Raul Meireles

[Drago]

It's his first ****ing season, FFS.

Would you like a player with the ability of Cristiano Ronaldo? Cos he was **** for his first 12-18 months....

Nani, Evra, Malouda etc etc etc

[saj]

It's his first ****ing season, FFS.

Would you like a player with the ability of Cristiano Ronaldo? Cos he was **** for his first 12-18 months....

The big difference was he was young - only 18. Meireles is in his prime

[Rudo]

The big difference was he was young - only 18. Meireles is in his prime

Excellent point.

[Craig_H]

The big difference was he was young - only 18. Meireles is in his prime

And how about Malouda then? Evra?

Fact is, it's a massive difference and even top players dont always adjust and play their best immediately.

Anyone would think we've gotten used to the Messi's of this world, to be complaining about Meireles...

Excellent point.

[DannyMan2006]

Excellent point.

Young or old, players still take time to adapt. The real talking point is was whether or not his standard of football is good enough in the first place.

Personally I see him as a high standard pass and move style player. But most people these days tend to see someone as average is they don't specialise in either attack or defence.

[Craig_H]

Young or old, players still take time to adapt. The real talking point is was whether or not his standard of football is good enough in the first place.

Personally I see him as a high standard pass and move style player. But most people these days tend to see someone as average is they don't specialise in either attack or defence.

Furthermore, our esteemed manager is hardly setting us up in a way with which pass and move is condusive.

[danperkins]

Sometimes a player just can't or don't adapt, i.e Dosenna/Aqua/Morientes , sometimes the change in league and style is just too much. Sure if we are talking about bedded in period and adapting, sure who's to say Poulsen & Jovo won't adapt? Thats not saying i think they will either but if thats the point people are making.

In saying this, i want to see Meireles played more centrally, he is not a wide man and we won't get the best out of him in that position. But Meireles has been shocking and must do more in games, he doesn't impose himself on games and apart from setting up the Torres goal hasn't done anything of any real note.

Like to see him get involved more but i don't see it at RM.

[Craig_H]

Sometimes a player just can't or don't adapt, i.e Dosenna/Aqua/Morientes , sometimes the change in league and style is just too much. Sure if we are talking about bedded in period and adapting, sure who's to say Poulsen & Jovo won't adapt? Thats not saying i think they will either but if thats the point people are making.

In saying this, i want to see Meireles played more centrally, he is not a wide man and we won't get the best out of him in that position. But Meireles has been shocking and must do more in games, he doesn't impose himself on games and apart from setting up the Torres goal hasn't done anything of any real note.

Like to see him get involved more but i don't see it at RM.

That's the point, he hasnt been 'shocking' at all. Whereas Poulsen and Jova, have been.

Sure i agree that he's no RMer.

And again, as well as the new country, culture, language, different type of football, the daft twonk in the dugout has decided it's also time to give Raul M a new position to adapt to as well

[danperkins]

That's the point, he hasnt been 'shocking' at all. Whereas Poulsen and Jova, have been.

Sure i agree that he's no RMer.

And again, as well as the new country, culture, language, different type of football, the daft twonk in the dugout has decided it's also time to give Raul M a new position to adapt to as well

I'm perfectly happy to give him time, and as i said being played out of position makes no sense and makes it tough to judge. But that shouldn't effect his passing and general play, which hasn't been great and thats being generous.

Anyways i hope he improves today, would llike to think we'll see him inside at some stage but i won't hold my breath. Lets hope for 3 points today

[saj]

And how about Malouda then? Evra?

Fact is, it's a massive difference and even top players dont always adjust and play their best immediately.

Anyone would think we've gotten used to the Messi's of this world, to be complaining about Meireles...

The big difference between the likes of Malouda, Nani, Evra and Meireles is they were all highly rated and regarded as great talents: Meireles wasn't. How do you expect Meireles to adapt when he wasn't even regarded as fantastic player in an average league. And that is the point El Metador was making. He's hardly going to improve and become a better at the of 28. EVEN PORTO FANS STATED THAT HE WAS AVERAGE AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY LIVERPOOL WOULD WANT HIM WHEN WE WERE LINKED WITH HIM!!! How many of us can honestly say we'd even heard of him prior to the World Cup? I doubt many.

[Craig_H]

Maybe Meireles wasnt highly rated by you, but you cant speak for others. Plenty rate him. And again about not having heard of him - speak for yourself.

[Mostar]

It's his first ****ing season, FFS.

Would you like a player with the ability of Cristiano Ronaldo? Cos he was **** for his first 12-18 months....

Absolutely. He needs time to adjust to physical aspects of PL and needs to play as CM and not RM/RW.

To write it him off as a flop after 11 games in Roy's system is totally absurd.

[el matador]

Absolutely. He needs time to adjust to physical aspects of PL and needs to play as CM and not RM/RW.

To write it him off as a flop after 11 games in Roy's system is totally absurd.

in these 11 games he's not really done anything of any note. I cant remember one decent pass, I cant remember one crunching tackle, I cant remember any goals (just misses).

The fact that he hasnt shown what type of player he is in those 11 games illustrates the problem with portugese football. Too many players who can control a ball and run but who do little else.

he's played against us a couple of times and both times he did nothing. Im not writing him off but the system doesnt suit him.

he isnt strong enough to play defensive midfield,
he's too lightweight to play in the middle
he doesnt have enough tricks to play out wide

we could always play him in goal when reina leaves.

[danperkins]

Meireles has been atrocious.

[Pablo]

The most ill-equiped RM I've ever seen. An absolute travesty to play him out there. He has none, I repeat none, of the qualities needed to play RM. What the **** are you doing Roy you ****ing bellend!

He's been ****, but I feel very sorry for the lad.