Rafa's Message For Frustrated Stars

[lackyboy]

From the Official:

Rafael Benitez today urged Ryan Babel and Albert Riera to do their talking on the pitch after both players expressed frustration over a lack of first team opportunities so far this season.
Babel has revealed he would be interested in a loan move to Ajax when the transfer window reopens in January, while Riera made only his first start of the campaign at Bolton last weekend.

Benitez insists both players will get chances to shine over the coming months - and that it will then be down to them to seize the opportunities which come their way.

"Albert and Ryan both want to play," said Benitez. "They play in the same position and so have to compete with each other, which is good for us.

"The message is very simple. On the pitch all of the players have to prove something.

"Ryan knows he cannot go now, so he has to impress. He is a good player and we know he has talent. It's important for us to talk with him and see how he progresses over these months.

"With the World Cup at the end of the year the majority of our players will want to impress and if they do well in each training session they will have more chances."

[paulc]

Rafael Benitez today urged Ryan Babel and Albert Riera to do their talking on the pitch after both players expressed frustration over a lack of first team opportunities so far this season.
Babel has revealed he would be interested in a loan move to Ajax when the transfer window reopens in January, while Riera made only his first start of the campaign at Bolton last weekend.

Benitez insists both players will get chances to shine over the coming months - and that it will then be down to them to seize the opportunities which come their way.

"Albert and Ryan both want to play," said Benitez. "They play in the same position and so have to compete with each other, which is good for us.

"The message is very simple. On the pitch all of the players have to prove something.

"Ryan knows he cannot go now, so he has to impress. He is a good player and we know he has talent. It's important for us to talk with him and see how he progresses over these months.

"With the World Cup at the end of the year the majority of our players will want to impress and if they do well in each training session they will have more chances."

Stars?

[johnly]

Riera has just got back from injury hasn't he? So he can't moan. Babel just needs to pull his finger out and actual follow up on this promise he has previously shown. I want Babel to succeed, I think he's really got the talent and what it takes to be a star in this league. He really, really needs to cut the moaning and prove it to Rafa and us why he should be a starter

[Elrond]

Riera really didn't have a moan. He praised Rafa in the same article as a fantastic manager so I didn't really see a problem with that. I thought he had a good game against Bolton, wouldn't be surprised if he gets a little more of an extended run in the side now.

Babel on the other hand is a whining bitch. He gets given opportunities yet never takes them. The only games that I can think of where he actually has made an impact are the games in which he has come from the bench. He looks clueless when on the pitch. He has all the attributes to be a good player except the most important, a brain.

It's a tough choice for me between playing Yossi or Riera on the left. I'd even like to see Gerrard drop back in place of Lucas with Yossi playing off Torres, he's got the intelligence and skills to be the link between our attack and defence.

[EwarWoo]

It's a tough choice for me between playing Yossi or Riera on the left. I'd even like to see Gerrard drop back in place of Lucas with Yossi playing off Torres, he's got the intelligence and skills to be the link between our attack and defence.

Would really like to see that given a good try out as a combination until Aquilani is back and fit.

[Fan65]

I thought Riera played really well on the left last year, his start to this season has been slow due to lack of fitness & injury but now that's sorted he's got to be number one choice on the left with Babel there as sub and young pretender.

With Aurelio/Reira on the left and Kuyt/Johnson on the right the balance of attack will be better than it has been for some time.

Not forgetting Insua of course who will give Aurelio a run for his money.

[Parm]

lets hope they buck up thei ideas and listen to Rafa