Topic: Daniel is he really ready yet? A lot of us seem to think he is.

[El Denzel Pepito]

Made up for him!

[sattapaal]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

[USC19Babel]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

You can't be serious.

[Tepid water]

You can't be serious.

That's mescaline for you.

[macmanamanaman]

i think he is not ready yet

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

If he isnt't ready for us yet, neither is Kuyt. I think Dirk needs to learn his trade some more in the reserves until he is ready. Looks good though. With time, maturity will come, his passing game will improve, his tactical awareness will improve and Kuyt will become ready to be a starter. As it is, I think an extended spell on the bench and a few 5 min spells at the end of games will do his confidence a world of good, while also giving him invaluable learning experience...

[Obviously]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

He will be less effective than he is in the Arsenal team, but he would still be a great player for us. Our off the ball movement has to be among the worst in the league.

[gallden]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

The best post on RAWK I've ever seen.

[Lent§]

Certainly warrants a regular place on the bench, with 15-20min spells. Good impact tonight.

[SkyBlueRed]

There may be a game ready for him to start, that's up for debate but it certainly isn't Man City this weekend.

[Lent§]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

If you put Fabregas in our team, on current form he'd be the best player we have, by a mile.

[Jonny-LFC]

So happy for the lad, loved his massive hug on David

[Paul JH]

Here's hoping Rafa gets past his reluctance to blood some of the young lads (he did it with Ngog so why not Daniel?) and he gets a lot more chances. Simply looks lively, pacy and confident. And liveliness and pace is something we haven't had many times this year.

[Andy]

i think he is not ready yet.

based on what?

[HiroProtagonist]

based on what?

Based on him being a tosser, obviously.

[emrolfc]

not that i'm drooling over but that assist was something. it was headed to bounce of the ground and onto ngog's forhead.  That's weird shit. It's almost like, dare I say, BASKETBALL!

[PaulMcC]

He shouldn't be playing wide. It'll do him no favours.

[Paul JH]

not that i'm drooling over but that assist was something. it was headed to bounce of the ground and onto ngog's forhead.  That's weird shit. It's almost like, dare I say, BASKETBALL!

I think you're overplaying it there mate.

[Lent§]

He shouldn't be playing wide. It'll do him no favours.

Rafa in playing people out of position shock horror!

[Paul JH]

He shouldn't be playing wide. It'll do him no favours.

Well, when we regularly have right wingers left wing, strikers right wing, strikers left wing, left backs left wing, right backs right wing, midfielders up top, centre backs at right back, it's not much of a shock. When he came on, seeing him stuck out wide just looked normal to me under Rafa.

[Mr_Miyagi]

He shouldn't be playing wide. It'll do him no favours.

Agree with you there, in the reserves he was played out wide in a few games and struggled to get into the games. He's a completely different prospect in the middle.

[Derzyjudek]

If you watch him closely you can tell he learned his football at Barcelona,always taking up clever positions,always looking for the give and go,unfortunately we dont have many others on that wavelength.

[emrolfc]

I think you're overplaying it there mate.
[/quote

That just might be the case, but I still think it was a great assist. Just like the recent Aquilani's one. Only slightly better

[Paul JH]

That just might be the case, but I still think it was a great assist. Just like the recent Aquilani's one. Only slightly better

Agree with you to be honest. For a young lad, he knew were Ngog was and put it on a plate for him. Looks good already.

[Spammy]

Now he's probably going to be dropped back in the ressies for 5 weeks. Our weaknesses tonight were so obvious, as soon as two players with some actual footballing ability came on they combined to create a tap in for Ngog. One worrying thing is that he chose to play Dirk off the front man and stick Dani out wide, Dirk is useless in the hole and it's Pacheco's natural position..anyway it paid off I guess.

[Koplass]

Here's hoping Rafa gets past his reluctance to blood some of the young lads (he did it with Ngog so why not Daniel?)

I wouldn't say Rafa's been reluctant, you mention Ngog, he's also given Insua, Lucas, Spearing, Darby and Kelly games. I think we'll see Pacheco getting quite a few cameos now which should develop into starts, that seems to be how Rafa works with youngsters he rates and the statement this week about Dani's potential shows Rafa's feelings on the boy.

