Babel to Come Good?

[JohnDoe]

Would be way way better on the right wing imo, but that position is untouchable right now, unless Kuyt gets injured which does not happen very often, I think we have the right side sorted now with GJ and Kuyt. so I agree that back up for Torres is best. but will it be good enough for him is the question??

On the few times Rafa tried Babel on the right, it was terrible. He just took the ball, head down, and started running into blind alleys. Didn't even have the option of cutting in and posing some sort of threat. And his crossing is **** too.

His future is up front, IMO.

[kingfunk]

On the few times Rafa tried Babel on the right, it was terrible. He just took the ball, head down, and started running into blind alleys. Didn't even have the option of cutting in and posing some sort of threat. And his crossing is **** too.

His future is up front, IMO.

The reason I said it was I always believed that a right footed winger is mostly better played on the right. He has said many times himself that his prefered position is as a striker, thats not easy when you have Gerrard and Torres fit. I dont think he is going to be happy with playing off the bench again this year, if he is going to get lots of starts this term i cant see where he is going to play. But these are good problems to have, not too long ago we didnt have the option of decient back up. so its all good!

[BrianF80]

Hopefully he can realise his potential this season.

It's not reall like Rafa to hand out individual praise, so he must have spotted some improvement in him during the training sessions.

Unfortunately, I don't think so. Rafa said that after Babel was asked a question about would he be better than last year and the answer was so devoid of self-belief I actually winced. Rafa stepped in with an attempted self-esteem boost.

Babel's convinced he won't succeed here IMO.

[BigChief]

I agree he's not half the player Henry is or was at the same stage in his career, but just to be clear on the point I was making - The comparison was not between the two of them as players in any way, rather it was between LFC and Juve as selling clubs. Juve saw a player that failed to make it in their team, going on to prove he was better then they thought elsewhere. I think if we get rid of Babel he could do the same to us.

Fair enough, not worth debating over the semantics. But if we were to let Babel go I don't think he would blossom into a world class player. Maybe a useful impact addition to any team, but no more.

[BigChief]

I also think he should be converted as a front man. He's strong enough to hold the ball up and he's got a good goalscoring record. He needs to develop his game intelligence and awareness though if he's to become a top class striker, and he doesn't seem to be learning too much on that front.

You've just described N'gog to a tee (except he hasn't had game-playing time to build up the goalscoring bit yet). If we were to choose between the two, I'd take N'gog who has demonstrated better awareness and control already.

[ric.williams]

I also think he should be converted as a front man. He's strong enough to hold the ball up and he's got a good goalscoring record. He needs to develop his game intelligence and awareness though if he's to become a top class striker, and he doesn't seem to be learning too much on that front.

im a big critic of him but have always thought he has played better in his limited chances upfront. i say he deserves a chance as torres backup

[ric.williams]

Would be way way better on the right wing imo, but that position is untouchable right now, unless Kuyt gets injured which does not happen very often, I think we have the right side sorted now with GJ and Kuyt. so I agree that back up for Torres is best. but will it be good enough for him is the question??

kuyt has made that position his, love the guy. if he was injured (unlikely he appears to be iron man) there is more chance of glen playin there than babel havin a shot

[DannyMan2006]

If Babel find his feet this season he will be the single biggest difference to our team this season. The guy has immense talent but needs to start showing some sort of application.

I agree with the poster who stated that the olympics were a huge set back for Ryan last year, as it was also for Mascher, who only discovered any sort of form towards the final months of the season. At the end of his first year big things were expected of Ryan last year, and he simply didn't perform for a number of reasons.

But we must not forget the huge talent he has shown on occasion. I agreed with an article by Andy Gray at the start of last year where he waxed lyrical about Babel and really expected him to step up.

Potential does not dissappear over night. He may yet fulfil it at Anfield.

[red g]

If Babel find his feet this season he will be the single biggest difference to our team this season. The guy has immense talent but needs to start showing some sort of application.

I agree with the poster who stated that the olympics were a huge set back for Ryan last year, as it was also for Mascher, who only discovered any sort of form towards the final months of the season. At the end of his first year big things were expected of Ryan last year, and he simply didn't perform for a number of reasons.

But we must not forget the huge talent he has shown on occasion. I agreed with an article by Andy Gray at the start of last year where he waxed lyrical about Babel and really expected him to step up.

Potential does not dissappear over night. He may yet fulfil it at Anfield.

needs to find his footballing brain as well as feet.