xabi - returning to form?

[el matador]

javier - javi - castellan
xabier - xabi - basque, catalan

I think he will go in the summer to one of real madrid, barcelona, valencia or athletico - probably real madrid. I just hope he doesnt take benitez with him.

Balague himself questioned whether alonso would be here next season.

[Kenneth]

A ****e xabi is a liability, and he has been on a number of occasions in recent weeks. Lucas doesn't do anything spectacular, but when he's playing well, he's tidy. I'd rather have a player playing it simple than one trying the spectacular through ball but getting it wrong consistently. My position last week was that xabi was worth more money than he was worth to the team. If he plays like yesterday or better until the end of the season, I'll reconsider.

[el matador]

A ****e xabi is a liability, and he has been on a number of occasions in recent weeks. Lucas doesn't do anything spectacular, but when he's playing well, he's tidy. I'd rather have a player playing it simple than one trying the spectacular through ball but getting it wrong consistently. My position last week was that xabi was worth more money than he was worth to the team. If he plays like yesterday or better until the end of the season, I'll reconsider.

that's a bit harsh mate.

He's not been on his game for the last couple of seasons and I agree that sometimes he doesnt do enough for the team. But Xabi has class and there can be no question about that.

Our system doesnt suit him because until gerrard moved into the hole behind torres he didnt have an out ball. Our wingers rarely get tight to the sidelines and dont give him enough space to play his passes into.

Xabi is like the quarterback. He needs people to make runs into space and he will get the ball to them. We dont have enough runners. Xabi in a more progressive team with better wide players would be a fabulous asset.

Lucas has yet to convince anyone that he can be anything more than a squad player.

[Nic83]

Haha ! You wait for an inch to pounce. Why didn't you reply to my post earlier ?

you made an error in this sentence: "Xabi is established and have been here for 4 years" so I didn't think it merited a response.


















No seriously I didn't respond as it seems perfectly ok what you said(strangely enough!), but that's not what I'm arguing about. He has done well for his first season and because he's young etc etc but IMO, on the pitch he doesn't offer as much as an out of form Xabi does, but then again, not too many do.

[Nic83]

A ****e xabi is a liability, and he has been on a number of occasions in recent weeks. Lucas doesn't do anything spectacular, but when he's playing well, he's tidy. I'd rather have a player playing it simple than one trying the spectacular through ball but getting it wrong consistently. My position last week was that xabi was worth more money than he was worth to the team. If he plays like yesterday or better until the end of the season, I'll reconsider.

You mustn't be a fan of gerrard then.

[Skillz]

You mustn't be a fan of gerrard then.

Good point

If anything I want Xabi to start trying more attacking options. He will too as he is coming back into form IMO.

[Rishi73]

No Xabi (no matter on form or not) = inability to keep the ball and lots of hoofing from defence. We saw earlier in the season we were drawing many games and I don't think its a coincidence that we have put a few wins together since his return. I didn't think Xabi was all that after watching the Blackburn game but the analysis on MOTD changed my mind about that. His role might not be eye catching but he does an important job for the team and that is to keep us ticking.

[Guest]

you made an error in this sentence: "Xabi is established and have been here for 4 years" so I didn't think it merited a response.


















No seriously I didn't respond as it seems perfectly ok what you said(strangely enough!), but that's not what I'm arguing about. He has done well for his first season and because he's young etc etc but IMO, on the pitch he doesn't offer as much as an out of form Xabi does, but then again, not too many do.

Good, at least a constructive argument from you. Fair enough.

[Welhung]

Xabi is good, and I would be sad to see him go. But do we still need him? Or more to the point can we accommodate him?

I can't believe the flack that Lucas cops on this forum. The lad is absolute class. He plays **** all remember, its his 1st season in a new country/league. Not ****en bad I think. Plus the good thing about him is that he is more versatile than Xabi. In other words he is better at attacking. I have been impressed with him every time he plays. Xabi sometimes makes me so frustrated. But I still love the guy.

If we were to have Xabi leave then I wish him all the best. And hopefuly it will work out well for all concerned. Would I swap him for Henry?..... Yes.

[Harv]

a 'v' in spain is pronounced as a 'B'

IE: Vivo en espana would be pronounced bebo en espana which means i live in spain

depends where in Spain mate.

Castillian, Catalan and Basque is very different.

[El Jefecito]

Xabi was brought in as the deep lying playmaker who can get forward. Lucas has been doing more playmaking recently and is learning the deeper role. El Jefecito is starting to add to the attacking side of his game.

Xabi, unless he ups his game, is likely to be left behind by those two.

BTW Those who have watched the reserves will have noted that Plessis' passing on occasion is as good as Xabi's ever was.

[fred_plasticine]

No Xabi (no matter on form or not) = inability to keep the ball and lots of hoofing from defence. We saw earlier in the season we were drawing many games and I don't think its a coincidence that we have put a few wins together since his return. I didn't think Xabi was all that after watching the Blackburn game but the analysis on MOTD changed my mind about that. His role might not be eye catching but he does an important job for the team and that is to keep us ticking.

he does get caught in possession and misplaces easy passes now and then which is frustrating alright. we have much more stability when he's on the pitch, we keep the ball usually better and don't get run over. i've frustrated with him for some time, however, his presence and role is of utmost importance to the team.

[El Jefecito]

he does get caught in possession and misplaces easy passes now and then which is frustrating alright. we have much more stability when he's on the pitch, we keep the ball usually better and don't get run over. i've frustrated with him for some time, however, his presence and role is of utmost importance to the team.

He is getting better he only got caught in possesion once this week. He never used to get caught at all. Recently it's been 4-5 a game. So on the bright side he is getting sharper. I think he'll get even better towards through the end of the season.