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Aquialini's fitness

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[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37385.msg998225#msg998225 date=1259111985]
I don't share Ryan's optimism, nor he's unrelenting faith in the manager, but he is right about Aquilani and I said as much in the match thread.

Who gives a fucking toss? People have become more carried away by this player than the club itself. (And this is from someone who rates the lad highly.)
[/quote]


Squiggs, I think its just pent up frustration at the lack of playing time Aqualani is getting. Is he not fit enough to take part in 20 mins against average opposition in a game we are controlling?

It's not just being brought up now to lambast the manager because we're out of CL, people have been saying this with ages. Ryan created a thread "Tuesday Nights Champions League" where he himself said he expects Aqualani to start. Everyone is waiting for him to get minutes, if not tonight then when?

This is not an opportunity to slate Rafa or be ungrateful after a win, (I pro Rafa to an extent on here), it's about getting our new signing playing time. Not a lot to ask for.

Perhaps it's best not discussed so soon after we've been eliminated from a major competiton. Fair enough.
 
I'm just amazed it's being discussed on a night where we've been eliminated from the biggest club tournament in world football, one which we've consistently dominated in the last 5 years.

It even started before the game,"Aquilani's not starting?!?!?! FUCK YOU BENITEZ" *Angry face*

Come the fuck on.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37385.msg998211#msg998211 date=1259110059]
[quote author=ILD link=topic=37385.msg998210#msg998210 date=1259109905]
So you don't think our new 20million player should be getting opportunities to stretch his legs and get playing time under his belt?
They are not mutually exclusive Ryan.

Alberto needs minutes on the pitch. Tonight, was a fine opportunity. That is all a lot are saying. We are not trying to take anything away from the win, well i'm not anyway.

[/quote]

I didn't think tonight was a fine opportunity though, that's the point Dave.
[/quote]

If tonight's not it, when do you think it will present itself?
 
[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=37385.msg998271#msg998271 date=1259121374]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37385.msg998211#msg998211 date=1259110059]
[quote author=ILD link=topic=37385.msg998210#msg998210 date=1259109905]
So you don't think our new 20million player should be getting opportunities to stretch his legs and get playing time under his belt?
They are not mutually exclusive Ryan.

Alberto needs minutes on the pitch. Tonight, was a fine opportunity. That is all a lot are saying. We are not trying to take anything away from the win, well i'm not anyway.

[/quote]

I didn't think tonight was a fine opportunity though, that's the point Dave.
[/quote]

If tonight's not it, when do you think it will present itself?
[/quote]

I haven't a clue Whadda.

It would be great to see him play obviously, but I don't think we can criticise Rafa for not selecting him tonight.

I'd be surprised if he played away to Everton, but then actually, maybe I wouldn't.

He's a cert to start at home to Fiorentina now, if that's any consolation to anyone.
 
Agreed - I think that's when we'll see his first start too.

And I think it's a load of bollocks, tbh.

He should have started tonight, in a game that proved to be meaningless... it would have been a lot easier than throwing him into a derby, that's for sure. Now, I anticipate having to sit through at least two more Lucas & Mascher CM games, while our "answer" watches from the bench.

Big picture - I think today delayed even further the arrival of the help we so deserately need. Hopefully it won't prove costly in May.
 
It is strange indeed. Rafa said Aqui is fit (in the post match interview article by BBC) and still did not play him.
 
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
 
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

Totally agree. Aquilani played 15 minutes almost a month ago now, and unless we aren't being told something, it's mystifying. This shouldn't be a rehab programme he's involved in now, it should be developing match fitness.

One thing I would say, is that I'm not so sure Rafa thinks that our problems lie in central midfield. I'm not so sure he thinks Lucas isn't doing enough.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37385.msg998012#msg998012 date=1259102430]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=37385.msg998000#msg998000 date=1259102141]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37385.msg997993#msg997993 date=1259101919]
ABSOLUTELY RIDIC RAFA!

