Ryan Babel

[Woo]

He reminds me, just a bit, of John Barnes. He's not in Digger's league but they have similar characteristics.

 

Patrick mate, you need to lay off the weed :whistle:

[stringvest]

He reminds me, just a bit, of John Barnes. He's not in Digger's league but they have similar characteristics.

 

they're both black.

[theghost]

they're both black.

 

Oh my god, I wish I'd thought of that hilarious joke!

[stringvest]

I wish I could see another similarity..

[aladdinsane]

I don't think he's ever wanted to be a winger really and it shows in his enthusiasm (or lack of) at times playing there. His strengths (shooting, speed,directness) would be better suited up front than on the wing were his weaknesses (often poor first touch and inability to beat a man) are highlighted and stick out badly when he's having a poor game. Unfortunately, he's not the only player in the last few years who's been stuck out on the wing to try and solve a problem which could have been done better (and cheaper) by buying genuine wide men. I'm aware we've now bought Riera, a genuine winger, so let's hope he's a resounding success.

[alonso14]

That might be because he hardly got any games. When at City though he was consistently good.

 

Babel hasn't exactly played every game for us though either has he? I just can't see how anyone would want SWP (almost 27) over Babel (21). He lacks basic strength for starters.

[KevieG]

Babel hasn't exactly played every game for us though either has he? I just can't see how anyone would want SWP (almost 27) over Babel (21). He lacks basic strength for starters.

 

Babel is also stronger than Robben, Ronaldo, Joe Cunt, Robinho and Messi. :whistle:

Second touch is usually a tackle and lacks stamina despite being a horse of a lad and only 21, thats what I'd be concerned about

[WaltonRed]

Babs?

 

I stopped reading there

[alonso14]

Babel is also stronger than Robben, Ronaldo, Joe Cunt, Robinho and Messi. :whistle:

Second touch is usually a tackle and lacks stamina despite being a horse of a lad and only 21, thats what I'd be concerned about

 

Yeah, he's no Messi, but I was only pointing out that SWP lacks basic strength, not comparing him to the others. The point I was making was I'd prefer to have Babel over him. That's all.

Maybe Babel lacks stamina because he rarely plays the full 90 minutes. He only played 1420 league minutes for us last season, despite racking up 30 appearances.

[robslappa]

He reminds me, just a bit, of John Barnes. He's not in Digger's league but they have similar characteristics.

 

That has to be some sort of shit joke.

[silverlining]

I like Ryan Babel.

 

He scores goals, creates chances, and is quick and strong.

 

I think he did well last season and I'd hope that he can build on that this season.

 

I'd certainly try and find a spot for him in my team, and even though I'm a Dirk fan (sort of), he'd be the spot I'd giev to Babel.

 

Look at this in a 4-2-3-1:

 

 

-----Masher------------Gerrard----

 

Babel-----------Keane------------Riera

 

-----------------Torres---------------

 

Tell me that doesn't rock hard.

 

I am, of course, assuming that Benitez has finally managed to sign a wide player who:

 

a) actually is a wide player, and

b) isn't fucking shit.

[El Rojo]

He's got Digger's thighs, that's about it.

 

Big few months for the lad - he looked good in the Olympics for Holland and after a solid first season for us needs to really push on and show that he can be a match winner.

 

I reckon we might see him on the right more with the arrival of Riera.

[Anny Road]

I like Ryan Babel.

 

He scores goals, creates chances, and is quick and strong.

 

I think he did well last season and I'd hope that he can build on that this season.

 

I'd certainly try and find a spot for him in my team, and even though I'm a Dirk fan (sort of), he'd be the spot I'd giev to Babel.

 

Look at this in a 4-2-3-1:

 

 

-----Masher------------Gerrard----

 

Babel-----------Keane------------Riera

 

-----------------Torres---------------

 

Tell me that doesn't rock hard.

 

I am, of course, assuming that Benitez has finally managed to sign a wide player who:

 

a) actually is a wide player, and

b) isn't fucking shit.

 

-----Masher------------Barry----

 

Babel-----------Gerrard------------Riera

 

-----------------Torres---------------

 

Would rather have seen that.

[silverlining]

-----Masher------------Barry----

 

Babel-----------Gerrard------------Riera

 

-----------------Torres---------------

 

Would rather have seen that.

 

 

I dunno. Given the choice now between £18m on Barry or £20m on Keane, I'd have taken Keane.

 

I've always liked Robbie and we need more players to take the goalscoring pressure off T&G.

[Anny Road]

Its a close one but of late SG for me has been playing way too deep.

Id rather he was dictating in and around the oppos box than tacking the ball of the back 4.

Who knows? Keane may click and away we go. I hope so.

I do think his signing has blunted Gerrard who is arguabley our most potent attcking weapon. (excluding Torres of course who will play anyway)

[alonso14]

Its a close one but of late SG for me has been playing way too deep.Id rather he was dictating in and around the oppos box than tacking the ball of the back 4.

Who knows? Keane may click and away we go. I hope so.

I do think his signing has blunted Gerrard who is arguabley our most potent attcking weapon. (excluding Torres of course who will play anyway)

 

Agreed. He's more affective in the final third in my opinion.

[silverlining]

Its a close one but of late SG for me has been playing way too deep.

Id rather he was dictating in and around the oppos box than tacking the ball of the back 4.

Who knows? Keane may click and away we go. I hope so.

I do think his signing has blunted Gerrard who is arguabley our most potent attcking weapon. (excluding Torres of course who will play anyway)

 

Yeah, but look at it this way:

 

Gerrard doesn't like playing wide right. He doesn't appear to like playing TOO far advanced of the midfield (ie "second striker"). He doesn't really like playing as a holding midfielder.

He CONSTANTLY goes on about his preferred position being central midfield.

 

So let's stick him there all season, with Masher doing the the defensive work, and if he STILL has a cob-on at the end of it, there's no hope for him.

[Anny Road]

One thing is for sure and you are correct we needed another striker with Crouch going. Keane is a fine replacement I just don't see how he fits into a 4-2-3-1.

[silverlining]

One thing is for sure and you are correct we needed another striker with Crouch going. Keane is a fine replacement I just don't see how he fits into a 4-2-3-1.

 

 

Easily. Where I've put him.

[spider-neil]

digger made an excellent point about babel, in that he is playing in a struggling team and much more is expected of him, whereas the likes of nani and anderson are coming into a successful team where less is expected of them so the pressure on babel to be the finished article is greater.

[Anny Road]

Fullback---CH--------CH------Fullback

 

-----------------Masher------------

 

Babel-----------Gerrard------------Riera

 

--------------Keane--Torres---------------

 

I'd go with that at home anyway.

[El Rojo]

I dunno. Given the choice now between £18m on Barry or £20m on Keane, I'd have taken Keane.

 

I've always liked Robbie and we need more players to take the goalscoring pressure off T&G.

 

Difficult to see him taking any of that pressure off when he's playing everywhere but inside the opposition box. He'll be a quality replacement in his favourite position for Torres against United.

 

I wonder will we revert to 4-4-2 to accomodate him properly in some games?

[Ian Sea]

I wish I could see another similarity..

 

They've both got massive arses.

[stringvest]

thighs, arses... what's going on? Is it National Come Out Of The Closet Day?

[StevieH]

Ryan Babel (Quality Assist) V Australia | Kop-TV