THE Ryan Babel thread

[DannyMan2006]

As if Barry Kewell was better.

I don't think the laziness of Harry Kewell really comes into the argument. But if you are implying Ryan Babel is not the laziest footballer ever, then I'm sure you're right.

[Craig_H]

The game was over. There was nothing to fix. Why do you want players to look like they care? To make you feel better? It would be nice I admit, but I don't see the big deal.

Without knowing Ryan or working with him I can't say how he reacts to bad situations, whether he cares or whether he doesn't. All I can say is that if I was manager and I had a player who didn't care about how the club or himself did, he would be out the door. I'm hoping Rafa would do the same.

I've been to a funeral and seen people laugh and I can assure you they weren't laughing about a loved ones death. Other people there were silent, still in shock. Now if people can try and stay positive at funeral I'm damned sure they can do when a game of football goes up in smoke.

Right, so you're not fussed whether Liverpool players care about the fortunes of Liverpool FC? O....k. I would've thought it was obvious why i'd want LFC players to care. It's fairly closely related to levels of performance, wouldnt you say?

People at funerals arent usually in a unique employment position and arent usually required, because of their employment situation, to act accordingly.

We obviously feel differently about this, fair enough. I think you've got a burning desire to see Babel succeed, which is understandable, but i think it may be having effect on your judgement.

[Paul12]

There is no doubt that he has gone backward over the last couple of years. To me, he is now broadly similar to Cisse; a lot of speed, the ability to hit the ball hard, but poor close control, very one footed, and displaying little footballiung instinct and little appetite to work hard when the going gets tough. I think he has been sussed out.

Therefore, although I hope I am proved wrong, I think he will not make it.

[DannyMan2006]

Right, so you're not fussed whether Liverpool players care about the fortunes of Liverpool FC? O....k. I would've thought it was obvious why i'd want LFC players to care. It's fairly closely related to levels of performance, wouldnt you say?

People at funerals arent usually in a unique employment position and arent usually required, because of their employment situation, to act accordingly.

We obviously feel differently about this, fair enough. I think you've got a burning desire to see Babel succeed, which is understandable, but i think it may be having effect on your judgement.

I said "why do you want players to look like they care"

Not

"Why do you want players to care"

Very different statements. One matters totally, the other matters superficially. Like I said, I understand why you may be bothered by what he displayed, but I personally don't think it matters.

And I want all Liverpool players to succeed, as I'm sure do you. But the only people I show any preference too is players who come through the ranks, in particular the local lads as I want our club to establish a form of success on this part. I have no burning desire for Ryan or any other signing to succeed on a personal level other than what they would offer the club.

[Craig_H]

That's fair enough, but i dont think he was 'acting' like he didnt care, but really pissed off inside. He's not really clever enough to disguise things as well as that.

When i'm pissed off about a result, the last thing i want to see is a Liverpool player larking about and joking.

[Guest]

I don't think the laziness of Harry Kewell really comes into the argument. But if you are implying Ryan Babel is not the laziest footballer ever, then I'm sure you're right.

It was meant to 'Harv him up' a bit.

And yes, I don't think Ryan Babel is the 'laziest player that I've seen', as I'm not as dumb to state something like that.

I think he tries hard, but he's held back by his lack of game intelligence and I think he suffers from low confidence also. He should man up though, and start showing people why he's been bought for. He's living on borrowed times, judging by how restless some LFC supporters are.

[Craig_H]

People just dont want to see a non-performer playing game after game.

That's not being restless fredo.

[Roberto Bobbolino]

He's like Cisse without the heart.

[Guest]

People just dont want to see a non-performer playing game after game.

That's not being restless fredo.

I can understand that but I'm from the belief that no player is a robot, where you'd expect them to turn up and show off their talents straight away. A team game exists, therefore other players should come in and 'plug holes' whenever a player is performing badly, not saying that it should be something worth repeating.

I personally feel that Babel has talent but for one reason, he hasn't been able to display them on a regular basis. He's done it more than once coming as a sub and scoring goals, but when he's been on from the start, he doesn't seem to have the confidence needed to play well and his performances tend to deteriorate.

I don't think it's a lack of effort. He needs to have one big performance when he's on from the start, then hopefully his confidence will slowly get back.

It shouldn't be an excuse if he's a constant failure though, in that I agree.

[DannyMan2006]

That's fair enough, but i dont think he was 'acting' like he didnt care, but really pissed off inside. He's not really clever enough to disguise things as well as that.

