Olympics - player watch

[saj]

Babel was absolutely poor today. He was plying up front and hardly recieved the ball. Everytime I've seen him play up front, he just seems to be out of the game. He's effective when he's involved in the game more. When he's played up front he seems to just run around in the final third waiting for the ball. When he plays on the wing for us, he seems to know what to do, what his job is and where to play. My opinion is that he can never be a full time striker. Perhaps maybe used up front as an impact player who comes off the bench. In fairness the service to him was poor and a couple of the dutch midfielders did hog the ball.

On a side note, our Insua seems well beter than the guy who was playing at left back for Argentina. Oh well, their loss - our gain

[BrooklynRed]

We (the USA) have Babel and the Dutch on Sunday. I'll be interested to see him against us, as there is no reason he shouldn't torch our team. That said, I am also hoping Jozy Altidore (who just signed for Villareal for £5 million from Red Bull NY) gets some playing time; Excited to see him and McBride (!!) link up top against the Dutch... Here's hoping for a USA victory and an injury-free match for Babel.

[lucas]

I ****in' hate these Olympic games. The sooner they are over the better.

And Argentina are playing 2 World Cup qualifies on Sept 6th & 10th. So the next time we see Masch in a red jersey could be Sept 13th. Home to Man Ure. He will be ****in' wrecked.

[Hammer]

I ****in' hate these Olympic games. The sooner they are over the better.

And Argentina are playing 2 World Cup qualifies on Sept 6th & 10th. So the next time we see Masch in a red jersey could be Sept 13th. Home to Man Ure. He will be ****in' wrecked.

Olympics finish on 23rd Aug, so we should have him back for 2nd leg against Standard Liege and the Villa game before he goes away for the World Cup qualifiers.

[Abro100]

When does the Olympics football tournament start?

[RedReet]

Holland 1 - USA 0
Babel (16)

[Dr Evil]

Holland 1 - USA 0
Babel (16)

Good finish past that new Villa keeper

[JPK]

Is it on tv?

[livvy145]

BBC Interactive (red button) or BBC online

[El Jefecito]

In the US (and maybe elsewhere) you can see it here http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_on...FB/online.html

[saj]

Its a joke - Babel is playing as a lone striker! I can't find it via the red button. Watch the game here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olym...2p&sid=7534980

[JPK]

BBC Interactive (red button) or BBC online

Cheers livvy

[El Jefecito]

Its a joke - Babel is playing as a lone striker! I can't find it via the red button. Watch the game here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olym...2p&sid=7534980

I think Makaay was injured and had to go off.

[El Jefecito]

The dutch coach needs to earn his money. The US have dominated since they went to three at the back.

[saj]

I think Makaay was injured and had to go off.

Nah, Makaay was a fitness doubt for this game as he has a ankle injury or something. He's been named as a substitute. This Dutch team/coach is an absolute joke. The team can't pass the ball and persistently play the long ball. I can't understand how you can get the best out of Babel playing up front on his own! Especially when he has no one passing him the ball. De Guzman is one of the most greedy players I've ever seen play.