Babel

[Sunny]

I'm a fierce critic of Babel and I believe rightly so. But, it has to be said, last night was a big improvement. His application was vastly improved, much stronger on the ball and his passing was much better also. He's still lacking quick thinking one touch football, some inventiveness going forwards and his final ball needs improvement but it was encouraging all the same. There may be a player in there after all. He's a long way to go yet to be the player he can be but the signs are at least there. There, I said it.

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=Sunny link=topic=39322.msg1070462#msg1070462 date=1268733196]
I'm a fierce critic of Babel and I believe rightly so. But, it has to be said, last night was a big improvement. His application was vastly improved, much stronger on the ball and his passing was much better also. He's still lacking quick thinking one touch football, some inventiveness going forwards and his final ball needs improvement but it was encouraging all the same. There may be a player in there after all. He's a long way to go yet to be the player he can be but the signs are at least there. There, I said it.
[/quote]

hopefully he can keep it up when he next plays

 

[Delinquent]

I'd tend to agree with that. I'd like to see him get to the by-line a bit more though. So often he seems to run out of ideas at the pivotal moment when his only idea should really be to skin the man for pace on the outside. If he did it more often, it'd be far harder for defenders to predict when he's going to come inside and unleash that vicious shot of his.

 

[jexykrodic]

Whilst he appears to have the brain of a rocking horse and absolutely no guile, he does have pace and a powerful shot and keeps his marker busy and concentrated.

I've marked him down as an impact player before and don't see much reason to change that opinion.

However, if he could concentrate, lift his head and occasionally play the simple ball he would be a much better asset rather than the quirky individual he is now.

 

[Sunny]

[quote author=jexykrodic link=topic=39322.msg1070470#msg1070470 date=1268733864]

However, if he could concentrate, lift his head and occasionally play the simple ball he would be a much better asset rather than the quirky individual he is now.
[/quote]

I thought he did that at times last night jexy which was encouraging

 

[Rosco]

He certainly played with a bit of purpose last night but I still feel he needs to play on the right. He seems a bit clueless when he's running at defenders, while he's out left he's always going to look to come back inside and that makes his pace less useful.

He doesn't seem to have many tricks in his repertoire so at least playing on the right he can kick it by someone on the outside, collect and cross from the byline.

 

[spider-Neil]

personally I think there has been a steady increase in confidence for a while, I certainly thought he was one of the better players v lille and was amazingly taken off before kuyt.

I'm of the opinion the faster and slicker liverpool plays the better babel gets, there have been a lot of awesome performances where babel was involved. n'castle away (5-0) real madrid at home (4-0).

an outstanding performance by ryan on thursday and I think he will start the manu game.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

He's been like that for the past few games now -

It's a start but as most people say, it needs to continue. If he can keep his confidence up, he's our best & most dangerous option on the left.

 

[Skullflower]

i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.

 

[spider-Neil]

that was a clinical finish yesterday, I think its a pity it was ngog that was given a run in torres' absense. I'll add it was also really pleasing to see the link up play between torres and babel yesterday

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070498#msg1070498 date=1268735521]
i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.
[/quote]

not based on riera's performances this season it wouldn't.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=39322.msg1070465#msg1070465 date=1268733511]
[quote author=Sunny link=topic=39322.msg1070462#msg1070462 date=1268733196]
I'm a fierce critic of Babel and I believe rightly so. But, it has to be said, last night was a big improvement. His application was vastly improved, much stronger on the ball and his passing was much better also. He's still lacking quick thinking one touch football, some inventiveness going forwards and his final ball needs improvement but it was encouraging all the same. There may be a player in there after all. He's a long way to go yet to be the player he can be but the signs are at least there. There, I said it.
[/quote]

