N'gog

[Buddha]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=35988.msg948792#msg948792 date=1253693841]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35988.msg948766#msg948766 date=1253691770]
They wouldn't get in the top fours but is it that cut and dried?

We used to moan about the goals burden on Gerrard, we now have Torres and we have players who will collectively carry us, proven last season when Gerrard and Torres were out for lengthy spells. Not that I'm saying I've got the upmost faith in what we've got, but as a collection of players who'll offer a contribution, it's not that bad.

Kuyt and Yossi look nailed on to get at least 10 each (more on current form) and if the likes of Wash can contribute a handful then I think Rafa's done a good job of getting the most from what he's got, we're still (at present) one of the top scoring teams in England and we look alot more cohesive than we have in recent years.

I don't want to get on Houllier's case but games like last night were often full of fringe players and reserves who could barely pass straight. How many players did we have on the fringe of things that hardly looked like footballers? At least last night, for all it's typical nervousness showed that we do have players waiting to come in who are footballers capable of playing some attractive stuff. [/quote]

I was thinking more or less the same last night mate.

It's now evident that not only our first XI has improved rapidly in the past years but also the squad in overall.

With Degen, Ngog, Aurelio, Babel, Kyrgiakos and Spearing all showing good signs last night - and having Agger and Aquilani back soon as well - things are starting to look bright.
[/quote]

You can add to that a whole clutch of promising kids coming through our revamped youth system.

Optimism abounds!

 

[darkstarexodus]

Just watched the clip of the goal and that really was a sublime first touch, turn and shot. I really wish the best for him and hope he continues to press on.

 

[Insignificance]

I dont rate him at all. I think he had a porr game until he scored yesterday.. And after the goal he looked lively, but hello. This is League 1 opposition and he was ordinary. Great touch before the goal.. But overall rubbish!

 

[Vlads Quiff]

N'gog looks like a footballer and does show some nice touches. He seems to have a decent attitude too, and gets on with things. He is certainly a better option than Voronin.
I can understand a slight turn in optimism about the lad, and I really hope he can build on this, but one swallow does not make a summer. The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.
Take it for what it is - a reasonably good game and possibly a springboard for him to show what he can do.
The reason why people have a "downer" on him is fairly obvious , he does not demonstrate his ability enough when he gets his chances. It's not really people being unfair or unreasonable, it's just people speaking how they see things. I am sure there is not a single person on this board that did not want him to be the next Anelka, and he isn't -yet anyway

regards

 

[gkmacca]

I know it sounds perverse, but he really should be playing like that more often for the reserves. I mean that he looked so much more powerful, confident and urgent yesterday than he usually does for the ressies, which begs the question of what he gets from those games. If he really powered on in his next few reserves outings (I know he doesn't always play for them these days, but still...) he'd surely get some goals and really start looking ready for action with the first team.

 

[Judge Jules]

We can't expect him to be the finished article at his age. He's shown me enough to convince me that he can kick on from here if he puts the work in and we handle him well.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=35988.msg948820#msg948820 date=1253695695]
We can't expect him to be the finished article at his age. He's shown me enough to convince me that he can kick on from here if he puts the work in and we handle him well.
[/quote]

I agree to an extent JJ, but he is 21 in April, not old by any stretch of the imagination, but in footballing terms it is the age where most top players have signaled their intent.

regards

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=35988.msg948807#msg948807 date=1253694747]
The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.

regards
[/quote]

Look Vlad, if you've been backing a duffer that most of the forum hates and he has a good match, you simply have to rub it in people's faces that you always liked him.

That's the rules.

It's telling that no-one is posting in this vein about Degen, who looked more than decent last night. Nobody has faith in the poor lad.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948791#msg948791 date=1253693688]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35988.msg948766#msg948766 date=1253691770]


Kuyt and Yossi look nailed on to get at least 10 each
[/quote]

coming around to my thinking at last marky? 😉
[/quote]

eh? I've never said otherwise :-\ You're argument was that Kuyt would easily outscore Yossi.

