Ayala and San Jose

[Rich]

I don't think you get many quality CBs at such a young age; you have to grow into the position. San Jose, Ayala, and Kelly might all become good CBs in their career, however at the moment I wouldn't rely on any of them to play CB in the league - where one mistake can cost you the match.

Send Ayala and San Jose either on loan or back to the reserves, and slowly blood Kelly in the easier position of RB, as understudy to Johnson, or emergency CB during a game if in dire straits.

Last thing we should be doing to taking risks in the league.

[redstaralex]

but my (not very clear) point was that I'm not so sure it is a big risk playing 2 of them together who know each others game and have played together for a while, any defence needs help in front (Mascherano) and behind (Reina) so although it might be a big news story I wouldn't give everything up if we started with them next week

[Rich]

So your point is that Ayala and San Jose should start next week at White Hart Lane if two of our three CBs are out injured?

Can't see that many people agreeing with you on that one!

[Mike]

The two of them were not good enough and were outclassed, Kelly looked comfortable on the other hand.

If ayala or SJ played against spurs next week we would get slaughtered imo as both of them are no good physically, pray to god agger and carra are fit for next week.

[Guest]

The two of them were not good enough and were outclassed, Kelly looked comfortable on the other hand.

If ayala or SJ played against spurs next week we would get slaughtered imo as both of them are no good physically, pray to god agger and carra are fit for next week.

They did well second half. First half we conceded the first goal because we were playing with 10 men and we were re-organizing in midfield. For the second goal, our midfield ****ed up.

All in all they are not perfect but they both did pretty well yesterday, especially Ayala, who didn't have a disastrous game. San Jose got skinned once for pace by Aguero but it was 5 mins after he came onto the field, so maybe that could have been the explanation.

Both needs to be worked on and given a chance.

[Mattshark]

The two of them were not good enough and were outclassed, Kelly looked comfortable on the other hand.

If ayala or SJ played against spurs next week we would get slaughtered imo as both of them are no good physically, pray to god agger and carra are fit for next week.

Kelly looked no different in play except when he was at RB.

[BigChief]

One thing that struck me about both these young CBs was their lack of strength. They couldn't shake the stronger forwards (Aguero is bloody strong) off the ball. That's a worry in the EPL where strength is very important. We badly missed Skrtel yesterday.

I created this (negative) thread so feel I should say something. When I saw Ayala next to an injured Carragher I feared for the worst. But if anything Ayala was the better defender against Stoke! Beattie was a lost soul and Fuller/Shawcross didn't get their heads anywhere near the ball when Ayala was next to them.

Carra almost let Ayala get on with the heading from defence and quietly marshalled the troops. He's still to be tested and may get beaten for pace, but if this is the real Ayala then I apologise to him unreservedly. More performances like this and any youthful mistakes he does make will be easily forgiven.

[DannyMan2006]

I created this (negative) thread so feel I should say something. When I saw Ayala next to an injured Carragher I feared for the worst. But if anything Ayala was the better defender against Stoke! Beattie was a lost soul and Fuller/Shawcross didn't get their heads anywhere near the ball when Ayala was next to them.

Carra almost let Ayala get on with the heading from defence and quietly marshalled the troops. He's still to be tested and may get beaten for pace, but if this is the real Ayala then I apologise to him unreservedly. More performances like this and any youthful mistakes he does make will be easily forgiven.

Well done for saying that

Personally I still don't think Ayala is ready, but that is why we are signing a defender. He looked very nervous in possession but on the flip side adopted a safety first style of defending and it served him well. He stuck to the basics and tried nothing fancy. Impresseive was how he slotted into the back line and was well marshalled as ever by Carra and also helped out by Insua.

This experience will hold him in good stead and as he bulks up he may well end up becoming a very capable defender. He has time on his side.

[James P]

He looked very nervous in possession but on the flip side adopted a safety first style of defending and it served him well. He stuck to the basics and tried nothing fancy.

As Hansen says - don't mess about, just stick it in Row Z.

[The Birdman]

Hasn't San Jose gone out on loan for the season to Spain??
If so then we can't lose as he's a spanish u21 international, will gain more experience there than here in the reserves and the better he does the bigger the price should Rafa decide to sell him on.
I think we got away with it a little bit with Ayala against Stoke because no-one knew he was playing until the team was announced, if he plays against Villa it will be a far tougher test because they would have had time to prepare to target him

[Tee]

The more games the more confidence they will get - look how comfortable Insua looks now on the left. Didn't see all the game yesterday but well done Ayala - clean sheet on a potentially very testing debut for a young player.

[Mattshark]

Hasn't San Jose gone out on loan for the season to Spain??
If so then we can't lose as he's a spanish u21 international, will gain more experience there than here in the reserves and the better he does the bigger the price should Rafa decide to sell him on.
I think we got away with it a little bit with Ayala against Stoke because no-one knew he was playing until the team was announced, if he plays against Villa it will be a far tougher test because they would have had time to prepare to target him

I think Kyrgiakos will be more likely to play that one.

[memzey]

Won't Skrtel be back in time?

[-V-]

Hopefully more good to come from Ayala. I think it makes a massive difference when young talented players get to make the step up and play alongside top class talent. This is why I feel Pacheco and Nemeth could be ready for some 1st team action too. They would both benefit from playing alongside quality. Pachecho especially has impressed me this pre-season. His tricks and skill would work best if linking up with quality players

[DannyMan2006]

Won't Skrtel be back in time?

Out for two weeks I believe. They only said late decision to try and pull a fast one on Stoke so they couldn't be sure on who was starting for us. That's the impression I got after hearing what Skrtels agent had to say.