Reserves in Cup final action

[Pablo]

Have been interested in Weijl and Mendy as those are the types of players we need. Shame that Mendy isn't so good on the ball, judging by this one game. What attitude problem does Weijl have?

Weijl is just a little lazy at times, doesn't like tracking back, Darby was screaming at him all game. He will need to graft harder than that for Rafa to pick him I think.

That's the first time I've really watched Mendy, so I cant comment too much, but tonight he was poor on the ball, he's bloody quick though.

Nemeth oozes class.

[wiw]

Thanks Pablo. Where abouts do you live?

Shame about Pacheco, he seems to blow hot and cold

[Pablo]

I live in Crosby, by the beach, nice place.

Pacheco was a huge disappointment, unless he toughens up I fear the worst for him

[DannyMan2006]

Bruna - Too lightweight in a physical game. Worry if he will make it in England

Pacheco - Same as above, but he was even worse. Most disappointing LFC player tonight. Have big doubts about him in English football sadly.

Nemeth - Absolute class, head and shoulders the MOM. Awesome first touch and dribbling, very quick too. Get him on the bench for the 1st team!

Regarding Bruna and Pacheco I think that they are young enough to bulk up a bit for the future. We know Rafa doesn't rush kids through so if they have the class I'm sure they have plenty of time yet. From what I have seen of both I would say both have shown enough potential and for the most part do tend to try and get stuck in. Men agaisnt boys tonight though I'd guess.

As for Nemeth, had he stayed clear of injuries he could well have been in the same boat as Insua is now. Since his return from his most recent injury he has been quite poor and seems to have taken his time to get back in his stride. First goal for a while and I'd take a guess in saying the season is probably finishing too soon for him. If he can stay injury free I think he'll make an impact - dependant of course on who LFC sign in the summer.

[Pablo]

Bruna seems to have shot up since I saw him at the same Cup final last year. He is now slightly less lightweight than Pacheco, and even made a few decent tackles. He is very left footed though and Id say slightly less talented that Pacheco.

I just hope Pacheco is either due a growth spurt or can bulk up physically because he's such a lovely player to watch on the ball. Really wasn't his night last night, he was quite rightly the first player to be substituted. Simon came on for him and did very well I thought.

As for Nemeth....wow! His first touch in particular was consistently breathtaking. He has that knack of knocking it perfectly into space and breaking away from the defender almost every time it comes near him. He was really good at holding the ball up too, which is something he seems to have added to his game in the last 12 months.

I would have no problem with him being on the bench for the Newcastle game, in fact Id fancy him to score if he came on as a sub against them.

[tsb]

Glad to hear Nemeth is showing glimpses of last years form. Really worried about him after hearing he was lacklustre in his first few games back.

[saj]

Bruna seems to have shot up since I saw him at the same Cup final last year. He is now slightly less lightweight than Pacheco, and even made a few decent tackles. He is very left footed though and Id say slightly less talented that Pacheco.

I just hope Pacheco is either due a growth spurt or can bulk up physically because he's such a lovely player to watch on the ball. Really wasn't his night last night, he was quite rightly the first player to be substituted. Simon came on for him and did very well I thought.

As for Nemeth....wow! His first touch in particular was consistently breathtaking. He has that knack of knocking it perfectly into space and breaking away from the defender almost every time it comes near him. He was really good at holding the ball up too, which is something he seems to have added to his game in the last 12 months.

I would have no problem with him being on the bench for the Newcastle game, in fact Id fancy him to score if he came on as a sub against them.

He was always good at holding the ball up. In fact, I'd say that's one of his strongest attributes

[DannyMan2006]

He was always good at holding the ball up. In fact, I'd say that's one of his strongest attributes

Maybe when playing against kids his own age. Bit different when taking on the likes of Hangelande for example. I hope to see him progress next year to some substitute appearances at the least.

[dww]

Bruna seems to have shot up since I saw him at the same Cup final last year. He is now slightly less lightweight than Pacheco, and even made a few decent tackles. He is very left footed though and Id say slightly less talented that Pacheco.

I just hope Pacheco is either due a growth spurt or can bulk up physically because he's such a lovely player to watch on the ball. Really wasn't his night last night, he was quite rightly the first player to be substituted. Simon came on for him and did very well I thought.

As for Nemeth....wow! His first touch in particular was consistently breathtaking. He has that knack of knocking it perfectly into space and breaking away from the defender almost every time it comes near him. He was really good at holding the ball up too, which is something he seems to have added to his game in the last 12 months.

I would have no problem with him being on the bench for the Newcastle game, in fact Id fancy him to score if he came on as a sub against them.

Are Pacheco and Bruna really that much less physically imposing than the likes of Benayoun?

[Pablo]

Are Pacheco and Bruna really that much less physically imposing than the likes of Benayoun?

Yes. Pacheco more so than Bruna, who at least tried to get stuck in. I actually think Benayoun has a tenacity about him, which Pacheco clearly lacks. He reminds me of Smicer in that sense, weak and not able to show enough aggression.

They are only kids though so do have time to work on this, but no way either of them would thrive in the physicality of the premiership right now IMO.

As for Nemeth, they have some proper non league brutes at the back last night, so if he can mix it with them, he can mix it with the Prem big boys I think.

[dww]

Yes. Pacheco more so than Bruna, who at least tried to get stuck in. I actually think Benayoun has a tenacity about him, which Pacheco clearly lacks. He reminds me of Smicer in that sense, weak and not able to show enough aggression.

They are only kids though so do have time to work on this, but no way either of them would thrive in the physicality of the premiership right now IMO.

As for Nemeth, they have some proper non league brutes at the back last night, so if he can mix it with them, he can mix it with the Prem big boys I think.

I was more thinking in terms of raw physique. I think the only way that players will develop the right mentality is playing competitive games. I don't think the reserves do this at least not enough. I wonder whether Pacheco and Bruna wouldn't benefit most from a short loan to Spain where they would at least get a taste of being put under pressure.

The mentality thing is possibly a worry but I think experience is something that can help that with players willing to learn when they are young.

I'm not so sure that the brutishness of the lower leagues is always the right yardstick for ability to adapt to the PL. The thing about the PL is the speed combined with physicality a lot of players seem capable of handling one but not the other.

[Mike]

Glad to hear Nemeth was back to his best, he was poor for the past few matches and seemed to lose the ball wayyyy too much.

I have said it before, he is a real prospect, the injury ruined his chances of a bench place this season which is a shame, next season he will announce himself.

[Shanks]

That's a beautiful attacking lineup and just look at that bench!!

Full of English talent.

[Mattshark]

Full of English talent.

Then the English should get better at football and they could be on the bench.

[red g]

I was more thinking in terms of raw physique. I think the only way that players will develop the right mentality is playing competitive games. I don't think the reserves do this at least not enough. I wonder whether Pacheco and Bruna wouldn't benefit most from a short loan to Spain where they would at least get a taste of being put under pressure.

The mentality thing is possibly a worry but I think experience is something that can help that with players willing to learn when they are young.

I'm not so sure that the brutishness of the lower leagues is always the right yardstick for ability to adapt to the PL. The thing about the PL is the speed combined with physicality a lot of players seem capable of handling one but not the other.

did that link with almeria ever get confirmed? would be a good call if it did