Topic: Babel: I'm not finished here

[iamLIVERPOOLFC]

BABEL played well today because he wasn't stuck on the wing. he is a striker. he came out and did what was needed but you can see all of his strength and quality shown down the middle.

[downtown]

?
Babel is twice the player Ngog is. Really hope we don't sell him as given regular starts he will be a top player

Total rubbish. Just cause Ryan has had 2 good games, you don't have to slag Ngog off who's been even better.

[rowan_d]

                              Torres

Maxi*                    Gerrard              Babel


                    Meireles
                                    Lucas

Aurelio                                              Johnson
                   Agger       Skrtel

                           Reina

*On current form

Bollocks to worrying about the other team. Torres, Gerrard, an attacking Johnson, a free Meireles and Babel would make any back 4 shit themselves.

[Niru Red4ever]

Two consecutive starts and actually played well. I don't think we will have him for the long run, but atleast we should be able to recover his transfer fee.

[Didi_ram]

If he gets starts and does well,it can only be good for the team.He was brilliant yesterday and his finish immense.
If he stays in January and can offer this when given the chance,fine,really good.After his determined efforts in the past 5 days,he deserves to start more,and he definitely can do well if he conducts himself like this and plays with this mentality.
However,If the club is looking to sell him and his good shows can raise his transfer fee,fair enough.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

?
Babel is twice the player Ngog is. Really hope we don't sell him as given regular starts he will be a top player

Ngog was probably our best player yesterday (toss up between him and Lucas in all fairness).  He scored one and made another.  He was a constant threat.  Ryan did well and took his goal well, he was also guilty of getting caught offside rather too often.

[Ycuzz]

Ngog was probably our best player yesterday (toss up between him and Lucas in all fairness).  He scored one and made another.  He was a constant threat.  Ryan did well and took his goal well, he was also guilty of getting caught offside rather too often.

Agree with all of that.

I think Roy prefers Ngog as the target man over Babel. Mentioned this in another thread, there's a case to be made for putting Babel on the right. But I think Gerrard will pop back in the centre with Lucas and Meireles will be on the right.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Agree with all of that.

I think Roy prefers Ngog as the target man over Babel. Mentioned this in another thread, there's a case to be made for putting Babel on the right. But I think Gerrard will pop back in the centre with Lucas and Meireles will be on the right.

I fear you might be right, and Roy would deserve to be taken outside and punched in the head until he saw sense if he does that.  He has fortuitously stumbled on the answer in Lucas and Meireles in the middle. They have been the highlight for us in recent weeks. If he breaks that up then he is an even bigger idiot than I took him for.

[PJG]

I fear you might be right, and Roy would deserve to be taken outside and punched in the head until he saw sense if he does that.  He has fortuitously stumbled on the answer in Lucas and Meireles in the middle. They have been the highlight for us in recent weeks. If he breaks that up then he is an even bigger idiot than I took him for.

Well I wouldn't say he's an idiot, but rather that he's afraid to undermine the authority of "Captain Fantastic".  The fact that the roles in that sentence should be reversed shows the problem that we may potentially have. Of course, if he genuinely thinks that by replacing one of lucas or meireles in the middle with Gerrard makes the team better, then I'm inclined to agree with you say that he's a little bit too stubborn for his own good

[zero zero]

Ryan did well and took his goal well, he was also guilty of getting caught offside rather too often.

As he was for his goal

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

As he was for his goal

I almost added that but thought the Babelistas would say I was being mean. 

[mulfella]

He's utterly baffling, fantastic finish for the goal.

Contrast that with a couple of fascinating moments later in.

For the third goal, we break and Ngog out on the left, lifts his head and delivers a peach of a ball for Maxi to drive home.

Not too long afterwards, Babel is out on the left. First he tries to drive a cross in which had no chance of getting past the full back, luckily the ball bounces for him and he nips past the full back. Maxi is now in an identical position and just needs a gentle pull back. Instead Babel head down bumbles into a whole pile of players and the chance is gone.

[penga]

He's utterly baffling, fantastic finish for the goal.

Contrast that with a couple of fascinating moments later in.

For the third goal, we break and Ngog out on the left, lifts his head and delivers a peach of a ball for Maxi to drive home.

Not too long afterwards, Babel is out on the left. First he tries to drive a cross in which had no chance of getting past the full back, luckily the ball bounces for him and he nips past the full back. Maxi is now in an identical position and just needs a gentle pull back. Instead Babel head down bumbles into a whole pile of players and the chance is gone.

or u could pick out Ngog having the ball just past the centre circle, having the chance to play an easy diagonal short pass to put babel in for a 1v1 agaisnt a defender, instead he takes it backwards behind a defender who is behind him and passes the ball backwards and the move breaks down! amazing how we see things and dont see things for players we dont like or like!

[Chaztastic]

Ryan did well and took his goal well, he was also guilty of getting caught offside rather too often.

I can't remember the last time I saw one player get caught offside so frequently in one game since.... the 80s (probably... is it just me or do you hardly ever see it any more?). But I thought he looked the part last night which only adds to the mix of admiration and frustration.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

I can't remember the last time I saw one player get caught offside so frequently in one game since.... the 80s (probably... is it just me or do you hardly ever see it any more?). But I thought he looked the part last night which only adds to the mix of admiration and frustration.

