Maxi Rodriguez

[Exiled_red]

Maxi is nothing special these days. But he does link up well with Suarez, and as such should likely have been given a chance at some point this season.

Not always best to play the best individuals, should be the players who play well together. As such, Maxi has a case as he gets the best out of our star attacker.

I don't think he's particularly special, but he is a player who is capable of scoring goals, and that is something we lack at the moment.

[The Birdman]

Whats bizarre about Maxi being neglected and playing less this year is on paper he is ideal to play infront of Enrique.
Maxi coming inside and drifting between midfield and the front men while we retain a wide option through Enrique.

[Gibbo]

I've always rated Maxi too, rated him when he was at Athletico and when he came here.

Think now is his time to go however, we aren't playing him and he's at a time in his career where he deserves to play every game. I cant for the life of me see why he doesn't at least get a sub appearance but I suppose its the managers choice.

[Parm]

Yep, what I meant by his record speaking for itself is his goal return for us. Yes he can have quiet games and be on the periphery of the things at times, but even in those games he's liable to pop up with a goal. Goals are the game's most vital currency and it surprises me how many people write it off..."yeah he scores a few goals but he's **** isn't he"

imagine the outcry if he didnt score eh!

[Tee]

The biggest travesty this season has been the near criminal under use of Maxi. After the way he finished last season he really did deserve a fairer crack this term. And I honestly think he would have made a difference, always likley to nick a goal or two as well.

[Rich]

No doubt he'd have scored more than any of our midfielders (bar Gerrard)

He has looked pretty poor in the fleeting glimpses we've seen of him recently, but that's to be expected when he plays one in six or seven.

[Tee]

No doubt he'd have scored more than any of our midfielders (bar Gerrard)

He has looked pretty poor in the fleeting glimpses we've seen of him recently, but that's to be expected when he plays one in six or seven.

[Alex]

I dont get this 'aura' Maxi seems to have. In games he doesn't play people cry out for him. But when he does play, he is either all over the place or no where at all. His inclusion has almost turned into a cult.

Mind you, I suppose consistently inconsistent is better than being consistently poor.

[Lee]

The biggest travesty this season has been the near criminal under use of Maxi. After the way he finished last season he really did deserve a fairer crack this term. And I honestly think he would have made a difference, always likley to nick a goal or two as well.

No doubt he'd have scored more than any of our midfielders (bar Gerrard)

He has looked pretty poor in the fleeting glimpses we've seen of him recently, but that's to be expected when he plays one in six or seven.

It's staggering that a goalscoring midfielder can't get a sniff in a midfield that doesn't score, erm, goals.

I was saying yesterday to a mate of mine that it's no wonder we can no longer score.

Look at who we've had in the team over the last five years - even from the back we had the likes of Hyypia and Riise who'd be good for five goals per season each. Babel, Benayoun and Riera chipped in with a couple. Kuyt and Gerrard were at their peak a few years back, and we had the best striker in the world who would score 20 a season.

You lose all that and replace them with non-goalscoring players and you'll always struggle. That makes the exclusion of Maxi (regardless of his performances) even more baffling.

[Chris]

I dont get this 'aura' Maxi seems to have. In games he doesn't play people cry out for him. But when he does play, he is either all over the place or no where at all. His inclusion has almost turned into a cult.

Mind you, I suppose consistently inconsistent is better than being consistently poor.

Yep, most of his more recent starts like Wigan, Bolton, Man Utd, Stoke etc have been dismal but still the legend continues. Should have been involved more earlier in the season to be fair but he's been shocking this year.

[Shaggy]

I dont get this 'aura' Maxi seems to have. In games he doesn't play people cry out for him. But when he does play, he is either all over the place or no where at all. His inclusion has almost turned into a cult.

Mind you, I suppose consistently inconsistent is better than being consistently poor.

It's not an aura, more a record of scoring and making goals. And when his main replacement fails to contribute either, it kind of rubs it in a bit. For £20m you expect a proper matchwinner. We got Stewart Downing.

Downing has never been as good a footballer as Maxi, either in terms of pure technical ability or in terms of scoring goals.

[Alex]

Yep, most of his more recent starts like Wigan, Bolton, Man Utd, Stoke etc have been dismal but still the legend continues. Should have been involved more earlier in the season to be fair but he's been shocking this year.

Ill agree his performances haven't been great. But 4 goals in 15 games is a decent return by anyone's standards.

[Shaggy]

As Rich said, when the appearances are so sporadic, it's natural that performances won't be as good - but still his output is better than Downing who plays most weeks.

[Alex]

It's not an aura, more a record of scoring and making goals. And when his main replacement fails to contribute either, it kind of rubs it in a bit. For £20m you expect a proper matchwinner. We got Stewart Downing.

Downing has never been as good a footballer as Maxi, either in terms of pure technical ability or in terms of scoring goals.

What I mean by 'aura' is that he gets built up as an amazingly brilliant player. But when he comes on, this season especially he has been bang average. He is way better than Downing though and warrants a place ahead of him. I just think that 'The Myth of Maxi' gets over blown sometimes. Ive seen him talked about like he is the savior who is never picked.

But there must be other reasons he doesn't play much. Fitness, injuries. Something.

[Shaggy]

What I mean by 'aura' is that he gets built up as an amazingly brilliant player. But when he comes on, this season especially he has been bang average. He is way better than Downing though and warrants a place ahead of him. I just think that 'The Myth of Maxi' gets over blown sometimes. Ive seen him talked about like he is the savior who is never picked.

But there must be other reasons he doesn't play much. Fitness, injuries. Something.

I've said before that I agree he's sometimes painted as a potential saviour, and clearly he is not.

He's just better than Downing and deserved more chances this year.

I think the reason he doesn't play much is Kenny just doesn't rate him.