Riera

[dww]

Very decent second choice but we need something more from a regular starter.

I find it strange that so many people seem convinced that he has nothing more to offer than he has produced this season. To my mind on occasion he has been unplayable and offered a great deal of balance to the team even when off form. I understand that people feel that once a player gets over 23 he will never develop but looking at how Benayoun blossomed in the second half of this season gives an example of the way that players can grow into their role.

I think we need added competition and differing styles for both wings next season (or Babel to turn into the player who frequents the dreams of most people here abouts) but I'm not completely convinced that improvements from players already in the squad couldn't pretty much bridge the gap between us and United.

[Red_Polo]

I find it strange that so many people seem convinced that he has nothing more to offer than he has produced this season. To my mind on occasion he has been unplayable and offered a great deal of balance to the team even when off form. I understand that people feel that once a player gets over 23 he will never develop but looking at how Benayoun blossomed in the second half of this season gives an example of the way that players can grow into their role.

I think we need added competition and differing styles for both wings next season (or Babel to turn into the player who frequents the dreams of most people here abouts) but I'm not completely convinced that improvements from players already in the squad couldn't pretty much bridge the gap between us and United.

Maybe he will offer more and maybe he will offer less, but I think it's clear we need more than what he has offered so far from a 1st choice player and as the least effective of our front four this season and, like you say, a player lacking competition, I think his has to be one of the first positions we look to make a signing in.

[Craig_H]

I agree with Polo and i certainly dont want Riera sold.

I think he's good enough to play a part, but maybe not always 1st choice.

I'd like to see a more 'dynamic' type of winger who is more direct and offers more goal threat. Having said that, there's a place for what Riera offers too, and i'd like to have both options to choose from.

[Neil Young]

I'd like more options too. That's not the same as saying Riera "isn't really good enough," just that a good squad can be combined in different ways to play differently with different tactics against different opponents with different players able to do different jobs.

I hope the difference is clear.

[Craig_H]

It's clear yes. If AA thinks Riera isnt good enough though, he has the right to think so and express that viewpoint, without the usual 'go and support someone else' style of reply, that's all.

I would keep Riera and try to bring in another type of left winger too. Riera's style of play certainly has its merits and will be useful to us at certain times.

[Neil Young]

What if it's actually not about a single game, and AA just simply doesnt rate Riera that highly?

AD can think what he likes but what's the case against? Has he said anything more than "we haven't won the league and Riera has been in the team so..."?

[Craig_H]

AD can think what he likes but what's the case against? Has he said anything more than "we haven't won the league and Riera has been in the team so..."?

I'd agree that he hasnt exactly reasoned it on here as well as he might've done.

If someone doesnt rate Riera though, i think most of us could probably guess as to what aspects of his game are under scrutiny. I certainly dont think AA thinks it's down to us not winning the league, though

Possible cases against him:

Not quick enough
Sometimes comes too far inside and loses the team's balance
Doesnt beat his man and get to the byline enough
Doesnt score enough goals
Tends to drift out of games

Goes without saying that there's positive aspects to his game as well.

[Neil Young]

It's clear yes. If AA thinks Riera isnt good enough though, he has the right to think so and express that viewpoint, without the usual 'go and support someone else' style of reply, that's all.

I would keep Riera and try to bring in another type of left winger too. Riera's style of play certainly has its merits and will be useful to us at certain times.

I agree about the 'go and support someone else' stuff.

What's the point in just saying it though? If AD (or anyone else) wants to discuss something then OK, discuss it (notwithstanding my sig), but just baldly stating so-and-so isn't good enough is pointless, especially if said player hasn't just cost us a point or three. Unless of course AD just wants to vent his frustrations about watching Riera play and/or not winning the league, in which case it might make him feel better to get it off his chest but, assuming I haven't been wildly misled, that isn't really the point of the board.


EDIT

I'd agree that he hasnt exactly reasoned it on here as well as he might've done.

If someone doesnt rate Riera though, i think most of us could probably guess as to what aspects of his game are under scrutiny. I certainly dont think AA thinks it's down to us not winning the league, though

Possible cases against him:

Not quick enough
Sometimes comes too far inside and loses the team's balance
Doesnt beat his man and get to the byline enough
Doesnt score enough goals
Tends to drift out of games

Goes without saying that there's positive aspects to his game as well.

Yes, I can see those points. As you say though the good points also need to be taken into account and the fact is we've come pretty close to winning the league, despite the terrible handicap of having Riera in the side.

[cream]

We will definately be looking at improving our left side this summer. Babel and Doss will be sold to make way for a first choice winger. Our left side will probably look something like this:

New winger
Riera

Aurelio
Insua

Barry filling in whenever required.

[Craig_H]

Cream in subtle 'Barry will join' hint

[BFG]

Craig in direct 'reading too much into it' assertion.

[Craig_H]

With anyone else, you'd be right. But cream has form

[BFG]

Gaz Baz would be a good addition.

[Roboklopp]

Good squad player. Of course we'd like a step up, but on the ehole I think he's done pretty well this season.

[Guest]

Joe King and AnfieldArse aren't good enough.