Riera. Again.

[Guest LFD]

He's a decent player but his most important contribution is providing us with natural balance and width.

 

Agreed.

 

When we reached 82 points under Benitez, we had Gerrard on the right and Kewell on the left. It was about the only time we kept Kewell fit for a large percentage of games.

 

But Kewell was nothing but decent. He kept the ball and used it well. But as you mention with Riera, he gave the team balance.

 

It's an underated point and the team does have a nice balance to it at the moment.

[RedKnight]

In reality, I think he's a solid left winger who gives us a bit of balance. He's never going to be the top player we need, or want him to be, but he could be useful in moving the side up the table.

[Benitaur]

In fairnes to Benitaur, I don't think he was saying Riera is like Zidane, ability wise, I took him to mean that he reckons that Zidane would look lightweight in The Prem.

 

I was just responding to another poster who said that Reira reminded him of Figo. IMO he is closer to Zidane, not in overall ability and class, but in style. He has the same calmness on the ball, with the split second dribbles to keep the ball just barely out of the opponent's reach and leaving them for dead, and a relaxed running style with the ball. His passing and shooting still needs work though.

 

Zidane would never have struggled in England.

 

IMO he would. But I think he has in his prime enough class to eventually adept.

 

I read that at one stage there was a dispute among the Arsenal players and Zidane in the France dressing room. The Arsenal players wanted to play a faster pace to make full use of Henry's speed, while Zidane preferred his own slower style, and the team was built around him at the time.

 

So if Zidane did come to England, he would take some time to adept his style for a faster game. Or maybe only if he joined Arsenal?

[Thants]

Played well I thought. A very good signing.

[Elite]

He's a handy player to have in the side. It's all about the balance baby.

[A_S]

I'd cut him some slack. Given that in his first handful of games he has played against the Mancs, a CL game away and a derby, I think he has done quite well for himself. He is going to terrorise a team who is questionable down their right side one day, I feel it.

[Guest LFD]

I'd cut him some slack. Given that in his first handful of games he has played against the Mancs, a CL game away and a derby

 

and Stoke.

[A_S]

and Stoke.

 

Just saying that he's come into this team on the back of a number of pretty tough games and has been ok. And the Stoke game was just the Stoke game, he certainly wasn't the only one a bit off his game.

[Red Nick]

Your a fucking hard bunch to please

 

What Riera brings to the team over someone like Babel is Technical abillity, ie abillity to trap a ball, pass a football and cross as well as the abillity go past players. He's no world beater but he is easily the best winger weve had under Rafa. Now if Kuyt had Reira's abillity matched to his own he would be some bloodly player and more to the point it all the midfield and offensive players has Reira's technical abillity we could play pass n move football and actually keep the ball.

 

Reira's arrival does however bring big question marks over Babel who is now most defo not a first teamer.

[StevieH]

Your a fucking hard bunch to please

 

What Riera brings to the team over someone like Babel is Technical abillity, ie abillity to trap a ball, pass a football and cross as well as the abillity go past players. He's no world beater but he is easily the best winger weve had under Rafa. Now if Kuyt had Reira's abillity matched to his own he would be some bloodly player and more to the point it all the midfield and offensive players has Reira's technical abillity we could play pass n move football and actually keep the ball.

 

Reira's arrival does however bring big question marks over Babel who is now most defo not a first teamer.

 

Babel would be ideal in Kuyt's role down the right hand side & he could switch flanks with Riera occasionally too.

[Thants]

Babel would be ideal in Kuyt's role down the right hand side & he could switch flanks with Riera occasionally too.

 

But obviously he's not because Dirk forever gets chosen before him.

Who was part of the play for the two goals? Dirk, dragging lescott across to make space for Torres and then a 1-2 with Keane that ended up on Torres boot.

Thats why Rafa loves him.

And me (if you hadnt gathered).

[Red Nick]

But obviously he's not because Dirk forever gets chosen before him.

Who was part of the play for the two goals? Dirk, dragging lescott across to make space for Torres and then a 1-2 with Keane that ended up on Torres boot.

Thats why Rafa loves him.

And me (if you hadnt gathered).

 

Kuyt was superb yesterday

 

Cant believe I typed that!

