[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38848.msg1051737#msg1051737 date=1265710287]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=38848.msg1051707#msg1051707 date=1265706789]
what are the worrying signs with aqua, apart from the obvious one of rafa not playing the hugely expensive midfielder despite being fit for months? okay, what OTHER worrying signs?
20 millions pounds worth of midfielder on the bench each week...who says we don't have strength in depth?
Other worrying signs (apart from his injury record):
An attacking midfielder who won't score many goals
A worrying lack of interest in tackling, tracking back and getting stuck in
A passing range that ranges from "good" to "like a mad woman's piss"
A tendency to drift out of games for long periods
A general feeling that he is a bit of a luxury player who requires the whole team to be set up around him, and isn't really good enough to be afforded that (in the unlikely event he ever would be).
I can guarantee that he certainly won't ever be quite the world-beating player many seem to think he will be, but I really do hope he isn't the distaster I fear he *might* be.
Either way, it's difficult to see which way he will go when he plays so few games.
Another transfer master-stroke from Benitez, then.
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I kind of get the same impression but because rafa wont play him it's difficult to make a definitive judgement either way. you even have to worry if the situation will change next season as we may get a difficult run of fixtures from the start and will rafa trust aqua even then.
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I think its clear at this point that Rafa either lacks the confidence or the inclination to play Aqualani regularly, he will go the way of Keane and Babel, half a game every couple of weeks until his confidence and enthusiasm are non esixtant. Then the inevitable "hes a shit/useless cunt" stuff will start and he will be moved on for less than we paid for him and the truth of it is we will never really know how good he was because he will never be given the chance.
Maxi appears to be in favour with Rafa so he will play tons of games even if hes terrible, right now he looks a yard short of pace but hollds the ball well and can link up with others. whether his lack of pace is just because hes adapting or he really is that slow remains to be seen. Right now he doesnt add any new dimensions to the squad, more of the same really