hopefully he can keep it up when he next plays
[/quote]Thats probably only 6 or 7 games away.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=39322.msg1070504#msg1070504 date=1268735676]
[quote author=Fabio Alrighty-o link=topic=39322.msg1070465#msg1070465 date=1268733511]
[quote author=Sunny link=topic=39322.msg1070462#msg1070462 date=1268733196]
I'm a fierce critic of Babel and I believe rightly so. But, it has to be said, last night was a big improvement. His application was vastly improved, much stronger on the ball and his passing was much better also. He's still lacking quick thinking one touch football, some inventiveness going forwards and his final ball needs improvement but it was encouraging all the same. There may be a player in there after all. He's a long way to go yet to be the player he can be but the signs are at least there. There, I said it.
[/quote]

hopefully he can keep it up when he next plays
[/quote]Thats probably only 6 or 7 games away.
[/quote]

rafa wouldn't dare. I can understand him not starting the manu game but babel deserves to play v lille.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070502#msg1070502 date=1268735643]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070498#msg1070498 date=1268735521]
i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.
[/quote]

not based on riera's performances this season it wouldn't.
[/quote]

he's had about 3 games, ffs.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070509#msg1070509 date=1268735858]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070502#msg1070502 date=1268735643]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070498#msg1070498 date=1268735521]
i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.
[/quote]

not based on riera's performances this season it wouldn't.
[/quote]

he's had about 3 games, ffs.
[/quote]

if babel is expected to perform despite a lack of appearances so should riera.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070518#msg1070518 date=1268736241]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070509#msg1070509 date=1268735858]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070502#msg1070502 date=1268735643]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070498#msg1070498 date=1268735521]
i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.
[/quote]

not based on riera's performances this season it wouldn't.
[/quote]

he's had about 3 games, ffs.
[/quote]

if babel is expected to perform despite a lack of appearances so should riera.
[/quote]

you've lost me.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070519#msg1070519 date=1268736342]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070518#msg1070518 date=1268736241]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070509#msg1070509 date=1268735858]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070502#msg1070502 date=1268735643]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070498#msg1070498 date=1268735521]
i think we would have been even better last night if riera was playing rather than babel. babel was good, though.
[/quote]

not based on riera's performances this season it wouldn't.
[/quote]

he's had about 3 games, ffs.
[/quote]

if babel is expected to perform despite a lack of appearances so should riera.
[/quote]

you've lost me.
[/quote]

babel is expected to peform despite not being a regular starter (I think this expectation is harsh but it is what it is) therefore people should expect riera to peform despite a lack of starts. riera's performances the few times he has been called upon have bordered on criminal, methinks someone has grown too big for his boots.

 

[Skullflower]

neither have performed well when played so what's your point?

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.

 

[the_khl]

His partnership with Torres looked very promising in the Lille-game and even better last night.

I've been one of Babels most stubborn fans and I'm not writing him of just yet. He needs to keep his shit together though.

No more rap. Only football.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070528#msg1070528 date=1268736958]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.
[/quote]

what the fucking hell are you on about?

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070532#msg1070532 date=1268737067]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070528#msg1070528 date=1268736958]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.
[/quote]

what the fucking hell are you on about?
[/quote]

okay, you said;
'reira would have done better if he were used (instead of babel)' its that what I took umbridge with because everytime he (reira) has been played he has stunk the place out, you then replied 'he's hardly played' well that doesn't stop people having a go at babel.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070534#msg1070534 date=1268737285]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070532#msg1070532 date=1268737067]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070528#msg1070528 date=1268736958]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.
[/quote]

what the fucking hell are you on about?
[/quote]

okay, you said;
'reira would have done better if he were used (instead of babel)' its that what I took umbridge with because everytime he (reira) has been played he has stunk the place out, you then replied 'he's hardly played' well that doesn't stop people having a go at babel.
[/quote]

i wasn't having a go at babel.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070538#msg1070538 date=1268737470]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070534#msg1070534 date=1268737285]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070532#msg1070532 date=1268737067]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070528#msg1070528 date=1268736958]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.
[/quote]

what the fucking hell are you on about?
[/quote]

okay, you said;
'reira would have done better if he were used (instead of babel)' its that what I took umbridge with because everytime he (reira) has been played he has stunk the place out, you then replied 'he's hardly played' well that doesn't stop people having a go at babel.
[/quote]

i wasn't having a go at babel.
[/quote]