[Red Nick]

Babel has no future in the LFC first team (when everyones fit) whilst we play 4-4-2.

 

You could play him and Reira in 4-2-3-1 but not in 4-4-2 with Reira.

 

Love or loathe Kuyt he brings balance to a team in a 4-4-2 a bit like Ray Parlour did for Arsenal in Wengers first title team. because they wanted to give overmars the freedom to go and beat teams.

 

We would be too defensively suspect with Babel and Reira on the flanks.

 

 

Maybe against a team like stoke who put 11 players behind the ball you could do it.

 

Babel is now an impact player and Robbie Keane´s understudy.

[CWD82]

Babel has no future in the LFC first team (when everyones fit) whilst we play 4-4-2.

 

You could play him and Reira in 4-2-3-1 but not in 4-4-2 with Reira.

 

Love or loathe Kuyt he brings balance to a team in a 4-4-2 a bit like Ray Parlour did for Arsenal in Wengers first title team. because they wanted to give overmars the freedom to go and beat teams.

 

We would be too defensively suspect with Babel and Reira on the flanks.

 

 

Maybe against a team like stoke who put 11 players behind the ball you could do it.

 

Babel is now an impact player and Robbie Keane´s understudy.

As you would expect from a 21 year old £10m signing. He would always be the understudy to the older more pricey strikers we hae in the side.

 

Babel will also play a fair few games on the left aswell.

 

It's not so black and white

[Guest LFD]

I don't see why people are writing off Babel.

 

He'll get plenty of games this season and he's already made key contributions this season.

[Section_31]

Got skill and seems quite strong too, promissing signing, will take a while for us to see the best of him though I reckon. Nice to have someone who actually 'wants' to play wide though.

 

It's all good fun

[Unrighteous]

Babel will probably start v PSV.

[Section_31]

Isn't Babel right-footed? Should give him a runout down the right instead.

[Nick Leeson]

Just how long exactly does it take to reach whatever level of fitness is required by a professional footballer?

 

Riera has well-exceeded my expectations but as has been noted, his fitness is a bit lacking. Does a footballer's fitness level drop so dramatically from not playing for a few weeks during the summer? I mean they should still be pretty damn fit. Nevertheless, he's been here 4 weeks now so how long exactly should it take for him to be capable of playing for 90 minutes?

[Red Nick]

Isn't Babel right-footed? Should give him a runout down the right instead.

 

Unless its hull at home dont see Rafa starting with Reira and Babel. However could see him trying babel on the right and putting Kuyt or Aurellio on the Left

[Guest TK-421]

 

Riera has well-exceeded my expectations but as has been noted, his fitness is a bit lacking. Does a footballer's fitness level drop so dramatically from not playing for a few weeks during the summer? I mean they should still be pretty damn fit. Nevertheless, he's been here 4 weeks now so how long exactly should it take for him to be capable of playing for 90 minutes?

 

This situation isn't unique to Riera. Lots of new signings are eased into the team, like Keane who hasn't completed 90 mins and was left out against Marseille.

[Nick Leeson]

He does look tired though (Riera), I just wonder how long should it take to regain full fitness. It's not like he's had any injuries that I know of.

 

If a player doesn't play or train for 6 weeks, what level does their fitness drop to and how long does it take to regain that?

 

It's an honest question; I'm not having a dig at the pattern on Rafa's tie.

[Section_31]

Unless its hull at home dont see Rafa starting with Reira and Babel. However could see him trying babel on the right and putting Kuyt or Aurellio on the Left

 

I think we could get away with it if we're just playing one up front. A central midfield of three with Masch, Alonso and Gerrard would provide adequate cover IMO.

 

Possibilities.

[Guest TK-421]

He does look tired though (Riera), I just wonder how long should it take to regain full fitness. It's not like he's had any injuries that I know of.

 

If a player doesn't play or train for 6 weeks, what level does their fitness drop to and how long does it take to regain that?

 

It's an honest question; I'm not having a dig at the pattern on Rafa's tie.

 

Maybe he's not used to the pace and demands of playing in the Premier League and playing for Rafa. I don't know the answer to the questions, Les.

[Nick Leeson]

Maybe he's not used to the pace and demands of playing in the Premier League and playing for Rafa. I don't know the answer to the questions, Les.

Nit-Nerrr!