 

[Dahuge]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=35988.msg948807#msg948807 date=1253694747]
N'gog looks like a footballer and does show some nice touches. He seems to have a decent attitude too, and gets on with things. He is certainly a better option than Voronin.
I can understand a slight turn in optimism about the lad, and I really hope he can build on this, but one swallow does not make a summer. The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.
Take it for what it is - a reasonably good game and possibly a springboard for him to show what he can do.
The reason why people have a "downer" on him is fairly obvious , he does not demonstrate his ability enough when he gets his chances. It's not really people being unfair or unreasonable, it's just people speaking how they see things. I am sure there is not a single person on this board that did not want him to be the next Anelka, and he isn't -yet anyway

regards
[/quote]

Correctamundo, fully agree.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35988.msg948832#msg948832 date=1253697331]
[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=35988.msg948807#msg948807 date=1253694747]
The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.

regards
[/quote]

Look Vlad, if you've been backing a duffer that most of the forum hates and he has a good match, you simply have to rub it in people's faces that you always liked him.

That's the rules.

It's telling that no-one is posting in this vein about Degen, who looked more than decent last night. Nobody has faith in the poor lad.
[/quote]

There is a place, however limited, for precedent in such judgments, doc. N'gog has previously shown (to some of us at any rate) that he does have a bit about him. Degen's hardly played and has been poor when he did. Hats off to him for last night, his best showing in a Liverpool shirt by a country mile, but one swallow doth not a summer make.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=35988.msg948841#msg948841 date=1253697639]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35988.msg948832#msg948832 date=1253697331]
[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=35988.msg948807#msg948807 date=1253694747]
The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.

regards
[/quote]

Look Vlad, if you've been backing a duffer that most of the forum hates and he has a good match, you simply have to rub it in people's faces that you always liked him.

That's the rules.

It's telling that no-one is posting in this vein about Degen, who looked more than decent last night. Nobody has faith in the poor lad.
[/quote]

There is a place, however limited, for precedent in such judgments, doc. N'gog has previously shown (to some of us at any rate) that he does have a bit about him. Degen's hardly played and has been poor when he did. Hats off to him for last night, his best showing in a Liverpool shirt by a country mile, but one swallow doth not a summer make.
[/quote]


Hey, I want to make it abundantly clear that I don't have faith in him either. Just an observation.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35988.msg948832#msg948832 date=1253697331]
[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=35988.msg948807#msg948807 date=1253694747]
The clamour of "Ireallyknewhewasagoodplayerrightfromthestartbeforeanyoneelsesaidit" posts is a bit nauseous chaps.

regards
[/quote]

Look Vlad, if you've been backing a duffer that most of the forum hates and he has a good match, you simply have to rub it in people's faces that you always liked him.

That's the rules.

It's telling that no-one is posting in this vein about Degen, who looked more than decent last night. Nobody has faith in the poor lad.
[/quote]

Ha

Correct on both counts.
Interesting that you should mention Degan as well, it slipped past my comment too. Last night, and in his sub appearance against Burnley , he looked good going forward not the complete numpty we all (waits) believed.
Certainly far more like it that the clot on the other side (waits)

regards

JJ might break ranks here 😉

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=35988.msg948832#msg948832 date=1253697331]
It's telling that no-one is posting in this vein about Degen, who looked more than decent last night. Nobody has faith in the poor lad.
[/quote]

No! I won't have that! There's a lady in, er, Ostermundigen who always believed in the lad!

 

[Judge Jules]

Haha both of you. ;D

As it happens I don't rate Dossena any higher than Degen as a fullback. He might just have a part to play as a backup LM, but ideally I'd sell him. He needs to go back to Italy, where he did look like someone who could handle a back four spot.

 

[nealmac]

He had a good game, and it's certainly nice to have a couple of options up-front for a change.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35988.msg948833#msg948833 date=1253697387]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948791#msg948791 date=1253693688]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35988.msg948766#msg948766 date=1253691770]


Kuyt and Yossi look nailed on to get at least 10 each
[/quote]

coming around to my thinking at last marky? 😉
[/quote]

eh? I've never said otherwise :-\ You're argument was that Kuyt would easily outscore Yossi.
[/quote]

I meant two midfielders on double figures 🙂

 

[vantage]

I like N'gog. Check my previous posts. He's not the finished article but I have high(ish) hopes for him.

