Topic: Maxi Rodriguez song and praise

[Fuzion6]

Yup I had the 88 team in mind when I was writing that...Kuyt and Maxi are very Kuyt like. Traditionally we have had hard workers on that right side - Craig Johnston, Houghton, Sammy Lee etc and on the left there was a bit more creativity and flair...Barnes, Whelan etc.

[the_red_pill]

Yup I had the 88 team in mind when I was writing that...Kuyt and Maxi are very Kuyt like. Traditionally we have had hard workers on that right side - Craig Johnston, Houghton, Sammy Lee etc and on the left there was a bit more creativity and flair...Barnes, Whelan etc.

I agree with you and barnsey. Although I'd say Maxi has better control and technique than Kuyt. But yes, like Kuyt, he can hold up the ball and apply pressure.

[DanA]

I've been quite impressed with some of the things Maxi has done. His crossing and touch is a level above anybody else we have on the right side. I don't like him as much on the left though as his crossing is not a weapon there.

I'd play him as a regular on the right side ahead of Kuyt at the moment. Although Kuyt has had a few good games this season most of them have been as a CF.

Right side is solid as far as I'm concerned, if Jovanovich can be the answer on the left it could be our attack sorted.   

[beardsley4ever]

Sorry mate, your statement implies this and so I ask: Who would you consistently give a game to at the moment because the way they have played can be classified as "well" then?

If no one is playing particularly well, then you have to mix it up.  But to keep Maxi on for the full 75-90 minutes in every game since he's been here just seems odd to me given the way he's played.  Aquilani hasn't been afforded that opportunity.  Babel has never had it.  Etc etc.  So I'm perplexed as to why Maxi gets it, because it certaily can't be a function of how he's played.

But anyway, in Rafa I trust, so I'm there is a reason but I'm struggling to see it.

[the_red_pill]

I'll defend this lad, because I appreciate his efforts and I think we've got a solid/reliable and skillfull player. Yes, I may be labeled the latest Kuyt/Maxi-whore, but I see his contribution amidst this madness. It's unfair that he's not being noticed while the likes of Babel, Kuyt and Yossi get shouts for doing bugger-all in these last few games('though Babel has performed a bit).

I still cannot believe that a player that has created a vital penalty out of bugger-all, delivered 2 on-the-plate cutbacks(after getting in behind the defense and the recipients were 1v1- and toe-to-toe- against the keeper- not his fault Torres and Ngog didn't have their boots on, he did what he was paid to do); has provided 2 good penetrating crosses/passes(just needed finishing touches), almost got on the scoresheet by getting himself into a good position(slipped in unnoticed on his debut) right next to the keeper, but ended up kicking the ball against the upper post(his debut in English football- I can excuse him), has not had more encouragement. Against Wigan, before Aqua came on, he was basically the only way we managed to get the ball out of our own half and traverse the midfield(apart form the hoofs) and he managed pretty well.

Instead, he looks ignored.
If he was a player who had arrived as a complete package- seasons in English football, familiar with English culture, had a "social- and support- network"(hate these bloody 'nice' 90's phrases), had been confident enough with the language, expressions, the teams and some of their styles of play, the league, refs, a few league clashes against us as rivals; then I would say he has not done well, but hell, the lad does not have that advantage and he has already done he's fair share in the last few games. If one or 2 of those chances were put away(they were sitters), we wouldn't have heard the end of it. The fact those chances were not put away cannot be billed to him- except his own missed sitter.

What's encouraging about all these chances and half chances are that in almost all of them, he has done his job and provided the final pass/cross(signed, sealed delivered, just needs a tap-in) and they were not once-offs, they were spread over his appearances. He's done decent and consistent, IMO and deserves a run. If everybody else can up their game, his contribution would become clear. I believe.

[DanA]

If I had my way the team coming home for the season would have Aquilani, Babel & Maxi playing week in week out. They've probably been our best performers since christmas (other than Reina & Mascherano) when they've been on the pitch.

[Madagascherano]

Would like to see him and Aquilani start tonight. Doubt we'll see it though.

[the_red_pill]

If no one is playing particularly well, then you have to mix it up.  But to keep Maxi on for the full 75-90 minutes in every game since he's been here just seems odd to me given the way he's played.  Aquilani hasn't been afforded that opportunity.  Babel has never had it.  Etc etc.  So I'm perplexed as to why Maxi gets it, because it certaily can't be a function of how he's played.

But anyway, in Rafa I trust, so I'm there is a reason but I'm struggling to see it.

Okay, I agree with you there then. He should at least get some playing(subs, starts-with-subs) time in each or most games. But yes, he couldn't be expected to play 90 minutes in most/all games.

[the_red_pill]

If I had my way the team coming home for the season would have Aquilani, Babel & Maxi playing week in week out. They've probably been our best performers since christmas (other than Reina & Mascherano) when they've been on the pitch.

I agree with you Dan. Babel has been inconsistent, but has contributed with goals and assists but we all know he is a confidence player, so I would also have him in my time, if I had my wish. I'd sub Maxi from time to time, but he will play in every game.

[Tigerheart]

To be fair, I would be happy if we used the left wing for a flair guy (Babel with Riera coming in at times) and the right wing for the solid worker (Kuyt and Maxi rotating).

Agree.