YEAH WE WON THE GAME BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS, THIS AND THIS!
[/quote]

Mate ... You watched that game ... The team looked terrible. We were playing a midfield with Kuyt, Aurelio, Lucas & Mascherano - and the only creative spark we were getting was from a 'nearing fitness' Gerrard and a improving Ngog. That says enough. The team struggled to beat the 4th (or 5th?) placed team in Hungary and we needed GOALS if we had any chance if we had got a favorable result in Florence. Surely you can put down your red tinted specs for a few minutes ...
[/quote]

We've been playing shit for months, did you expect us to fucking revolutionise into world-beaters overnight? A win, a fucking dirty scrappy one, was what we needed. And we got it. Did I read that we had 20 shots to their 2 or something?

And as for criticisisng our midfield? Well who fucking well else was he going to pick? Should he have thrown Alonso and John Barnes in there? That's our fucking midfield LeTall, and we dominated the game.

There are threads and posts on this forum currently calling for Guus Hiddink, Kenny Dalglish, Rafa out before Xmas - AND YOU'RE ACCUSING ME OF NOT BEING REALISTIC.

For the love of fucking God.
[/quote]

I think that's also going to far - but we weren't playing a premier league team here, we were playing a top 4 candidate in the Hungarian league. And our players struggled to even look like they cared.

Whatever, Rafa screwed up in the offseason with the belief a midfield of Lucas and Mascherano could do well ... and injuries have fucked him up.

But you're right, you have low expectations - I still expect the team from last year to 'burst out' ...
 
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37385.msg998308#msg998308 date=1259132593]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

Totally agree. Aquilani played 15 minutes almost a month ago now, and unless we aren't being told something, it's mystifying. This shouldn't be a rehab programme he's involved in now, it should be developing match fitness.

One thing I would say, is that I'm not so sure Rafa thinks that our problems lie in central midfield. I'm not so sure he thinks Lucas isn't doing enough.
[/quote]

Exactly. And it worries me to death.
 
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=37385.msg998308#msg998308 date=1259132593]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

Totally agree. Aquilani played 15 minutes almost a month ago now, and unless we aren't being told something, it's mystifying. This shouldn't be a rehab programme he's involved in now, it should be developing match fitness.

One thing I would say, is that I'm not so sure Rafa thinks that our problems lie in central midfield. I'm not so sure he thinks Lucas isn't doing enough.
[/quote]

None of us know exactly about Aquilani's fitness right now. But I do not believe that there are reasons apart from medical ones that he hasn't started or featured more.
 
The Aquilani substitution was fine, it was just to waste time and bringing him on earlier would have served no purpose as we didn't need to score.

Rafa makes mistakes but no more than Wenger, Ferguson, Ancelotti et al. The main problems all season have been; injuries to our best players (Torres, Gerrard, Agger, Johnson), our lack of a back up to Torres and Rafa's devotion to Lucas.

I support Rafa despite the fact I don't understand his Lucas infatuation but I am confident that once everyone is fit Lucas will beccome peripheral to the plan. I still maintain that we have been unlucky so far this season and once the injuries clear up we will show our true worth, our best 11 is as good as anyone elses.

I predict that from Xmas we will end up with a higher points tally than anyone else in the league and comfortably finish top 4.
 
Haven't read the whole thread but I must admit I'm not to fuzzed about him not playing tonight.

The pitch was downright awful and was almost inviting for injuries.

Actually the main positive thing for me last night was the fact none of players seemed to get injured.
 
Gerrard and Johnson don't look 100%, Yossi obviously needs to be handled with care, Agger and Aurelio are made of glass, whilst Torres and Riera are still out. If Rafa is assured of his position in the short-term, I can imagine him doing his best to make sure his team is best placed to at least finish strongly. At least I hope that's what he's doing - it can't be anything else. I'm sure Aquilani will be getting more game time over the next couple weeks.
 
If Aqualini needs match fitness why was he even in the squad if he wasnt getting match time. He would be better off playing for the reserves tonight.

Rafa's infatuation with Lucas is really worrying for me.
 
you have to admire a man who places the well being of the player over the need to get results. if owen were handled with such care in his youth he wouldn't be such an injury mess now.
 
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

If Aquilani is as important as you say he is - and he is - there's no point playing him if there's any risk at all. He's been badly managed with regards to injury in the past and I don't want to see our investment crippled for the whole season. We don't know any of the details involved in this case, and the way I see it, the only real criticism which can be levelled at Benitez is he may be guilty of giving us unrealistic expectations of when we'll see the Italian in action. It's also worth noting, with hindsight, that it looks as if the medics were overly optimistic with their recovery programme - something which hasn't been admitted by the club but is something we'll just have to get over.