You  must have missed Djibril Cisse's Liverpool career then mate. 

[jaffod]

I can't remember the last time I saw one player get caught offside so frequently in one game since.... the 80s (probably... is it just me or do you hardly ever see it any more?). But I thought he looked the part last night which only adds to the mix of admiration and frustration.

You must have been asleep when Cisse was here. 

[mulfella]

or u could pick out Ngog having the ball just past the centre circle, having the chance to play an easy diagonal short pass to put babel in for a 1v1 agaisnt a defender, instead he takes it backwards behind a defender who is behind him and passes the ball backwards and the move breaks down! amazing how we see things and dont see things for players we dont like or like!

Not sure that stands - i've given credit where its due and picked a moment where there is a direct comparison to how another player dealt with a similar situation.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

"I have never written Ryan off and his chances have been limited because we have Torres, Ngog and also Gerrard" he said.

"The competition is fierce but I've never written him off and have also accepted his claim that he prefers and is better playing in a central position, rather than being forced to play out wide.

"We have worked with him in training. He did well in Bucharest last week and when Torres was unable to play tonight I had no hesitation in putting him in the team, because by doing that I could keep the same shape I've had in recent weeks, and it's a shape I think is serving the club well.

"The good thing was Babel got his goal and it was a good finish. When you come into the team after a long absence a goal settles you down.

"He knows he did well against Steaua and of course the goal tonight gave him extra confidence and I was delighted with the way he and Ngog played together."

Very interesting points by Roy, so it seems we are going to stay with 4-4-2, Babel will be playing as a striker and Gerrard will also play as a striker when he gets back into the team

[Fuzion6]

I think Roy was saying Gerrard can play as a forward. I think we will see 4-4-2 but Gerrard will be in the midfield and Babel/Ngog fighting or rotating for the position next to Torres. What I found more interesting was no mention of Cole who he previously mentioned as a forward....

[El Rey, por favor]

I can't remember the last time I saw one player get caught offside so frequently in one game since.... the 80s (probably... is it just me or do you hardly ever see it any more?). But I thought he looked the part last night which only adds to the mix of admiration and frustration.

3 Time he was caught offside. Groundbreaking :S

[Yakyb]

Best game Babel has played for us. Hope he gets the chance to build on that.

Nah

he tore Real a new one when we beat them 4-0

any one have a vid of his goal / celebration

[Spectre]

"I have never written Ryan off and his chances have been limited because we have Torres, Ngog and also Gerrard" he said.

"The competition is fierce but I've never written him off and have also accepted his claim that he prefers and is better playing in a central position, rather than being forced to play out wide.

"We have worked with him in training. He did well in Bucharest last week and when Torres was unable to play tonight I had no hesitation in putting him in the team, because by doing that I could keep the same shape I've had in recent weeks, and it's a shape I think is serving the club well.

"The good thing was Babel got his goal and it was a good finish. When you come into the team after a long absence a goal settles you down.

"He knows he did well against Steaua and of course the goal tonight gave him extra confidence and I was delighted with the way he and Ngog played together."

Very interesting points by Roy, so it seems we are going to stay with 4-4-2, Babel will be playing as a striker and Gerrard will also play as a striker when he gets back into the team

Very canny observation , no one spotted that.

The implications of that are quite good as far as the Lucas and meireles partnership is concerned if Gerrard is going to play as a second striker as he did under Rafa.

[penga]

Doesn't sound too good for Babel then lol. Hopefully Roy still sees value playing him RW over the likes of Kuyt (in terrible form) or Meireles zzz...doubt it.

[Fuzion6]

Babel is certainly more threatening then Ngog although David is better at hold up play

[Chaztastic]

You  must have missed Djibril Cisse's Liverpool career then mate. 

You must have been asleep when Cisse was here. 

Ah, touché. How easily one forgets....

3 Time he was caught offside. Groundbreaking :S

But not defence-breaking, sadly. (Does your tally include the goal?)

He did play well though.

[jolabode]

He's utterly baffling, fantastic finish for the goal.

Contrast that with a couple of fascinating moments later in.

For the third goal, we break and Ngog out on the left, lifts his head and delivers a peach of a ball for Maxi to drive home.

Not too long afterwards, Babel is out on the left. First he tries to drive a cross in which had no chance of getting past the full back, luckily the ball bounces for him and he nips past the full back. Maxi is now in an identical position and just needs a gentle pull back. Instead Babel head down bumbles into a whole pile of players and the chance is gone.
[/quote]

Oh, our fantastic Torres doesn't run down a blind alley from time to time.  That is the trouble with how people judge Ryan - he's never cut any slack.  Everything he does wrong is magnified.  Times when he doesn't play for a few games and then comes on for 10 min and he's suppose to be fantastic.

How about a similar ball that he played to Joe Cole last week probably easier to score than the Maxi goal but why do we want to pick out anything positive about the lad.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

I don't mind if Babel doesn't start every game so long and he gets 25 mins there about. However I would like him to try putting a little pressure on Torres.

