Balague: Pacheco wants to leave

[Fredo]

He played brilliantly on the wing for Spain so not sure that's a good excuse.

He played on the left of a front 3, which is slightly different than playing on the wing. Maybe it's nuances like this that Dodgson doesn't get.

[5europeancups]

This may turn into exodus.

Interestingly as always no ****e player like PK, CP etc. wants to leave..

to be fair, he never got a chance under Rafa either.

you do wonder if he is just not up to it in the UK, to small, to slight which is why he rarely gets a chance. I dont think he is setting the reserves alight either is he?

I think this kid is destined to ply his trade somewhere else less physical. I dont think he can blame Roy for this after all Roy has given him chances remember.

[Fernandinho]

You can't set a team alight when you aren't playing for them.

[Chrono]

I appreciate the fact that a 442 is built more for natural width but touchline hugging players aren't that common even in this formation and more often than not players will still be cutting inside.

With either 1 or 3 up top you still need to protect the fullbacks. He should be capable of playing the wing in a 442 in the same way he could in any other formation even if his natural instinct is to move in to the centre. Unfortunately for him he is completely the wrong physical size to play in the centre. It's also worth remembering the lineup for that match as there was no way that was a typical 442 with Babel up front and the age and lack of experience of the team meant that he had to take defensive responsibilities. If he isn't capable of doing this then he can't really expect to get more time on the pitch.

When Messi came to Anfield he wasn't playing in a 442 yet was constanly trying to stay tight to the wing and get past JAR. The thing is he should be adeptable and although I'm of the opinion that he should get more game time and that this was a very rare sighting, he didn't exactly prove himself against a very very mediocre team (although that could be said for the rest of our side).

Although I'm going to contradict myself here as I mentioned his playing with Spain it is difficult to compare the two given that physically those around him were on an equal footing.

[Pablo]

You can't set a team alight when you aren't playing for them.

Exactly. One start he's had all season. This after Roy stated he would get more chances as the season progressed:

"Bodgson feels that Pacheco has all the attributes to succeed if he can maintain his self-belief.

"I thought Dani did very well when he came on against Manchester City in the five or six minutes he played," the Reds boss told his club's official website.

"I also thought he did very well when he came on against Trabzonspor and he made a difference. He is a player that we really believe in.

"He is young but it is great that can keep giving him these opportunities and moments on the field and I think these moments will get even longer as the season progresses.

"Now we are in the Europa League, it is good for me too that I will be able to give chances to the likes of him, [Jay] Spearing and [Jonjo] Shelvey.

"They need games and we will have plenty of opportunities in the coming months."

He's been frozen out after playing poorly in the one start Bodgson's given him all season. He's every right to be pissed off.

[dom9]

You can't set a team alight when you aren't playing for them.

Napalm from the stands?

[Buzzo]

You can't set a team alight when you aren't playing for them.

...or without good kindling

[dww]

I appreciate the fact that a 442 is built more for natural width but touchline hugging players aren't that common even in this formation and more often than not players will still be cutting inside.

With either 1 or 3 up top you still need to protect the fullbacks. He should be capable of playing the wing in a 442 in the same way he could in any other formation even if his natural instinct is to move in to the centre. Unfortunately for him he is completely the wrong physical size to play in the centre. It's also worth remembering the lineup for that match as there was no way that was a typical 442 with Babel up front and the age and lack of experience of the team meant that he had to take defensive responsibilities. If he isn't capable of doing this then he can't really expect to get more time on the pitch.

When Messi came to Anfield he wasn't playing in a 442 yet was constanly trying to stay tight to the wing and get past JAR. The thing is he should be adeptable and although I'm of the opinion that he should get more game time and that this was a very rare sighting, he didn't exactly prove himself against a very very mediocre team (although that could be said for the rest of our side).

Although I'm going to contradict myself here as I mentioned his playing with Spain it is difficult to compare the two given that physically those around him were on an equal footing.

I can see some of your points but being a specialist forward should not set you back. He isn't as capable a defender as an orthodox midfielder in a 4-4-2 there is no reason you should expect players to be a jack of all trades. Particularly early in a players career there is something to be said for putting them in a position they are familiar with.

[red g]

You can't set a team alight when you aren't playing for them.

you can if your an arsonist

oh see jokes above to late.

[red g]

I can see some of your points but being a specialist forward should not set you back. He isn't as capable a defender as an orthodox midfielder in a 4-4-2 there is no reason you should expect players to be a jack of all trades. Particularly early in a players career there is something to be said for putting them in a position they are familiar with.

interesting what is your take on say Kelly then? everybody is saying he is a centre back playing as right back?

[dww]

interesting what is your take on say Kelly then? everybody is saying he is a centre back playing as right back?

I think he seems quite well suited to it. Obviously every player is to some degree different and Kelly has played CB and both fullback positions in his youth and has all the attributes for both tactical positions which makes it easier for him. I think that the comparison with Babel may well prove to be a very accurate one and he played both positions at different points in his career with notable success.

I think two more experienced players might be useful in regards to thinking about playing Pacheco deeper. They would be Benayoun and Kuyt who had opposite difficulties with the position. Benayoun was decent creating from deep but poor at the defensive aspects and Kuyt struggles to start moves but handles the destructive aspects well. For a young player to adapt I think is asking a lot as the problems those two have had at various points highlights.

Perhaps in a better functioning team you could ask Pacheco to play an unfamiliar role but in a side that was struggling, with no senior leaders on the pitch I think it is a poor decision.

[Spanishfly]

Another unhappy player. Hodgson is a mug.

[BillobShaisley]

How many games has he actually been available for? He seems to spend most of his time off with the spanish youth sides.

[Cormack74]

Napalm from the stands?

[lickedlollipop]

he will definitely leave IMO.. i believe he will join some spanish side (like real betis or smth)