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948732#msg948732 date=1253686106]
I thought he was excellent as the loan striker and that was befoe he scored the winner.
[/quote]

He's not on loan, Neil. We bought him.

 

[dossena]

[quote author=Wilko7 link=topic=35988.msg949056#msg949056 date=1253716003]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948732#msg948732 date=1253686106]
I thought he was excellent as the loan striker and that was befoe he scored the winner.
[/quote]

He's not on loan, Neil. We bought him.
[/quote]
He meant lown.

 

[themn]

[quote author=refugee link=topic=35988.msg948721#msg948721 date=1253682702]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35988.msg948703#msg948703 date=1253677600]
Bubba the double-legged amputee from Forrest Gump
[/quote]

Go and watch Forrest Gump again


[/quote]

Ha, captured !

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=dossena link=topic=35988.msg949057#msg949057 date=1253716145]
[quote author=Wilko7 link=topic=35988.msg949056#msg949056 date=1253716003]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948732#msg948732 date=1253686106]
I thought he was excellent as the loan striker and that was befoe he scored the winner.
[/quote]

He's not on loan, Neil. We bought him.
[/quote]
He meant lown.
[/quote]

Lone

Third time's a charm.

 

[Judge Jules]

Quite, plus that was a neat "whoosh" by Wilko there.

 

[Mystic]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=35988.msg948703#msg948703 date=1253677600]
... Can play. I like him, and always have done. His first touch for that goal was TASHTY. The finish (without ever once looking at the goal or keeper you might have noticed) was decent-striker-alright material.

Also good to see the idea I floated on here a while back of ensuring our players get in the way of Mascherano's attempted shots to block them down paid off.

Anyway, I think a pecking order reshuffle is required - I'd have N'gog as first sub for Torres, Babel second, Bubba the double-legged amputee from Forrest Gump as third, with Voronin 4th if required.
[/quote]

Your thinking about Lieutenant Dan not Bubba, Bubba got shot and died, Lieutenant Dan got dragged out the jungle by Forest and had his legs removed. Everyone knows that.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

A very well taken goal last night from the young lad.

He definitely looks like he's got a fair bit stronger as well.

That's 3 of our youngsters that have played in the 1st team this season and have delivered the goods.

 

[Wilko7]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=35988.msg949064#msg949064 date=1253716828]
Quite, plus that was a neat "whoosh" by Wilko there.
[/quote]

Indeed, Jules. I knew it wouldn't get past you.

 

[Y1]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35988.msg949063#msg949063 date=1253716778]
[quote author=dossena link=topic=35988.msg949057#msg949057 date=1253716145]
[quote author=Wilko7 link=topic=35988.msg949056#msg949056 date=1253716003]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35988.msg948732#msg948732 date=1253686106]
I thought he was excellent as the loan striker and that was befoe he scored the winner.
[/quote]

He's not on loan, Neil. We bought him.
[/quote]
He meant lown.
[/quote]

Lone

Third time's a charm.
[/quote]

Coould it be lawn? 😉

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Benitez eager to see youngster develop at Anfield

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes David Ngog has a big role to play for the club this season following his winner against Leeds United last night. The Frenchman has found first-team opportunities hard to come by since joining the club from Paris St German in 2008, but Benitez believes the player is beginning to show his maturity.

Benitez told Sky Sports: “He is a young player, but he has quality,â€

“That is something we knew. He showed character.â€

“He was trying to keep the ball and get into positions. He was really tired at the end but he did a fantastic job.â€

“He knows the Premier League is very difficult but here he showed he can do it.â€

“Cup competitions are always very difficult. You have to win, everyone is working so hard.â€

“He is still a young player, he has quality.â

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Jesus, Rafa should just record himself doing interviews.
5 odd years of the EXACT same stuff.

 

[MaBigTip]

Its a great sign that everybody and their brother wanted to get N'gog on a loan this summer. We have a diamond in the rough here. Those who can't see the possibility of him becoming a real star for us is there are refusing to see what he has done for us. Could be a lot like Trez for us.

6 GS 16 subs 5 goals, and a very good statistic - he has scored in every competition he has played in for us.