[tboz]

The guy has to get some regular appearance, he is at the right age to tell whether he is going to make it or not now.

If your trying to develop a youngster why play him out of position, give him the best opportunity to shine in his comfort zone, Ngog is stranded at times if pacheco is will to play off him that gives him service and the defense something else to worry about, may even free up gerrard.
 
Hope Benitez starts to show faith in him.

[Paul JH]

I wouldn't say Rafa's been reluctant, you mention Ngog, he's also given Insua, Lucas, Spearing, Darby and Kelly games.

Fair point mate. I suppose I mean in bigger games, rather than just Carling cup or Europa home games if you see what I mean?

[timbo]

simple
he's not knockin them in in training
if he was doin Carra every other go at training Rafa would have him in
simple

however
doin well -- I can't wait etc but unless you've been lookin over the wall at melwood for the last few months how can you say rafa's not giving him a chance etc

think he's done really well and looks better against 1st time defenders than reserves(does that make sense?)
I think they are really worried
some time on Sun would be great
but Rafa will know, not me

[Seebab]

Now he's probably going to be dropped back in the ressies for 5 weeks. Our weaknesses tonight were so obvious, as soon as two players with some actual footballing ability came on they combined to create a tap in for Ngog. One worrying thing is that he chose to play Dirk off the front man and stick Dani out wide, Dirk is useless in the hole and it's Pacheco's natural position..anyway it paid off I guess.

Quick. We need to get rid of Rafa ASAP and get this guy in. He seems to know what he's talking about.

[Kals]

If you watch him closely you can tell he learned his football at Barcelona,always taking up clever positions,always looking for the give and go,unfortunately we dont have many others on that wavelength.

Hmm, just where my thoughts are too.

We could do with more players like him, in a few more positions. He sticks out like a sore thumb in the surroundings of all the other players. Majority of them tonight failed to be on his understanding.

Looking at the injured players to come back, Benayoun is someone who i can see linking up with him well, and even Johnson would benefit with him around. Torres not so much.

Really wish Rafa would give him the minutes he got tonight, in PL games too come. Doubt it though.

[conman]

I think that assist will give the lad a lotta confidence, and fair deuce to him... the boy done well tonight..
we are a goal the better for his contribution

[koppite118]

Young Danny and babel made the difference but surely Rafa this kid has quality...

[jckliew]

Daniel did in the few minutes he was on what Kyut couldnt in the whole match!

[Kals]

The cheer from the crowd when he came on said it all.....

Unlock the key from his chain, Rafa.

[kiNki]

the fucking cheer for the lad when he was brought on was brilliant and said alot.  His introduction has been long overdue especially in consideration of the shite performances served up from others. 

[Aristotle]

I was shocked when he headed the ball to Ngog. If I was in that position, I would've headed the ball on goal. But I suppose that's why he's a professional footballer (or the fact that I'm a central defender, with a nearly ruined knee and a complete lack of talent )

[gomez]

Made up for the lad, gonna be special this kid.

[Carlito Roberto]

although he made the assist, i think he is not ready yet, but that might be due to him being incompatible with other players on the pitch.

if you put fabregas inour team, he will not have much success.

wtf?

[TLT]

Not sure how it played on the tv, but one thing I noticed straight away, was how much he wanted the ball.

Now any young kid is going to be like that. Of course he wants to get involved, who wouldn't? But he had his hand up every time. He was peeling off into space, making runs and moves.

It was so refreshing to see.

I am sure he will play a role for us until the end of the season. Bread him into the first team squad on a more regular basis, and see what happens.

[Gnurglan]

Very good for him to get an assist! Will do his confidence no harm. His awareness created a winning goal tonigh. Exactly the type of stuff you'd want him to show!

Let's just remember that he's making his first few games. He's getting a taste of the action and he seems to cope well with the demands. Which of course is great. But he has a long, long way to go still in his development. Patience is needed along with the praise.