Everyone's sick of seeing Lucas and Mascherano paired together - I get it. But criticising the manager for the delay Aquilani when we have no access to the details is absurd. Not everything is going to made public. In some instances you need a bit of belief that the manager knows what he's doing.
 
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37385.msg998384#msg998384 date=1259145283]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

If Aquilani is as important as you say he is - and he is - there's no point playing him if there's any risk at all. He's been badly managed with regards to injury in the past and I don't want to see our investment crippled for the whole season. We don't know any of the details involved in this case, and the way I see it, the only real criticism which can be levelled at Benitez is he may be guilty of giving us unrealistic expectations of when we'll see the Italian in action. It's also worth noting, with hindsight, that it looks as if the medics were overly optimistic with their recovery programme - something which hasn't been admitted by the club but is something we'll just have to get over.

Everyone's sick of seeing Lucas and Mascherano paired together - I get it. But criticising the manager for the delay Aquilani when we have no access to the details is absurd. Not everything is going to made public. In some instances you need a bit of belief that the manager knows what he's doing.
[/quote]


Exactly. I'm sure Rafa would've played him earlier but there must be serious concerns of our medical staff which have prevented it.
 
It would help if we had more reserve games for such players. We're playing Wigan tonight. Do you know when the next reserve match is? January 2010! It's absolutely farcical. Why on earth are there so few matches? It's high time clubs take control of the situation and reorganise the whole reserve set-up.
 
Alonso missing means when Gerrard is playing he ends up dropping deeper to collect the ball, as there's no one on midfield to creatively play the ball forward, whoever is then playing upfront, Torres or Ngog is left isolated and feeding off scrap.s Huge problem, I'm sure we all agree.

But the solution is simple, play flipping Aquilani, he's meant to be more creative, right?

No match fitness? The only bloody way he's gonna gain that is BY PLAYING MATCHES!
 
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37385.msg998384#msg998384 date=1259145283]
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=37385.msg998307#msg998307 date=1259131680]
Well I said I'd have questions if Aqua didn't play in the CL match.

I disagree with Ryan and Squiggles on this - it's not a case of getting carried away with a player instead of the club; if anything I think that's what Rafa is doing.


We finished 2nd last season with what was pretty close to a full on title challenge. To win the title this season I think most fans (certainly including me) thought we had to improve even if only a little.

A large part of 2nd place was the form of Alonso who, while perhaps not supreme, was very good for almost the entire season. Alonso is gone - as I'm sure many have noticed - and it's pretty clear that we're desperately missing his ability to start things from the back of the pitch. He was exceptionally composed with the ball at his feet, wonderful passing and that intangible quality of creativity. You take that out of any team and they're going to struggle - which is exactly what we're doing.

The only player we have in the club who can potentially rectifiy this situation - assuming Gerrard stays up top - is Aquilani. We've seen the title challenge disappear, the CL has now disappeared and the only player who can realistically fill this very important role is on the bench. He's been injured and that is fair enough but he's played 20 and 25 minutes in matches and is, we are told, only lacking match fitness. Rafa constantly tells us he is fine and just needs the sharpness that comes from matches. Yet he's not getting any time.

Either Rafa is lying to us or he's screwing with us. If all he needs is match fitness then he needs to be playing some matches and the only thing that can stop him doing so is if he's not really fine or if Rafa wants to keep stringing us along. If he's a genuine replacement for Xabi then not playing him is placing the player ahead of the club; protecting and promoting him at the expense of the teams performances. To give him 30 seconds is a joke - don't give me this crap about time wasting. If that was the purpose then bring Gerrard off and put someone else up the back to ensure the win.

