Torres

[billy_mac]

He needs to get it together. He's starting to remind me of a certain portuguese winger with all the chat and the arm waving. Yes he is getting fouled and yes he is getting his shirt ripped but the best way to react is by doing nothing and getting on with scoring. He's no where near up to scratch in his general play yet, but its a measure of how good is positioning is that he has 2 goals in 3 games when being at best average. He was to blame for the second goal last night, he didn't fancy putting in the header to challenge and pulled out. Same almost happened against spurs and other teams will be sure to have noted the situation. He shouldn't be in that position anyway, he should be at the half way line keeping the other team honest waiting for the break. I don't know how many times Reina ran to the edge of the box looking for Torres on the break only to pull up as there was no quick ball as nobody was up. Which is pretty funny considering what Rafa said about Reina and Torres being a good partnership before the game. I think Torres is being asked to way too much. He's one of the worlds deadliest strikers that is isolated up front on his own and is asked to come back for set plays. No wonder he is tired or getting injuries, he does more running to defend set plays than most midfielders do in general play. Oppositions leave at least 2 back, surely 9 men is enough to cope against 8? Torres is a striker, he should be left to be a striker and no more. He's doing the work of 2 men as it is, surely that is enough.

[-V-]

2 goals from 3 games means he is clearly doing his job.

Problem is we expect too much from him because we have no other good striker. Last night our Central midfield was too deep throughout the game and constantly passed the ball backwards, this left Torres completely isolated at times, he always had 3 or 4 Villa players round him.

He still scored though. No complaints from me, he is scoring goals

[Guest]

And running down blind alleys and slowing down our game. We are over reliant on him, that is why buying another world class striker to provide competition is a must in the long term. He's clearly not 100% match fit and certainly won't be able to keep up his high standards games in games out.

[tomasjj]

he could do well with not trying to beat the whole team every time he gets the ball

lay it off, make a run, play a one two

[Marky]

I dont think there's anything to worry about with the lad and his complaining on the pitch etc, he's a winner and gets frustrated
when things aren't working out.
I remember he was throwing tantrums all over the place at the Stadium of Light 1st game of last season before he smashed in the winner late on.
If we'd got off to a solid start, say 7 points out of 9 i don't think it would be an issue tbh.

[Reece]

he could do well with not trying to beat the whole team every time he gets the ball

lay it off, make a run, play a one two

Agreed.

[Marky]

And running down blind alleys and slowing down our game. We are over reliant on him, that is why buying another world class striker to provide competition is a must in the long term. He's clearly not 100% match fit and certainly won't be able to keep up his high standards games in games out.

I agree, he's a class act and we're ever so lucky to have him but when he drops deep for the ball he's not as his best.
He isn't the most gifted of players in terms of bringing the ball down and taking a player on, he's silky in his own way but not silky in other parts of his play.

[cream]

Torres needs to focus on what he does best, putting the ball in the back of the net.

[Roberto Bobbolino]

Treading water last night. He's at his best when we're more direct and move the ball quickly. He's a natural goalscorer but his all round game needs a big improvment. The ball was bouncing off him.

[red g]

Torres needs to focus on what he does best, putting the ball in the back of the net.

he is on course to score 25 goals this season in the league at his current scoring rate and we are playing ****, what more do you want?

[Marky]

Torres needs to focus on what he does best, putting the ball in the back of the net.

He's scored 2 in 3 games ffs.
What he needs is some help up there, can we not bring in Gudjohnson or someone? Anyone to ease the pressure on Torres.
Surely we'll bring in another forward.

[PTP]

He has scored two in three and considering how we have played in two games thats not bad


I don't blame him for getting a bit pissed off - he has been isolated, feeding off scraps, and getting kicked. He is frustrated to **** - he needs some help - he isn't the only one though - the whole team seems a bit flat and down - there is no real bounce at the moment - hopefully aquilani gets fit quick and gets the ticking.

[the rev leeroy brown]

He's scored 2 in 3 games ffs.
What he needs is some help up there, can we not bring in Gudjohnson or someone? Anyone to ease the pressure on Torres.
Surely we'll bring in another forward.

we wont sign anyone new before the end of the window. only a few days ago rafa turned down a loan deal then a 3-4 mill offer from hertha for voronin. their chief exec saya he was told voronin is a main player for us this year and not for sale.

[billy_mac]

I don't think he needs help up front. He just needs to be used correctly by management.

[DannyMan2006]

He is not match fit as I have been saying since the Spurs game.

He is going to look sluggish and out of touch. Had the team been performing well it wouldn't have been so noticable, but with him getting isolated it becomes painfully obvious. His sharpness will improve though and I'm not worried as fitness will come with time.

It's his lack of support that is the real issue with the team and whether or not this gets addressed is another matter.