Why oh why....

[red g]

Theres no chance of him starting against Utd, he hasnt played since March, has no pre season and only started running last week was it? Once he is back I'll be amazed if its anything other than cameo's from the bench for a while.

with desperate times come desperate measures !!

I think he could do an hour against the mancs and what a game to mark yr debut

[Molby]

United game is must win for us i feel.

They all are!!

Leagues are not won or lost in October - we have to believe we can be there come the run in - the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

[Craig_H]

They all are!!

Leagues are not won or lost in October - we have to believe we can be there come the run in - the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

They're not won in October, but they're easily lost. If we dont win at Sunderland, the gap most likely gonna be 8 or 9 points, which is massive.

In fact, lose any of the next 3 league games, and i think we're gone.

[Marky]

Sunderland is too.

Absolutely.Although i mean in terms of restoring a bit of belief and confidence that we're still up there fighting for the title. Beating our fiercest rivals and current champions at home would have us believing again.
It's a massive game.

[Craig_H]

Absolutely.Although i mean in terms of restoring a bit of belief and confidence that we're still up there fighting for the title. Beating our fiercest rivals and current champions at home would have us believing again.
It's a massive game.

Aye it is, but it's still only 3 points. If we're 7 behind them before we kickoff, then even beating them will leave us with a mountain to climb.

We must forget the manc game for now and focus everything on Sunderland, which is our biggest game of the season so far. We have absolutely no margin for error. Mancs and Arsenal have easy home games that day and Chelsea will go to Villa and win IMO. Sunderland is as big a 'must win' game as we've had in a good while.

[Leyton388]

Got to say Yossi deserved to play today. Should have played off Torres. Riera has been average.

[Craig_H]

Got to say Yossi deserved to play today. Should have played off Torres. Riera has been average.

Riera was probably picked for width, but he never had a go at the full back.

Yossi's been class for a good while and should really start every game.

[Bender]

was our best player so far this season, on the bench for our toughest game?

Benny made an immediate impact when he came on today, he's the only player we have who has the quality and technique to take any team on comfortably. It doesn't matter whose in front of him, the little lad will glide passed anyone and Rafa once again leaves him on the bench.

made the very point during the game

[Marky]

Riera was probably picked for width, but he never had a go at the full back.

Yossi's been class for a good while and should really start every game.

What do you think of Riera in general?
I hate to harp on but i just think our left side in extremely weak with Insua and Riera. Two very average footballers if you ask me.

[Craig_H]

What do you think of Riera in general?
I hate to harp on but i just think our left side in extremely weak with Insua and Riera. Two very average footballers if you ask me.

I'm not sure if it's a lack of confidence with Riera, or whether he's just not got the desire, but something hasnt been there. He hasnt got bags of pace, but he's capable of beating a man, putting decent balls into the box and even scoring the odd goal. He's not been delivering for a while though and on performances, he doesnt merit a place in the team. He needs to step it up big time and if he finds himself on the bench, it'll be really difficult for him to force his way into the Spain squad for the world cup. Unlike Insua, Riera doesnt have the 'just a kid' excuse.

He needs to want it far more than he's showing recently.

[Marky]

I'm not sure if it's a lack of confidence with Riera, or whether he's just not got the desire, but something hasnt been there. He hasnt got bags of pace, but he's capable of beating a man, putting decent balls into the box and even scoring the odd goal. He's not been delivering for a while though and on performances, he doesnt merit a place in the team. He needs to step it up big time and if he finds himself on the bench, it'll be really difficult for him to force his way into the Spain squad for the world cup. Unlike Insua, Riera doesnt have the 'just a kid' excuse.

He needs to want it far more than he's showing recently.

Yeah, some good points. It's not as if he's ****, in fact he's got great ability but like you say there just seems to be something that goes amiss in his all round play.
I think it was in the first half when he evidently pulled out of tackle in the centre of the pitch, not sure who the Chelsea player was. I was furious with him.

[Bender]

seems a few of the players are lacking confidence/desire?why maybe there's a few rumblings with the manager

[npinn001]

Agger will be the key. Carvalho was getting forward all game and it shows when you attack with numbers.

Agger will give us that central impetus.

[Chris]

LFCTV said Yossi had a knock.

Seemed ok when he come on, but then against a tiring defensive Chelsea with half hour left is a bit different to starting.

[el matador]

What do you think of Riera in general?
I hate to harp on but i just think our left side in extremely weak with Insua and Riera. Two very average footballers if you ask me.

i think his stats of 4 / 5 goals and 2 assists in the whole of last season tells its own story.

he is just a very average winger and certainly not a starter. We need someone better on the left and if rafa only has another £20m to spend this season it should be on silva.

We might laugh at lesser players from the league but players like etherington, krancjar might have been just as effective and a whole lot cheaper.