well my apologies then 🙂

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070542#msg1070542 date=1268737558]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070538#msg1070538 date=1268737470]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070534#msg1070534 date=1268737285]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070532#msg1070532 date=1268737067]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=39322.msg1070528#msg1070528 date=1268736958]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=39322.msg1070526#msg1070526 date=1268736763]
neither have performed well when played so what's your point?
[/quote]

you was the one that brought up riera. I personally think babel deserves his run because as I said before there has been gradual improvement from him in the past few games.
[/quote]

what the fucking hell are you on about?
[/quote]

okay, you said;
'reira would have done better if he were used (instead of babel)' its that what I took umbridge with because everytime he (reira) has been played he has stunk the place out, you then replied 'he's hardly played' well that doesn't stop people having a go at babel.
[/quote]

i wasn't having a go at babel.
[/quote]

well my apologies then 🙂
[/quote]

just trying to help you understand your own fallacious algorithms.

😉

 

[Insignificance]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=39322.msg1070490#msg1070490 date=1268735237]
He's been like that for the past few games now -

It's a start but as most people say, it needs to continue. If he can keep his confidence up, he's our best & most dangerous option on the left.
[/quote]

Well one thing is for sure... it cant continue from the bench. And the other sure thing is that if it drops for half a game he will be benched for the next 3 months or so! One rule doesnt necessary apply for others.

 

[ibromurph]

I think a large part of Babel's problem is that he has Insua playing at LB. Against good teams, Insua + Babel just isn't workable.

If we had an experienced solid LB to call upon, I think Babel would get more game time. But Rafa, right now, has to choose between Insua and Babel.. and often he opts for the Argie.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=39322.msg1070619#msg1070619 date=1268744574]
I think a large part of Babel's problem is that he has Insua playing at LB. Against good teams, Insua + Babel just isn't workable.

If we had an experienced solid LB to call upon, I think Babel wouldn't get more game time. But Rafa, right now, has to choose between Insua and Babel.. and often he opts for the Argie.
[/quote]

Yeah, if that useless LB didn't need his hand holding all the time - or we had a manager who didn't find himself relying on him - then Babel would be in a much stronger position.

He's getting a run of games and he's steadily getting better. It's no surprise really.

 

[Mojo]

It's all about confidence. The more game time and involvement you have, the more confident you are. And the more confident you are, the more likely you are to try different things and alot of the time you find they will come off.
Babel wasn't helped by the fact that after a promising 1st season, he found Riera (Aurelio sometimes) taking his position on the left. And then getting a sporadic run of games in different positions didn't help either.
It's the same with Aquilani...the bloke did more last night than Lucas has done in an entire season, and you could see after he tried the volley when the ball came over his shoulder, that he was beginning to enjoy his game again, and thereafter was MOTM. Goal, passes coming off beautifully etc. All down to confidence.
A major part of getting confidence is having the managers faith & trust.
Both Babel & Auqa require this, yet he continues to place his trust in the likes of Luke the feking Arse, Kuyt, Insua.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Mojo link=topic=39322.msg1070693#msg1070693 date=1268753603]
It's all about confidence. The more game time and involvement you have, the more confident you are. And the more confident you are, the more likely you are to try different things and alot of the time you find they will come off.
Babel wasn't helped by the fact that after a promising 1st season, he found Riera (Aurelio sometimes) taking his position on the left. And then getting a sporadic run of games in different positions didn't help either.
It's the same with Aquilani...the bloke did more last night than Lucas has done in an entire season, and you could see after he tried the volley when the ball came over his shoulder, that he was beginning to enjoy his game again, and thereafter was MOTM. Goal, passes coming off beautifully etc. All down to confidence.
A major part of getting confidence is having the managers faith & trust.
Both Babel & Auqa require this, yet he continues to place his trust in the likes of Luke the feking Arse, Kuyt, Insua.
[/quote]

Yup, I completely agree.

Although I would say Kuyt has earned a bit of faith from the manager, but certainly not the amount he's given.

And also that Babel should have done more with the limited performances that have been handed to him. Some of them have just been unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances, so he has to take his share of the blame too.