Xabi...

[Parm]

it's clear 3 into 2 is not working..time to give Xabi a break and get Stevie back in the middle. Xabi, more than Stevie seems to be in a daze at the moment. His passing was appalling today.

[bazza76]

it's clear 3 into 2 is not working..time to give Xabi a break and get Stevie back in the middle. Xabi, more than Stevie seems to be in a daze at the moment. His passing was appalling today.

Just said that in anohter post.
Of all our players so far this seaosn xabi has dissapointed me most, when his passing is not on song, he offers little, and his passing has been muck this season, just hope he isnt unsettled or somehting like that.
Would i rest him and play Stevie Central?. Maybe for a game or two i dont think it would be such a bad idea.

[Parm]

indeed, Xabi does not dictate a game the way Stevie does, when his passing is off he does not set the tempo and is not a tigerish tackler or much of a goal threat. It does beg the question as to why a player who is so off form and offering so little at the moment is still first choice.

[Shaggy]

Agreed that we should perhaps go with a totally out of form Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle, but who the **** plays on the right? Pennant? We'd be better off with me there. He's miles away from being good enough to play for us. Garcia? No way.

We've got massive problems and it's very, very depressing.

[bazza76]

indeed, Xabi does not dictate a game the way Stevie does, when his passing is off he does not set the tempo and is not a tigerish tackler or much of a goal threat. It does beg the question as to why a player who is so off form and offering so little at the moment is still first choice.

I guess its because Rafa knows what he is capable of, and is thinking with games his form will turn around. Passing is a major major tool in Rafas tactics so he can utilise his possibilities. Thats the reason he is in the side IMO.

[bazza76]

Agreed that we should perhaps go with a totally out of form Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle, but who the **** plays on the right? Pennant? We'd be better off with me there. He's miles away from being good enough to play for us. Garcia? No way.

We've got massive problems and it's very, very depressing.

Id give Anderson a shout on the bench, if Pennant isnt peforming in a game, give the lad a chance.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

it's clear 3 into 2 is not working..time to give Xabi a break and get Stevie back in the middle. Xabi, more than Stevie seems to be in a daze at the moment. His passing was appalling today.

Yeah but who plays on the right then?

Pennant?

**** off.

It just shows that beyond our best 9 or 10 players the squad is rubbish.

The signing of Pennant has been a disaster thus far.

Bellamy isn't good enough either.

Rafa should've pushed the boat out for Alves and left the mediocre players at their previous mediocre clubs.

I can't wait for us to sell them already.

[Shaggy]

Our squad if anything is too big - certainly full of too many players who aren't good enough.

[Parm]

Yeah but who plays on the right then?

Pennant?

**** off.

It just shows that beyond our best 9 or 10 players the squad is rubbish.

The signing of Pennant has been a disaster thus far.

Bellamy isn't good enough either.

Rafa should've pushed the boat out for Alves and left the mediocre players at their previous mediocre clubs.

I can't wait for us to sell them already.

true in hindsight we should have pushed the boat out for Alves or even Simao. I dunno, we got Aureillo and everyone thought just cos he's from Brazil he'll be the nuts.
But if you look at it the other way Pennant is from here and has played for a big club already so should be chomping at the bit to establish himself. But he has so far been poor.

As for Bellers, maybe I'd have him on the right with Crouch and Kuyt upfront?

[Rocket]

i'd play bellamy on the right, cant be any worse than any other fcuker thats played there

[Parm]

i'd play bellamy on the right, cant be any worse than any other fcuker thats played there

[andyinswinton]

I don't understand why teams can play with three in the middle with three up front (or as a 4-5-1) and we can't.

It probably says more about the players we have to fit into that formation than the three in midfield.

[alunevans]

Agreed that we should perhaps go with a totally out of form Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle, but who the **** plays on the right? Pennant? We'd be better off with me there. He's miles away from being good enough to play for us. Garcia? No way.

We've got massive problems and it's very, very depressing.

Yeah but we paid 7 million for him. Why?

[alunevans]

Yeah but who plays on the right then?

Pennant?

**** off.

It just shows that beyond our best 9 or 10 players the squad is rubbish.

The signing of Pennant has been a disaster thus far.

Bellamy isn't good enough either.

Rafa should've pushed the boat out for Alves and left the mediocre players at their previous mediocre clubs.

I can't wait for us to sell them already.

I've not seen Alves so can't comment on that but yes I agree with the rest completely!

[alunevans]

But if you look at it the other way Pennant is from here and has played for a big club already so should be chomping at the bit to establish himself. But he has so far been poor.

He's never chomped on the bit before. He's never even been a good pro. He's been a dickhead who got himself sent to clink for being a dickhead.