Babel should get games

[JohnDoe]

The way I see it, we've got two options on the left other than Joe Cole, whose role is still a mystery to me and it's uncertain whether he'll be capable of keeping that no.10 position for long before being moved out wide.

Those two options are both headless chickens, blind alley runners. One has electric pace and good finishing ability while the other's name is Milan Jovanovic. Is it time that the new signing hype blows over now that we're actually seeing him play and realizing he's not very good, and it may be smarter to give a chance to a player with far more upside and talent?

Yeah, I know how many times Babel has let us, and me personally, down, but for me, he's the most dangerous option we have out wide now if we're playing one up front. Simple as. With Kuyt playing on the right, the midfield is solid enough to support Babel. Kuyt and Jovanovic has no flair, no creativity, no nothing. Full backs around the league are laughing at our puny threats from out wide.

Give Babel games.

[Molby]

The way I see it, we've got two options on the left other than Joe Cole, whose role is still a mystery to me and it's uncertain whether he'll be capable of keeping that no.10 position for long before being moved out wide.

Those two options are both headless chickens, blind alley runners. One has electric pace and good finishing ability while the other's name is Milan Jovanovic. Is it time that the new signing hype blows over now that we're actually seeing him play and realizing he's not very good, and it may be smarter to give a chance to a player with far more upside and talent?

Yeah, I know how many times Babel has let us, and me personally, down, but for me, he's the most dangerous option we have out wide now if we're playing one up front. Simple as. With Kuyt playing on the right, the midfield is solid enough to support Babel. Kuyt and Jovanovic has no flair, no creativity, no nothing. Full backs around the league are laughing at our puny threats from out wide.

Give Babel games.

Jovanovic is def getting found out. He just isn't that good.

Babel is a bigger threat..................marginally.


That's the problem - they are both much of a muchness.

[reds123]

I totally agree!

[TheElephantMan]

I'd say that Jovanovic needs games. I believe that the arrival of Hodgson has wiped the slate clean for many players, but Babel will get found out quickly. Hopefully he'll be shipped out in January.

[Exiled_red]

I'm not Babel's biggest fan but I feel like the play from midfield was pedestrian today, I think that Babel with his pace has a different option and gives defenders something to worry about. Ideally I'd like to see a proper winger who would stay wide and add pace but it seems unlikely that we'll sign someone like that so in the absence of a player like that I'd like to see Babel given a chance.

[JohnDoe]

I'd say that Jovanovic needs games.

I know it sounds rash but from watching him play, no amount of games are going to improve his play. He's just extremely limited, his attempts to cling on to the game by his running around are as successful as his attempts to cling on to his hair. The guy is 29 and never deemed good enough by a decent side in a decent league to spend money on, and you can easily see why. He's a poor man's Kuyt who's just a bit quicker. You can bet why Rafa wanted him though, as he must have looked great as a circle with a number in it on his football manager style, game analyzing program.

I believe that the arrival of Hodgson has wiped the slate clean for many players, but Babel will get found out quickly. Hopefully he'll be shipped out in January.

Well I'm sorry but I can't agree with you on selling the only player in the squad who can do a job out wide and actually has flair.

[kemm1]

I'm not Babel's biggest fan but I feel like the play from midfield was pedestrian today, I think that Babel with his pace has a different option and gives defenders something to worry about. Ideally I'd like to see a proper winger who would stay wide and add pace but it seems unlikely that we'll sign someone like that so in the absence of a player like that I'd like to see Babel given a chance.

Agreed

Even though I'm still clinging on to hope that Babel will consistently produce.

[-V-]

It just doesn't make sense. Either play him or sell him ffs, no use paying him a ton of money to play 4 or 5 minutes per game. I know its early days yet but we just seem to be carrying on from last seasons problems

[saj]

It just doesn't make sense. Either play him or sell him ffs, no use paying him a ton of money to play 4 or 5 minutes per game. I know its early days yet but we just seem to be carrying on from last seasons problems

Agree. Same bull****, different ****ing suit in charge. 2 (****e)defensive midfielders at home to a ****e team and 4-4-2 away from home against city . Nice Woy, nice.

[Neil Young]

I know it sounds rash but from watching him play, no amount of games are going to improve his play. He's just extremely limited, his attempts to cling on to the game by his running around are as successful as his attempts to cling on to his hair. The guy is 29 and never deemed good enough by a decent side in a decent league to spend money on, and you can easily see why. He's a poor man's Kuyt who's just a bit quicker. You can bet why Rafa wanted him though, as he must have looked great as a circle with a number in it on his football manager style, game analyzing program.

Well I'm sorry but I can't agree with you on selling the only player in the squad who can do a job out wide and actually has flair.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[BrooklynRed]

I would try to defend Jova on the left if the player actually played there, but I can't count the number of times he played inside or up the middle; On the run up the middle, he thought he was Gerrard for a moment before Stevie came in and took the ball off of him and drove forward. The most troubling thing about Jova for me is that he doesn't have any, not one shred, of positional discipline. How many times did Torres take the ball on the wing today? It was a joke.

At least Babel starts out wide before cutting inside and hitting it over the bar; Jovanovic thinks he's a CM. I don't dislike him, he makes some gutsy plays, but he is NOT a winger and I wouldn't start him on this team in the league.

[banditos]

I would try to defend Jova on the left if the player actually played there, but I can't count the number of times he played inside or up the middle; On the run up the middle, he thought he was Gerrard for a moment before Stevie came in and took the ball off of him and drove forward. The most troubling thing about Jova for me is that he doesn't have any, not one shred, of positional discipline. How many times did Torres take the ball on the wing today? It was a joke.

At least Babel starts out wide before cutting inside and hitting it over the bar; Jovanovic thinks he's a CM. I don't dislike him, he makes some gutsy plays, but he is NOT a winger and I wouldn't start him on this team in the league.

Totally agree, particularly in a defensive sense. Thought he was at fault for City's first goal on Monday night and he left their full-back free on a number of occasions today, leaving Agger exposed.

[Craig_H]

Gerrard cant do it all the time. Nando is still getting to grips with his fitness and sharpness. Cole is suspended and still settling in.

Other than that trio, Babel is the only player we've got who has proved that he can offer pace, a genuine direct threat and the ability to make things happen for us.

He isnt game intelligent or consistent, but he cant offer anything from the bench - he should indeed be used more, especially when Joe's suspended.

[Rudo]

Roy needs to start taking a chance with the likes of Babel and Pacheco, it's time for a more attacking approach.

It's the same old, prodding, side to side passing bull**** from us. We need to start going into these home games with attacking intent. To play two defensive midfielders at home to West Brom is a disgrace, i bet West Brom couldn't believe their luck. No wonder they played with no fear.

[TheElephantMan]

I agree that Roy needs to use more attack minded players and hopefully he will bring in one or two more before the window shuts. Pacheco will undoubtedly get more games this season. Babel was frustrated by his lack of opportunities under the previous manager and is still seemingly out of favour with the new manager. Bit strange that.