Robbie Keane

[Joe King]

Yes it tells us that benitez has won a major european league title.

Ailing is the word, not major. Spanish football was piss poor when Benitez won the title, he won it when the top two clubs were going through transition.

[Joe King]

Yes that's all true, but top class players under rafa still provide a huge attacking threat. Gerrard does, Torres does...and Young would.

Riera should, doesn't. Kuyt should, doesn't. Kuyt is a fricking striker, for gods sake. His natural instinct should be to attack instead its to see whose behind him.

[Craig_H]

Riera should, doesn't. Kuyt should, doesn't. Kuyt is a fricking striker, for gods sake. His natural instinct should be to attack instead its to see whose behind him.

Neither of those two are pacey, direct, and commit defenders. Gerrard and Torres are - and they're a huge asset.

The issue is the player's own attributes, more than what Rafa gets them to do.

Riera and Kuyt still attack but they're not huge attacking assets for us, because they're slow, not dynamic or direct, and easy to defend against.

[Joe King]

Neither of those two are pacey, direct, and commit defenders. Gerrard and Torres are - and they're a huge asset.

The issue is the player's own attributes, more than what Rafa gets them to do.

Riera and Kuyt still attack but they're not huge attacking assets for us, because they're slow, not dynamic or direct, and easy to defend against.

I'll agree with that however my point is that is Benitez's theory of reducing creativity thus reducing goals would mean Ashley Young wouldn't have been as productive for the side. Over the years, he has so many opportunities to bring in some pace on the wing yet he has insisted with cannon fodder i.e. Gonzalez, Pennant, Zenden (I won't add Kewell because he had one good season under Benitez) Riera for £8m and Kuyt for £11m. £19m on slow wingers, thats our downfall, bad money management in key areas.

[Craig_H]

I'll agree with that however my point is that is Benitez's theory of reducing creativity thus reducing goals would mean Ashley Young wouldn't have been as productive for the side. Over the years, he has so many opportunities to bring in some pace on the wing yet he has insisted with cannon fodder i.e. Gonzalez, Pennant, Zenden (I won't add Kewell because he had one good season under Benitez) Riera for £8m and Kuyt for £11m. £19m on slow wingers, thats our downfall, bad money management in key areas.

Yes but Young would still be quick, dynamic and scare the **** out of defenders. He wouldnt become slow, lethargic and easy to defend against.

If rafa did that to players, it would've happened to Gerrard and Torres too.

[Joe King]

Yes but Young would still be quick, dynamic and scare the **** out of defenders. He wouldnt become slow, lethargic and easy to defend against.

If rafa did that to players, it would've happened to Gerrard and Torres too.

Difference is that Gerrard and Torres play in advanced positions. They can't play in a 'rigid' defence first mentality as they are the first port for any potential counter attacks - whenever we do have them.

[Craig_H]

Yeah and so would Ashley Young.

Whatever i say, you'll have an uber negative answer to it, so let's agree to disagree, i cant be bothered to go round in circles. By your logic, we'd never sign anyone.

[wiw]

You're completely ignoring the players he has tried to sign and failed to for whatever reason - Alves, Simao, Walcott etc

[Marky]

Shower of absolute cunts at this football club, im starting to fall out of love for lfc

keane has been treated like ****e.,end of.

[Marky]

I'd literally shed tears if we signed Carlton Cole. He's ****. And his stock is high enough right now, that he'd cost a ****ing bomb.

[Shaggy]

Shower of absolute cunts at this football club, im starting to fall out of love for lfc

keane has been treated like ****e.,end of.

Boo ****ing hoo. So one of your (****e) Irish heroes is being (rightly) shipped out and you're falling out of love with the club? Get a grip.

[kop-al-74]

Keane has done **** all to deserve anything but what he has got.All those coming on saying he has been treated like this or that,get a grip.

He offers **** all to the team and hasn't approved a thing.Not his fault but i can't feel sorry for him at all.

[dom9]

Only read the last page of this thread, but SSN reckons he is not un the squad today either, and he's on his way out.

[kop-al-74]

Only read the last page of this thread, but SSN reckons he is not un the squad today either, and he's on his way out.

I really hope a deal can be done by tommorow.His situation is just another distraction tbh.

[Shaggy]

I'd be absolutely delighted if we get £15m for him. Amazed and delighted. Right result.