None of this is to say that Rafa should be gone. He's been mystifying in his selections etc from day one. He has a terrible injury problem and he's got a 20m player coming back from injury - he'd have his heart in his mouth every time he got tackled cause seeing him get injured again would be devastating. But, IMO, that's just putting the player ahead of the club. Rafa took the risk of signing an injured player but now that it's come time he doesn't seem willing to follow through with the risk.
[/quote]

If Aquilani is as important as you say he is - and he is - there's no point playing him if there's any risk at all. He's been badly managed with regards to injury in the past and I don't want to see our investment crippled for the whole season. We don't know any of the details involved in this case, and the way I see it, the only real criticism which can be levelled at Benitez is he may be guilty of giving us unrealistic expectations of when we'll see the Italian in action. It's also worth noting, with hindsight, that it looks as if the medics were overly optimistic with their recovery programme - something which hasn't been admitted by the club but is something we'll just have to get over.

Everyone's sick of seeing Lucas and Mascherano paired together - I get it. But criticising the manager for the delay Aquilani when we have no access to the details is absurd. Not everything is going to made public. In some instances you need a bit of belief that the manager knows what he's doing.
[/quote]

I think most sensible people understand all that. What they dont understand is why he is on the bench if he is not considered fit enough to play for at least 20 minutes.
 
Who else in the CL squad would you rather see on the bench?

Right now he's throwing players on there to make up the numbers, and Liverpool fans are throwing their toys out the pram as a result.
 
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=37385.msg998399#msg998399 date=1259146060]
It would help if we had more reserve games for such players. We're playing Wigan tonight. Do you know when the next reserve match is? January 2010! It's absolutely farcical. Why on earth are there so few matches? It's high time clubs take control of the situation and reorganise the whole reserve set-up.
[/quote]

Perhaps Aqualani should have remained in Livepool to play that game tonight and work on his fitness.
 
[quote author=LadyRed link=topic=37385.msg998401#msg998401 date=1259146160]
Alonso missing means when Gerrard is playing he ends up dropping deeper to collect the ball, as there's no one on midfield to creatively play the ball forward, whoever is then playing upfront, Torres or Ngog is left isolated and feeding off scrap.s Huge problem, I'm sure we all agree.

But the solution is simple, play flipping Aquilani, he's meant to be more creative, right?

No match fitness? The only bloody way he's gonna gain that is BY PLAYING MATCHES!
[/quote]

When has Torres, Gerrard and Aqualini been fit at the same time?
 
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37385.msg998411#msg998411 date=1259147128]
Who else in the CL squad would you rather see on the bench?

Right now he's throwing players on there to make up the numbers, and Liverpool fans are throwing their toys out the pram as a result.
[/quote]

Even Plessis could have played for 27 seconds and wasted 30 coming on as sub. My point is, and you well know it, if he is not fit to play then he shouldnt be on the bench. If he needs match fitness and cant get it with the first team then he should be playing with the reserves tonight.

Are you saying that if a third substitution had been forced on us with 20 minutes to go, because of an injury to a midfielder, that Spearing would have come on?
 
[quote author=Biggus Dickus link=topic=37385.msg998444#msg998444 date=1259149199]
[quote author=LadyRed link=topic=37385.msg998401#msg998401 date=1259146160]
Alonso missing means when Gerrard is playing he ends up dropping deeper to collect the ball, as there's no one on midfield to creatively play the ball forward, whoever is then playing upfront, Torres or Ngog is left isolated and feeding off scrap.s Huge problem, I'm sure we all agree.

But the solution is simple, play flipping Aquilani, he's meant to be more creative, right?

No match fitness? The only bloody way he's gonna gain that is BY PLAYING MATCHES!
[/quote]

When has Torres, Gerrard and Aqualini been fit at the same time?
[/quote]

Eh, I said Torres or Ngog. Point is the 4231 doesn't work with two CM's we have at the moment because there isn't enough creativity there.
 
[quote author=ILD link=topic=37385.msg998435#msg998435 date=1259148408]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=37385.msg998399#msg998399 date=1259146060]
It would help if we had more reserve games for such players. We're playing Wigan tonight. Do you know when the next reserve match is? January 2010! It's absolutely farcical. Why on earth are there so few matches? It's high time clubs take control of the situation and reorganise the whole reserve set-up.
[/quote]

Perhaps Aqualani should have remained in Livepool to play that game tonight and work on his fitness.
[/quote]

Personally, yes, I think so. Although if he had I'm sure there would have been plenty saying he should've been in the squad and on the bench.
 
Granted. I would have preferred him to get a proper run-out on a better pitch. But I agree, as he went, he should have been used.
 
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