Would Gerrard & Owen be the players they are/were under Rafa?

[Chris]

Its a fair question in our circumstances. We have no money and will have to resort more to using our youth resources, but I have doubts whether or not Rafa is brave enough to try blooding a few of our most promising young players. I really do not believe that Gerrard or Owen would've played regularly until they were in their 20's, which they'd then have spent a season or two getting used to the men's game or they may have been loaned out.

Just smacks of another topic you're using to have yet another go at the manager. Its a completely pointless question. Who really cares?

When we've got another Owen or Gerrard in the youth team we'll find out the answer.

He's given Insua games since he was 17/18 and has played him all season at 20 (now 21) which is very young for a defender. Oh, and now being criticised for doing so, probably by the same people who were having a go at him for not playing Insua sooner when he was the new Roberto Carlos in waiting because people watched a few reserve games.

[elrichio86]

It's all very hypothetical mate don't you think?

It seems like inventing reasons to have a go at Rafa now. Surely he's made enough mistakes on his own...

Rafa seems to give the reserves the occasional start / sub appearance, which is all we can ask for really (for example Insua, Ngog, Kelly, Spearing, El Zhar, Pacheco). I feel confident to say if we had another Gerrard / Owen in the reserves that he would have played them, its just these sorts of players dont come around very often.

[Taxi]

If it's for debating something that we'll never be in a position to really know, what is the point of it?

Because what this debate will also encourage is discussion about the character of the manager and his record in bringing through youth players in what is a very tight financial period for us. Looking over his time with us, I see no evidence at all to say that Gerrard or Owen would've played for us that side of 21, which in my opinion would've hindered their development into the players they are.

[Exiled_red]

The thing is that people complained about Houllier's reticence to play young players but he was the one who put Gerrard into the team. He was the only one good enough to stand out in the crop of young players now.

Rafa has given Insua and Ngog decent amounts of game time and shown a willingness to have the likes of Kelly and Pacheco in the squad. I think that the basis of the argument that Rafa has shown himself unwilling to risk youth is untrue. In fact he has been taking a lot of stick for persevering with young players in the case of Insua and putting his faith in them as first line back ups in the case of Ngog. At the minute people want to see the bad sides of everything about Rafa.

Spot on

[banditos]

Its starting to turn into open season on Rafa by the look of things. Some people don't deserve to called themselves 'supporters'.

[Taxi]

Its starting to turn into open season on Rafa by the look of things. Some people don't deserve to called themselves 'supporters'.

I think I'm the least of his worries, he's doing most of the damge himself.

[red g]

I do think the one area Rafa is excelling on is the youth and reserves set up.

I am very excited to see some of these 15-18 yr olds come through

i am soo excited to see the array of attacking talent coming through.......jsut hope someone else is managing us

[elrichio86]

Whats the chance of a 24 hour Rafa-amnesty? No talk of Rafa's faults for a whole day?

Would make the LFC forum a bit quiet, and would give Craig and Taxi nothing to post about

[Taxi]

Just smacks of another topic you're using to have yet another go at the manager. Its a completely pointless question. Who really cares?

When we've got another Owen or Gerrard in the youth team we'll find out the answer.

He's given Insua games since he was 17/18 and has played him all season at 20 (now 21) which is very young for a defender. Oh, and now being criticised for doing so, probably by the same people who were having a go at him for not playing Insua sooner when he was the new Roberto Carlos in waiting because people watched a few reserve games.

Insua had a handful of chances over a 2 season period, but to be fair, anyone who sticks with him the way Rafa has must have some courage.

[Taxi]

Whats the chance of a 24 hour Rafa-amnesty? No talk of Rafa's faults for a whole day?

Would make the LFC forum a bit quiet, and would give Craig and Taxi nothing to post about

[PTP]

Whats the chance of a 24 hour Rafa-amnesty? No talk of Rafa's faults for a whole day?

Would make the LFC forum a bit quiet, and would give Craig and Taxi nothing to post about

it's not a bad idea - not just rafa though - how about a 24 hour negative post amnesty. if anyone fell foul of the rules we can ban them

[banditos]

Whats the chance of a 24 hour Rafa-amnesty? No talk of Rafa's faults for a whole day?

Would make the LFC forum a bit quiet, and would give Craig and Taxi nothing to post about

[Taxi]

it's not a bad idea - not just rafa though - how about a 24 hour negative post amnesty. if anyone fell foul of the rules we can ban them

Great, I can post in a PeteBest style for 24 hours.

[Taxi]

Ridiculous thread.

[Daniel 7]

Gerrard was never thrown straight into central mid, he did time on the right wing and even at right back. Owen was a completely different case, and looking back now, when he was breaking through (and between the ages of 18 + 21), they were clearly his peak years. You don't not play a top player in his peak. Especially when he could destroy teams with his pace. There's only really been a handful of players across the league in the last 10 - 15 years who have had the same impact as a new young player as Owen and Gerrard. Think Fabregas, Rooney, arguably Ashley Cole.

I reckon if we had anyone of that standard breaking through, they'd be in. The squad's not so strong that the management could ignore it!