The Alberto Aquilani Show

[-V-]

5 Premier League STARTS, 5 wins, 11 goals scored and only 1 conceded


His performance last night was absolutely immense. This is exactly why iv been begging for Rafa to just play him! 1 player in the most important area of the pitch can change the whole dynamics of a team. He was outstanding last night, he was everywhere, he had pace, he had movement, he had vision, he had a beautiful range of passing and he ran the ****ing show.

With Babel, Aquilani and Johnson added to the team we had the pace and movement to hurt anybody and everybody. Soon as we saw the team-sheet it was clear as day that Rafa had got it right. We went from being a slow team obsessed with playing carefully to an aggressive team with a fast tempo and a desire to get forward and score goals.

Aquilani though, absolutely awesome. I mean he was literally popping up everywhere! Playing one-twos on the right then going across field playing one-two's there and in the same move finding his way into the middle of the box to try to score. He was starting moves, creating space and trying to finish moves. Makes you wonder why such a talent has been sitting on the bench for so long instead of starting. Him and Babel have to be 1st choice now, its an absolute must

Aquilani

[Tee]

Funny thing is Aqua and Babel will make way (IMO) for Lucas and Kuyt, probably on Sunday at OT.

[Chrono]

No doubt about it.

[Craig_H]

I can see why he'd play Lucas and Kuyt at OT, keep it tight and compact, and stop them playing. No problem.

It's when we do it at ****ing Wolves and Wigan, that i despair.

Aquilani was excellent last night, a sign of things to come.

[Shaggy]

He ****s himself when people get in his face and last night he had all the time in the world against the worst team in the league. No-one got close to him and he had all the time and space in the world. He has it all to prove, one very good game against total dross doesn't really change anything, but I'd love him to get the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong. He should start on Thursday.

[dww]

Max: No doubt about the fact that Babel and Aquilani should be first choice or that Kuyt and Lucas will start against United?

I think we should still go horses for courses - Lucas and Mascherano were great against United last time we played. The attacking midfield slots are much more debatable.

It is pleasing that Aquilani and Babel are beginning to show something. I still think that Aquilani's record is enhanced by the level of opposition he has faced in those starts. That said I think both of them short be nailed on for the Lille game.

[dww]

He ****s himself when people get in his face and last night he had all the time in the world against the worst team in the league. No-one got close to him and he had all the time and space in the world. He has it all to prove, one very good game against total dross doesn't really change anything, but I'd love him to get the opportunity to prove his doubters wrong. He should start on Thursday.

I always find him a bit odd in terms of the fact that he does often **** himself when under pressure but then a moment later he will fight hard for the ball or squeeze out a pass when seemingly surrounded. I think in lots of ways he still looks a bit like a player lacking confidence in his body after a long injury making those aspects of his game no surprise on some levels.

Agree he still has a lot to prove.

[-V-]

He ****s himself when people get in his face and last night he had all the time in the world against the worst team in the league.

I always find him a bit odd in terms of the fact that he does often **** himself when under pressure but then a moment later he will fight hard for the ball or squeeze out a pass when seemingly surrounded. I think in lots of ways he still looks a bit like a player lacking confidence in his body after a long injury making those aspects of his game no surprise on some levels.
Agree he still has a lot to prove.

He's new to this league and the physical nature of it is totally different to what he's been used to. But like dww said, if he loses the ball when tackled he doesn't just give up. He fights to win it back, on quite a few occasions iv seen him on the floor seemingly lost possession and he would just throw himself at the ball or start swinging his legs at the ball to get it back. He's a fighter and you can't argue with the fact that we have won every single game he has started. Its not his fault he's had all those pointless little cameo sub appearances.

Last night he looked like a player that had been dominating the premier division for the past 5 years

[Shaggy]

Last night he looked like a player that had been dominating the premier division for the past 5 years

I think that is way way OTT and it seems a lot of people are getting extremely over-excited. If he can manage that sort of level against the top sides then I'll be excited. Until then he still has a lot to prove, one good performances against the worst team in the league doesn't change too much.

Still, very encouraging and more of the same on Thursday night please.

[cream]

Max: No doubt about the fact that Babel and Aquilani should be first choice or that Kuyt and Lucas will start against United?

I think we should still go horses for courses - Lucas and Mascherano were great against United last time we played. The attacking midfield slots are much more debatable.

It is pleasing that Aquilani and Babel are beginning to show something. I still think that Aquilani's record is enhanced by the level of opposition he has faced in those starts. That said I think both of them short be nailed on for the Lille game.

Gerrard and Kuyt are nailed on with the third slot a toss up between Babel, Yossi, Maxi and Riera. Would like to see Babel but have a feeling he might pick Maxi.

[Craig_H]

I think that is way way OTT and it seems a lot of people are getting extremely over-excited. If he can manage that sort of level against the top sides then I'll be excited. Until then he still has a lot to prove, one good performances against the worst team in the league doesn't change too much.

Still, very encouraging and more of the same on Thursday night please.

More OTT than the way some people make Lucas out to be a great midfield enforcer and must-have inclusion in every first eleven?

[Exiled_red]

He was immence last night and showed what we hoped we'd see from him all season, obviously injuries and fitness issues have hampered his season. I think the 5 starts, 5 wins (although correct) implies his contribution has been more significant than it actually has, given that last night was the first game he really did well in. I'd like to believe that yesterday was the level he would have been at previously if he were fit, but we have to take into account the quality of the opposition and the fact he was given more space yesterday than he would be given in 90% of premiership matches.

We shouldn't just assume that one performance means he a great player just yet, he still has alot to prove. I also feel he may take a while to get used to the physical nature of the English game and being denied time on the ball (just like Alonso had to). Having said that hopefully his confidence will be up and he can put in another good performance on thursday. Although I have a feeling Rafa will go for Lucas on sunday...

[Exiled_red]

I think that is way way OTT and it seems a lot of people are getting extremely over-excited. If he can manage that sort of level against the top sides then I'll be excited. Until then he still has a lot to prove, one good performances against the worst team in the league doesn't change too much.

Still, very encouraging and more of the same on Thursday night please.

[Taxi]

I can see why he'd play Lucas and Kuyt at OT, keep it tight and compact, and stop them playing. No problem.

It's when we do it at ****ing Wolves and Wigan, that i despair.

Aquilani was excellent last night, a sign of things to come.

Normally I'd agree with this but the form they're in at the moment, I think sitting back deeper (as we will if playing those 2) will only encourage Man U to attack and it will only be a matter of time before we concede.

[Exiled_red]

Normally I'd agree with this but the form they're in at the moment, I think sitting back deeper (as we will if playing those 2) will only encourage Man U to attack and it will only be a matter of time before we concede.

While I agree with your point, I can see Rafa deciding that Aquilani won't be able to play 3 games in a week. IMO if he starts on Thursday he won't start on Sunday.