the comparasions are a little out of wack, that little wissel was a little bit special from day one, but he show boated too much, dived too much and did not have the physical strength for the English game, but he was just about world class from the get go as much as it pains me to say ..and to think we were trying to sign him also ..

[Shaggy]

I think the comparasions are a little out of wack, that little wissel was a little bit special from day one, but he show boated too much, dived too much and did not have the physical strength for the English game, but he was just about world class from the get go as much as it pains me to say ..and to think we were trying to sign him also ..

He wasn’t. Far from it. Your memory is playing tricks.

[Slim]

Babel is going to be **** hot. For a young lad settling into a new team, a new league and a new country he has already scored more goals than most of our strikers and he hasn't even been playing up front. The lad has bags of potential. I just hope Rafa can stay to bring the best out of him in the coming seasons.

[Slim]

He wasn’t. Far from it. Your memory is playing tricks.

Yeah IIRC he had some great games in his first season but a lot of very average ones where he ran down blind alleys. I remember him being sent off at Man City the following year and people were saying he was suffering from 'second season syndrome' and had been found out. Then all of a sudden he was (pains me to say it) ****ing great and has been ever since.

It just goes to show we will have to have patience with Babel, even next season as well, and see if he rewards the team with his pacey running and regular goals.