Xabi - or not Xabi

[Howard_lfc]

Our squad must be seriously strong if Alonso can't even make the squad for the game against Havant. We've been playing shocking football lately and yet Rafa still doesn't think Xabi deserves a spell in the team. I wouldn't mind if results had been good and Xabi simply had to bide his time and then take his chance - but we've only won 2 games this year, against Luton and Havant respectively ! And still he doesn't get in the team.......

I wouldn't be surprised if Xabi goes back to Spain now which I think would be a shame coz I think he's an excellent player, with a great attitude.

[Jayesh87]

Our squad must be seriously strong if Alonso can't even make the squad for the game against Havant. We've been playing shocking football lately and yet Rafa still doesn't think Xabi deserves a spell in the team. I wouldn't mind if results had been good and Xabi simply had to bide his time and then take his chance - but we've only won 2 games this year, against Luton and Havant respectively ! And still he doesn't get in the team.......

I wouldn't be surprised if Xabi goes back to Spain now which I think would be a shame coz I think he's an excellent player, with a great attitude.

Xabi was rested as Javier is suspended for the West Ham game midweek, so Rafa wants to keep him fresh!

[Gazzla]

I just think it was more of a case Xabi starting midweek as Mascher is suspended so why risk an injury?

[Howard_lfc]

Xabi was rested as Javier is suspended for the West Ham game midweek, so Rafa wants to keep him fresh!

Fresh? He's hardly kicked a ball in anger for ages.......

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I just think it was more of a case Xabi starting midweek as Mascher is suspended so why risk an injury?

I wouldn't be too bothered if we sold Alonso. I don't think he and Gerrard are the ideal CM pairing and he's failed to reach the heights of our first season with us.

[Jayesh87]

Fresh? He's hardly kicked a ball in anger for ages.......

Yea and his recovery time will be longer as he has been injured for ages. Rafa was correct with this decision.

[Nicey]

Our squad must be seriously strong if Alonso can't even make the squad for the game against Havant.


Jesus ****ing wept .... lost me after this line ...

[Skillz]

I wouldn't be too bothered if we sold Alonso. I don't think he and Gerrard are the ideal CM pairing and he's failed to reach the heights of our first season with us.

Couldn't disagree more and if we sell him I would be seriously concerned about our ambitions.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I wouldn't be too bothered if we sold Alonso. I don't think he and Gerrard are the ideal CM pairing and he's failed to reach the heights of our first season with us.

Couldn't disagree more and if we sell him I would be seriously concerned about our ambitions.

Fair enough but I wouldn't be concerned about our ambitions if we did sell simply because I think the money from any such sale could be used in more pressing areas. This would of course all be dependant on tying up Mascherano. It's all a matter of opinion. I simply don't think he's that good.

[Skillz]

Fair enough but I wouldn't be concerned about our ambitions if we did sell simply because I think the money from any such sale could be used in more pressing areas. This would of course all be dependant on tying up Mascherano. It's all a matter of opinion. I simply don't think he's that good.

Like I said I disagree, each to their own.

[Darth Marty]

I have always liked Alonso but have always thought he was expendable, certainly since we had Masch/lucas in reserve, however this season has made me have a rethink and its now I think it was an on form Xabi that made us the good team that we were/are.

Since his dip in form/rotation we havent been the same and I am now of the opinion that its Xabi that is the real general of our midfield.

Keep him.

[Alex]

Our squad must be seriously strong if Alonso can't even make the squad for the game against Havant.


Jesus ****ing wept .... lost me after this line ...

Given up not swearing then mate ??

[Nic83]

There are 4 players in our squad that are world class. Xabi is one of them.

[Roboklopp]

Nore sure why Xabi wasnt played yesterday despite MAscher's suspension. He's been out a while & needs back some match fitness & sharpness & an easier gama (at least on paper) against H&W seems a better idea than throwin him pretty much straight in against WHam.

[carrsim]

as many have pointed out, he is a certain starter on wednesday for me and maybe his fitness levels are not up to 2 games in 3 days (even if yesterday's shoudl have been easier than it was)

its no surprise to me that our best spells of football (and arguably results)
this season have been when stevie and xabi played in the middle.

i do happen to think that javier is a good player but my first choice would be alonso and stevie- i just think he offers more than javier and can do the defensive job virtually as well

i wouldn't sell him