When i'm pissed off about a result, the last thing i want to see is a Liverpool player larking about and joking.

I don't think it comes down to intelligence if he displays a happier emotion than most, i think that would be a natural reaction. And what you display is not always how you feel.

And I don't think it takes intelligence to mask your emotions and act like you care. I'm sure that is something that could be trained into anybody, even a child. So if LFC really wanted Babel could be trained to act upset every now and again. But I don't think it matters.

In fact, the only display of emotion that I have ever seen effect a teams performances was the polar opposite of Babel. The William Gallas sulk and cry after Arsenal threw points away at Birmingham is something that will live long in the memory. Now that does and did matter.

[DannyMan2006]

I don't think it's a lack of effort. He needs to have one big performance when he's on from the start, then hopefully his confidence will slowly get back.

It shouldn't be an excuse if he's a constant failure though, in that I agree.

Agree with what both you and Craig said there, it should not be an excuse. And he had an excellent performance when he started against Real Madrid at Anfield last season. He was probably dropped for the next game, think it was Man U away so that would be understandable but maybe doesn't help Babel.

My personal opinion is Babel needs to start showing potential, which I think IS there. But if he can't show it without a run of games then he doesn't suit Rafas methods and so SHOULD be sold.

There is no doubt he is in the last chance saloon, regardless of how he performs in training - which I'm led to believe is dazzling. As you said Fredo, Man up or get to ****.

[Harv]

As if Barry Kewell was better.

Kewell isn't lazy. I wish he was still here TBH. When fit he offered us a genuine football brain.

Babel wanders around like he doesn't know what to ****ing do out there sometimes.

[Harv]

It was meant to 'Harv him up' a bit.

And yes, I don't think Ryan Babel is the 'laziest player that I've seen', as I'm not as dumb to state something like that.

I think he tries hard, but he's held back by his lack of game intelligence and I think he suffers from low confidence also. He should man up though, and start showing people why he's been bought for. He's living on borrowed times, judging by how restless some LFC supporters are.

Harv him up???

'kin idiot

[Delinquent]

Bollocks.

I don't think the 'not try hard' comment is fair about Babel. He's maybe thick (there's a lot of people who are anyway) and is devoid of any footballing intelligence whatsoever but you can't fault him for not trying.

It just isn't happening for him and supporting him might be the best way to get him out of this rot.

He obviously has you fooled.

Ryan Babel reminds me of how I used to be at 10 o'clock on a cold Sunday morning, turning out for the under 12's. He displays the classic traits of someone who's attempting to look like he's trying, so he doesn't get a bollocking from the manager.

He chases players with no intention of putting his foot in; he pretends to challenge for high balls without getting close enough to actually compete for one; he spends long periods of games just hiding from the ball. He is the epitome of a 'token' effort.

It's clear he doesn't like the responsibility of protecting the full-back, but unfortunately for him, you have to take the rough with the smooth. Until he shows he has enough about him to actually play for this club, he'll never become a regular starter here, and certainly not in his favoured position as a striker.

For me, he's good against **** and/or tired teams. If he gets time and space on the ball, his poor decision-making is less of an issue. That's why he's only ever really effective as a substitute, or against cannon fodder in pre-season.

[squaddie]

He obviously has you fooled.

Ryan Babel reminds me of how I used to be at 10 o'clock on a cold Sunday morning, turning out for the under 12's. He displays the classic traits of someone who's attempting to look like he's trying, so he doesn't get a bollocking from the manager.

He chases players with no intention of putting his foot in; he pretends to challenge for high balls without getting close enough to actually compete for one; he spends long periods of games just hiding from the ball. He is the epitome of a 'token' effort.

It's clear he doesn't like the responsibility of protecting the full-back, but unfortunately for him, you have to take the rough with the smooth. Until he shows he has enough about him to actually play for this club, he'll never become a regular starter here, and certainly not in his favoured position as a striker.

For me, he's good against **** and/or tired teams. If he gets time and space on the ball, his poor decision-making is less of an issue. That's why he's only ever really effective as a substitute, or against cannon fodder in pre-season.

Spot on.

For me that farce of a rapping collaboration sums it up. A player who according to himself still isnt performing as well as he should be (for the last 2 ****in years!). Should surely be focusing on more important matters..... Like his job. In my opinion he's not fit to wear that red shirt.