Xabi Alonso interview

[Pablo]

Like I said he had good games, but was far too erratic for two seasons.

Here's the original thread at the time. I hate reading my own posts back, it's cringeworthy, but there's some great debate in this thread and - although there were people with differing views - you can see how many people were totally dissatisfied with him at the time.

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/show...ghlight=enigma

Spotted this little gem from "Hot Carl" in that thread:

Enigma. i used to have a cassette of theirs. sampled gregorian monk chants over a backdrop of ambient dance music with little or no percussion.

they were ****ing ****, much like Xabi's cameo today. What was wrong with him?!?!?!?!?

in the past Xabi has come back from injury and slotted straight in. granted these have been probably his worst injuries but i expect better.

will the real Xabi Alonso please stand up, please stand up, pleasey syand up.

[destinydude]

Spotted this little gem from "Hot Carl" in that thread:

gem of a post that

[The Birdman]

So what's the relevance of you pointing out all those managers who think he's a very good footballer, if you werent implying that i thought otherwise?

You posted your opinion, I posted a fact.
Nothing more than that

[Shaggy]

Spotted this little gem from "Hot Carl" in that thread:

Prototype Jenkins.

[JHP]

Absolute legend, he's the one, out of all the imports, who embraced Liverpool as a club, as a city and as a culture, more than anyone else.

World class player and a gent to boot. Xabi.

Are you including Reina in the Spanish lot?

[The Birdman]

They were dissatisfied because they knew his usual level of performance and he was slipping below it. But he still wasnt that bad.

But Alonso didnt show his 'usual true level of performance' until his last season did he?
Because undoubtably his final season was far and away his best, anyone who said they knew he was capable of consistent performances like the level he reached is lying

[destinydude]

But Alonso didnt show his 'usual true level of performance' until his last season did he?
Because undoubtably his final season was far and away his best, anyone who said they knew he was capable of consistent performances like the level he reached is lying

Boo****inghoo.

Blame us for having the belief that he could be that good.

[Craig_H]

You posted your opinion, I posted a fact.
Nothing more than that

You've done well to take it round the houses here.

I said that i think Barry is far inferior to Alonso, and it's of no real relevance if "O'Neil, Benitez, Capello and Mancini all seem to think he's a very good footballer" because that has nothing to do with what i said.

But Alonso didnt show his 'usual true level of performance' until his last season did he?
Because undoubtably his final season was far and away his best, anyone who said they knew he was capable of consistent performances like the level he reached is lying

With all due respect, just because some may not have seen it, that others did doesnt make them liars.

Boo****inghoo.

Blame us for having the belief that he could be that good.

[Arn]

I think that a big reason to why Xabi didn't deliver a couple of years was that we didn't had Masch in the team.

Masch made Xabi play much better because he got more time on the ball and more space to work with.

Xabi started to deliver as soon as Masch started to play every game for us. Masch was the key to why Xabi started to deliver IMO.

He was great the first season when he played together with a similar defensive midfielder, Hamann.

Then Rafa tried Gerrard and Xabi in the middle but that didn't worked out. Gerrard was moved out right and we signed Masch. Later Rafa moved Gerrard into the middle in an attacking position behind Torres after we signed Torres.

[Daniel 7]

Isn't being below par in golf good, though?

[Shaggy]

Haha I've often wondered about that. Below par in golf is great, below par in everything else is somehow bad.

[Qantaga]

I love Rafa but the situation with Xabi is what ultimately destroyed his team, he was a solid rock - a second Gerrard of midfield.

I think he is quite possibly the player I respect the most in today's game. A class act and a top guy, calm and professional.

And that's without saying; he is a ****ing midfield genius.

[Kenneth]

Haha I've often wondered about that. Below par in golf is great, below par in everything else is somehow bad.

It just means less than average though. What's the complication?

[RedSince1964]

No doubt IMO. He likes to paint himself as the saint but it doesn't wash. Love the guy, would have him back but he talks some crap about his departure.

So so true Shaggy

[CJ]

i very rarely manage to be even average in golf then.