'I'd like to take on men' - Babel

[wavydavy]

A player like Babel will never excel under a manager like Rafa, which is a shame seeing the lad, for all his flaws, does have a lot of raw potential.

If I was Ryan and Rafa didn't leave in the summer I'd **** off to a side that plays attacking football.

Bet he would flourish under Wenger.

Spot on. RB's a total control freak. He hates not knowing what his players are gonna do next. You only have to look at his favourites to see this and at his constant motioning and gesturing to the players from the touchline. I think Riera was the nearest thing to a flair player you'll ever see at the club while he's in charge. It makes me wonder how Aimar played so well under him at Valencia.

[Shaggy]

Spot on. RB's a total control freak. He hates not knowing what his players are gonna do next. You only have to look at his favourites to see this and at his constant motioning and gesturing to the players from the touchline. I think Riera was the nearest thing to a flair player you'll ever see at the club while he's in charge.

Garcia? Benayoun? Pacheco?

And I agree with The Weatherman - Babel is in no way a flair player. He can run fast and kick it really hard. That does not make a flair player.

[Helios Creed]

Garcia? Benayoun? Pacheco?

And I agree with The Weatherman - Babel is in no way a flair player. He can run fast and kick it really hard. That does not make a flair player.

Hmmm.

Oi Babel! Run fast and kick it really hard!

That should do the trick.

[leftpeg]

even my grand mother knows hes going to cut in from the left!

and dash towards two waiting defenders so that he can give them their ball back.

[Exiled_red]

IMO Babel doesn't really count as a flair player, he is fast and has a good shot on him but that's it. He is predictable and doesn't have a good touch nor an eye for a creative pass. Sure he should play more on occasions but a flair player he is not, by my reckoning.

Garcia? Benayoun? Pacheco?

And I agree with The Weatherman - Babel is in no way a flair player. He can run fast and kick it really hard. That does not make a flair player.

What he is though is a direct player and we don't have enough of them

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Really stepped up his game, work rate has improved now prove the doubters (including me) wrong

[reds123]

Logic says that Babel should have played on the left vs the 100 year old Gary Neville. But Babel has a weakness, he doesn't know how to defend properly

[Norbs]

Garcia? Benayoun? Pacheco?

And I agree with The Weatherman - Babel is in no way a flair player. He can run fast and kick it really hard. That does not make a flair player.

He's prone to taking on one too many defenders, and usually ends up losing the ball. Seen it many times with players who honestly think they're one grade above their real ability. His dribbling is akin to Baros, IMO. If he sped in to space and delivered a killer pass then he'd be a cracking player, instead he's a glory hunter looking to emulate Ricky Villa at every opportunity

[Matt]

he needs some trickery in the package or nothings going to change. even my grand mother knows hes going to cut in from the left!

It's a fair point and I've often wondered why he hasn't been tried more on the right.

At least now we're up **** creek we might see a bit more of an attack-minded approach.

[ronanm]

He's clearly seen the light.

I think he has - there's nothing like a World Cup place to get the fires burning.

[kingfunk]

I was climbing a mountain today! So i didnt see the full match, just the highlights on MOTM2.
Just wondering how babel done today? looked like he made some good movement and passes on the highlights? I would love if he could fulfill some of his potential, as it would save us looking for a left winger during the summer. He seems to be getting a bit better after a decent run in the team........still carries the CAUTION tag though...... I know I know Iv said before he will never become a right player but JEEEZ he does show he is capible at times, very flustrating!

[Shaggy]

He had a good first half and a rubbish second half.

[Tee]

Any offer near the 10m mark and we should let him go. He will never be consistent enough for where this club wants to be. I am starting to really dislike his attitude and manner on the pitch as well.

[the rev leeroy brown]

was a constant threat again yesterday. even once torres / ste and kyut went off he still was a potent threat. great to see him play so well. if he can keep the head screwed on and is given a good sustained run in the team then next year we'll see him flourish.

[Shaggy]

Bloody hell

Did you enjoy all those many times when he ran straight into Sunderland players like a blind man in a blindfold wearing clown shoes? And those couple of times when he cut inside, had no idea what to do with it, and did a sort of nonchalant flick with his right foot, flicking the ball inside directly to a Sunderland player without a Red shirt in sight?!