Constructing the Tower of Babel

[Joe King]

too add, He doesn't have to go outside everytime - but he needs to do it at least every 1 in 3-4 attempts at taking the defender on so he is a least making the full back think.

Off topic a bit but when i first started playing footie when i was 8-9 I played left wing - my dad always told me that in the first five mins or so of every game(basically as soon as you get ur first touch), get the ball and go at your marker - he said forget about the rest of the team, forget about playing the easy ball etc - get it and run at the full back, he will **** it as he won't be expecting it and if you beat him the first time thats it, you will beat him every time. If you don't beat him don't worry theres a lot of other things you can do/try there is a long way to go so don't worry if you have a run and he tackles you in the first 5 mins - but if you get him that first time you know you can do him, he knows you can do him and you will do him every time and he was right. I think if somebody could drill this into babels skull it would work wonders for him

PTP, the psychologist

Who did you use for your background knowledge? Pavlov? Freud? Gestalt?

[El Jefecito]

too add, He doesn't have to go outside everytime - but he needs to do it at least every 1 in 3-4 attempts at taking the defender on so he is a least making the full back think.

Off topic a bit but when i first started playing footie when i was 8-9 I played left wing - my dad always told me that in the first five mins or so of every game(basically as soon as you get ur first touch), get the ball and go at your marker - he said forget about the rest of the team, forget about playing the easy ball etc - get it and run at the full back, he will **** it as he won't be expecting it and if you beat him the first time thats it, you will beat him every time. If you don't beat him don't worry theres a lot of other things you can do/try there is a long way to go so don't worry if you have a run and he tackles you in the first 5 mins - but if you get him that first time you know you can do him, he knows you can do him and you will do him every time and he was right. I think if somebody could drill this into babels skull it would work wonders for him

See I think has started to do that. At the beginning of the season he always cut in. But he has obviously been working on it and towards the end of the season he has gone outside and he has thrown crosses in with his left foot. He's not there yet but it seems clear to me that he is developing.

I also remember him saying that the when he first came here Rafa concentrated on developing his defensive game pressing, positioning etc. So maybe we will see his development accelerate as Rafa focuses on the attacking side of his game.

[keniget]

I don't come on here that often, but that's probably the best, most well thought out post I've read on here.

Not sure Babel is world class waiting to happen mind, but one can always be hopeful. I like him anyways.

[PTP]

PTP the coach, who'd have thought it!

- I'm not called rafa the gaffer by many people for nothing

Seriously tho - many people i know through football call me rafa as I have been player manager for a few teams

[Rich]

- I'm not called rafa the gaffer by many people for nothing

Seriously tho - many people i know through football call me rafa as I have been player manager for a few teams

God help them teams then; pre-match snacks of noodles and tuna...

[PTP]

PTP, the psychologist

Who did you use for your background knowledge? Pavlov? Freud? Gestalt?

I went to the school of life my young padawan

[PTP]

God help them teams then; pre-match snacks of noodles and tuna...

and half time lines of coke and a pint...... EVERYONE wanted to play for my team

[Abro100]

It his decision making for me, weather to cross or shoot which is the major gripe.
He alway blasts his shots aswell when a side foot is suffice, he could of had another 4 goals this season if he had. i dont think he has a footballing brain yet.

[Ryan_Derrick]

In terms of the playing on the left but being right footed (and wanting to cut in) he could do a lot worse than look at the example of Pires. I think the point about his game intelligence not being at that level is very true. Pires almost never used his left foot in anger but it really didn't matter - partly because he became very good at a certain sort of cross from the left with his right foot and partly because he was so good at making decisions.

The thing with Pires was he always had Cashley overlapping. Every time he cut inside, and the full back went with him, he had the option of the easy ball out wide to, a then, unmarked Cashley. If the full back goes with Cashley's run, Pires had time and space to put the ball in/shoot with his right. So, until we have an overlapping left back, that will either create an extra option or a diversion Babel, or anyone playing that position, will struggle.

[Rich]

The thing with Pires was he always had Cashley overlapping. Every time he cut inside, and the full back went with him, he had the option of the easy ball out wide to, a then, unmarked Cashley. If the full back goes with Cashley's run, Pires had time and space to put the ball in/shoot with his right. So, until we have an overlapping left back, that will either create an extra option or a diversion Babel, or anyone playing that position, will struggle.

excellent point

[tomasjj]

The thing with Pires was he always had Cashley overlapping. Every time he cut inside, and the full back went with him, he had the option of the easy ball out wide to, a then, unmarked Cashley. If the full back goes with Cashley's run, Pires had time and space to put the ball in/shoot with his right. So, until we have an overlapping left back, that will either create an extra option or a diversion Babel, or anyone playing that position, will struggle.

yes. we could see this quite clearly against Chelsea, as they were able to double up on Babel all the time since our left back was not supporting Babel with overlapping runs.

[dww]

The thing with Pires was he always had Cashley overlapping. Every time he cut inside, and the full back went with him, he had the option of the easy ball out wide to, a then, unmarked Cashley. If the full back goes with Cashley's run, Pires had time and space to put the ball in/shoot with his right. So, until we have an overlapping left back, that will either create an extra option or a diversion Babel, or anyone playing that position, will struggle.

It's a sound point.
Does he have one now a Villareal? I've heard he has been immense this season there.

[Shaggy]

It's a sound point.
Does he have one now a Villareal? I've heard he has been immense this season there.

I think Pires has had a more central role for them this season.

[dww]

I think Pires has had a more central role for them this season.

Fair enough

[wiw]

He looks to try and force things to me, and he's caught in two minds perhaps. I'm guessing the call from Rafa is 'tempo' and he's still struggling where a snap decision is required. That, and the lack of space at Anfield against packed defences. He certainly has it in him, against Blackburn away (I think?) he tore the full back a new one. Can't wait to see him next season