[Ultimate Bromance]

We all know that once we have everyone fit and available, it's highly unlikely Babel's going to be in the starting XI, certainly not in his preferred role up front anyway.

He's been given a couple of opportunities in a row, and done well, but the next challenge will be whether or not he can bottle up performances like these and produce when he's forced to play out wide, or comes on as an impact sub in the last 30 minutes or so with a game on the line, or if being demoted back to the bench will sap him of all the confidence he's gained.

[penga]

You hope he will get like 25-30mins as a sub but again I doubt Roy is going to do that. Usually doesn't sub that early especially an attackin sub (on the odd occasion N'gog has been the exception)

This season Babel had only played 52 minutes in the EPL from 5 sub appearances even though he did well in all of them (City, Everton, Stoke, West Ham) 5th was a 2 minute appearance against WBA so ye.

[jolabode]

We all know that once we have everyone fit and available, it's highly unlikely Babel's going to be in the starting XI, certainly not in his preferred role up front anyway.

He's been given a couple of opportunities in a row, and done well, but the next challenge will be whether or not he can bottle up performances like these and produce when he's forced to play out wide, or comes on as an impact sub in the last 30 minutes or so with a game on the line, or if being demoted back to the bench will sap him of all the confidence he's gained.

With El Nino's injury record, I can see N'gog and Babel getting more playing time to develop their partnership.

[milankakabaros]

His goal last night.

http://www.footylounge.com/films//liverpool-aston-villa-highlights-06122010/ryan-babel-2-0-video_9bfcbf648.html

Keep it up Babel

[Spanish Al]

Didnt mention this last night but he made 3 or 4 quality flicks. And also won a fair few headers which is good considering that is his weakest point. No point rushing Gerrard back against Newcastle, let him start from the bench. Bring Torres in for Kuyt and put Babel on the right.

[U13]

Oh, our fantastic Torres doesn't run down a blind alley from time to time.  That is the trouble with how people judge Ryan - he's never cut any slack.  Everything he does wrong is magnified.  Times when he doesn't play for a few games and then comes on for 10 min and he's suppose to be fantastic.

How about a similar ball that he played to Joe Cole last week probably easier to score than the Maxi goal but why do we want to pick out anything positive about the lad.

Exactly, I love Nando but he runs into a crowd of players when better options are available at least once a game.

Every time Babel tries something that doesn't come off his detractors put it under the microscope no mater what took place in the same game.

The finish for the goal was class, makes me laugh that some people have questioned his technical and finishing abilities. More starts please.

[stevied]

I will hold my hands up and say well done Babel, i thought that was his best game for a long time, yes i am aware that he started and that he had a good 90 minutes, he at least showed desire and enthusiasm, keep it up and you may start more often

[Discipline]

I wanted him gone, but the last couple of games has told me otherwise. If he keeps playing, determined and doing well, I'd actually make him a starter.

[SamiSamiHyypia]

I'm desperate for him to do well and he really is running out of time to prove his worth.

I know he's going to go somewhere for £8m and become a world beater, he's had that written all over him since the beginning of his second season.

Can't help thinking he's deliberately screwing with me though. Had finally lost faith in him and then he comes out with a couple of solid performances. I know he usually only gets 10-15mins but that isn't because of some Russo-Qatari conspiracy, he just hasn't grabbed the opportunities he's been given.

Fingers crossed that will finally change!

[sattapaartridge]

A couple of days ago, one of his twitter fans started tweeting links to YouTube of Ryan Babel's past goals and play. They also wanted him to celebrate in the way he did before he was told off by Rafa.

Him watching them and hearing these things may have given him a lift before the match, and definitely the reason why he celebrated in such a fashion.

[theblackhumor]

He certainly looked confident out there against villa and it showed in his performance. It's true that Villa are on a bad form, but getting a goal and dribbling past defenders like Babel had done today can boost confidence that much more. The fact that Villa on paper are a decent side would also boost his confidence.

Of course many here write him off for his lack of game intelligence and that his play is still very "raw". I liked seeing him and N'gog as they seem to compliment each other as N'gog is more intelligent with the ball and babel is the more skillful one. The thing is both aren't in the class of Torres (at the moment only I hope) so they may actually be less pressured when they don't have to partner him.

I fear that because Torres is such a good player that his partner has to also be on the same level in order for the partnership to work. Torres may be making a terrific run but the pass has to be inch perfect to pull the play off. This is where having Stevie partnering makes a world of difference to our attack.

[Red in Korea]

Oh, our fantastic Torres doesn't run down a blind alley from time to time.  That is the trouble with how people judge Ryan - he's never cut any slack.  Everything he does wrong is magnified.  Times when he doesn't play for a few games and then comes on for 10 min and he's suppose to be fantastic.

If he scored as many as Torres he would be cut as much slack, believe me.

[U13]

If he scored as many as Torres he would be cut as much slack, believe me.

The point is he scored a goal last night that would have had some people stroking themselves if it had been Nando yet some people are focusing on a passage of play that broke down because he made a wrong decision.

Nando inevitably makes mistakes in games that he scores in but people don't go on about a missed chance or misplaced pass.