Babel "can't cope" with Premier League

[glynner]

From football365.com

(apologies if posted already elsewhere)

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has admitted that he "can't physically cope" with the pace of the Premier League.


The 21-year-old Dutch international hasn't started a Premier League game since Boxing Day and has told Liverpool's official programme that he needs more time to adapt to the Premier League.


"I can't physically cope with the terrific pace of the Premier League. I invariably face a tall task, even also against the so-called small teams," said Babel.


"I would obviously relish more playing time."


Babel has started only five league games this season since completing his £11.5million move from Ajax in the summer but says he appreciates Rafael Benitez's ideas and believes they will benefit him in the long run.


"I am ambitious and want to play. I am sometimes a bit disappointed not to play but I appreciate Benitez's ideas.


"He adopts a rotation policy, I knew that beforehand. He has his own special ideas. He announces his starting XI one hour before kick-off. He will never give a hint at training whether you start or not.


"But I don't think it is awkward for me not be on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.


"We play compact as a team and must be on the move constantly, closing down opponents all over the park. I must provide cover for the left-back but I never shirk my duties anymore and nobody will ever catch me napping."

[MindGuerrillas]

This was in the Echo a week or so ago. It explains why he starts most games from bench though doesn't it

[rage]

how the **** are players expected to know how to play with each other if they don't know themselves the starting line up before af11 posts it on here for us all? Bizarre.

[smither]

From football365.com

nobody will ever catch me napping."

Think this is the most important part

[glynner]

wasn't he kicked off the Dutch u-21 squad for oversleeping?

[Bob]

how the **** are players expected to know how to play with each other if they don't know themselves the starting line up before af11 posts it on here for us all? Bizarre.

I don't like the idea at all. In fact i hate it, and i would hate it even more if i was a player.

I suppose his argument is it gets ALL the players mentality prepared for each game. A bollocks idea IM (armchair fan) O.

[MindGuerrillas]

how the **** are players expected to know how to play with each other if they don't know themselves the starting line up before af11 posts it on here for us all? Bizarre.

Because the spend all week in training playing together. They'll practice different formations and lineups all week long. The actual game is only a tiny part of a footballers time. All the learning to play together and getting used to systems is done in training not during a game.

[StevieG08]

Because the spend all week in training playing together. They'll practice different formations and lineups all week long. The actual game is only a tiny part of a footballers time. All the learning to play together and getting used to systems is done in training not during a game.

Still you can't argue with the fact we look like a team of 'strangers' at times. I think this along with the change in formations and heavy rotation from game to game accounts for our loss of form. That's just IMO.

[Phillyred]

They have changed what he said around to make it sounds worse than what he meant.

He was talking about why he signed and how Benitez is getting him used to the English game.

From http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80129-0903.htm:

"Liverpool had expressed an interest two years ago, but at that time I didn't have a good feeling," Babel told Liverpool's offical matchday programme.

"I didn't know anything about Liverpool and the club meant hardly anything to me, which was due to sheer ignorance on my part.

"This time it was different. Liverpool had reached the Champions League final twice and I was very much impressed by the performances that Steven Gerrard had put in.

"It would be wonderful to play in the same team with such a star, I thought.

"My agent also told me Liverpool had signed Fernando Torres and I got really interested. I want to win silverware. That's why I have joined this great club."

The flying Dutchman, who has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for the Reds so far, also revealed that he is eager to secure a more regular starting place in the Liverpool team - but accepts Rafael Benitez's softly, softly approach will benefit him in the long-term.

"I would obviously relish more playing time," he said.

"I am ambitious and want to play. I am sometimes a bit disappointed not to play but I appreciate Benitez's ideas.

"He adopts a rotation policy, I knew that beforehand. He has his own special ideas. He announces his starting XI one hour before kick-off. He will never give a hint at training whether you start or not.

"But I don't think it is awkward for me not be on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

"I can't physically cope with the terrific pace of the Premier League. I invariably face a tall task, even also against the so-called small teams.

"We play compact as a team and must be on the move constantly, closing down opponents all over the park. I must provide cover for the left-back but I never shirk my duties anymore and nobody will ever catch me napping."

[Howard_lfc]

wasn't he kicked off the Dutch u-21 squad for oversleeping?

twice !!!

[Joe King]

Rafa probably knows this and thats why he starts his games from the bench. He will take time. He is only 20-21? Next season, he will have to 'step up to the plate'

[bazza76]

Because the spend all week in training playing together. They'll practice different formations and lineups all week long. The actual game is only a tiny part of a footballers time. All the learning to play together and getting used to systems is done in training not during a game.

You can also add to that, if they really want to play, they will train harder to try and catch the eye, not announcing your starting line-up keeps players on their toes too.

[Red_Polo]

Let's hope this time next season the thread will be "Premier League 'can't cope' with Babel"

[merv]

I'm just back from the Netherlands after spending two long years working with them, they are the laziest race of people on gods green earth imo so to hear this from a young lad in peak physical shape doesn't surprise me one bit!! i'm surprised himself and Kuyt don't have to stop every 10 mins during a game for a coffee break

[Johnny]

Anyone who says rotation has anything to do with consistency is wrong.These players don`t just meet up once a week for a game of football.They train all week and know each others strenghts and should be able to play together no matter who is on the pitch.