[Uhoh AureliOs]

Another decent performance from Maxi. With Johnson, Aquilani and Torres around him he facilitates some tasty one touch footy down the right.

[mariov77]

I do agree. With the team today he was very very good.

[Beninger]

He did very well.  Got involved quite a bit.  He is progressively getting better each match he plays.

[Robbo1980]

Very good tonight, linked well with the team

[RyanBabel19]

Very good today, nice composed play for the assist and involved in alot of our best play going forward.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

to think we sold voronin for cash and got maxi for free

[scatman]

Not really, its just you lot havent been watching our games properly and been looking for scapegoats, he's always played well. His movement has always been great, he's always looked for the ball on that right hand side and has always interlinked well. That was his 3rd assist of the season, and he should have had about 5 others as well if not for shit finishing by Torres and Ngog. He's actually added something to our game but not been noticed and Rafa's been criticised for playing, he adds unbelievable fluidity to our game.

[djphal]

Not really, its just you lot havent been watching our games properly and been looking for scapegoats, he's always played well. His movement has always been great, he's always looked for the ball on that right hand side and has always interlinked well. That was his 3rd assist of the season, and he should have had about 5 others as well if not for shit finishing by Torres and Ngog. He's actually added something to our game but not been noticed and Rafa's been criticised for playing, he adds unbelievable fluidity to our game.

correct

all you idiots that wrote him off after 2 games should hang your heads in shame

[torres09]

Thought he done well tonight. His touch is very good and he gets into some good positions,his best is yet to come.

[scatman]

Thought he done well tonight. His touch is very good and he gets into some good positions,his best is yet to come.

That I agree on, him and Torres seemed to link up well, i think him and Johnson are still trying to develop and understanding but Johnno's good enough and quick enough sometimes to make Maxi's mind up for him! Aquilani always looked for the quick give and go's off him and it worked a treat.

[Chakan]

Put in a good shift was well impressed

[quinny]

Looked very good tonight, earned a start for Lille imo (although I can see Rafa swapping him for Kuyt).

[its cold in the stands]

correct

all you idiots that wrote him off after 2 games should hang your heads in shame

i have aimed a few sarky comments at him and to be fair to him he had a good game tonight.
it`s amazing how much better he looks with a few more attack minded players around him.
the same could be said about torres, gerrard, babel, aquilani etc as well, it`s not rocket science, get more footballers on the pitch instead of workhorses and we`ll actually start to play a bit of footy.
if the defense have to scramble every now and then so be it.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Looked very good tonight, earned a start for Lille imo (although I can see Rafa swapping him for Kuyt).

he's cuptied

[DangerScouse]

Would like to see him and Aquilani start tonight. Doubt we'll see it though.

   

Thought Maxi's all round play was great in the first half particularly and what a fucking fantastic ball over the top for Aquilani's volley aswell.

[Fuzion6]

He is better going forward than Kuyt and with a decent work-rate...really understands the game well. I think he is an ideal complement to Babel on the other wing.

[Juan Loco]

He was bang on in the first half. Has that same quality that Alonso has but in a more attacking position (like a Silva or Iniesta) in that he never seems to be more than 5 yards away from a teammate, and always ready to recieve the ball. The only time you see him away from a teammate is when he tries those runs in behind. The rest of the time he is a "reference point" for the guy on the ball. He just has obvious appreciation for his teammates, which too few of our players have shown this season.

Kudos to him for the assist as well. Simple though the pass was, I can think of plenty of good players who would still have swung the left boot at that, even after the loose first touch.


Has to be said though, all his better performances have come playing from the right.

[smig]

Been critical of Maxi since he arrived because I felt he hadn't offered much but he was very good tonight. Control is very assured and he played a part in some terrific moves. Without question his best game in a red shirt to date. Let's hope he keeps it up.

[Seebab]

Best player behind Aquilani tonight. Superb performance and I love his eagerness to get the ball. I agree about adding fluidity to the team, something I think Lucas was meant to add, but never really happened, or has yet to.

[Popcorn]

Whenever he plays on the right he impresses me. Played very well tonight, intelligent footballer and deserves to keep his place.

[Beninger]

Stevie and Torres could have very easily scored on the passes he made to them.

[Gee, Stevie]

Looked sharp tonight, did Maxi.  Loved his game, formed a great combination on the right with Johnson.  Can make a real difference having some sharp and clever movement off the ball, crisp passing, and clever distribution - we got that from Maxi and Aquilani, Babel gave us a different dimension too, although he can get easily lost in games.

If we manage to keep hold of our current squad and not add anyone, we've still got a lot of attacking talent.  Yossi and Maxi can play wide and buzz around the main front man, Torres.  Riera gives us a bit of width on the left and is great at holding onto the ball and keeping possession with some classy touches and passes.  Babel is not the most reliable and consistent performer, but has amazing natural talent to rip a game open - might be better suited to starting games against poorer teams and being an option off the bench in big games.  Kuyt can give us everything he's got either from the right or as a back-up option for Torres.  We all know about Gerrard and Torres.  Aquilani showed a real eagerness to get forward and help make something happen in the final third and we still have Jovanovic to through in the mix as another option.

That's pretty fecking good, isn't it?

[amir87]

Maxi's a very intelligent footballer. He knows where to be in each specific situation and almost always makes himself available to recieve the ball. He also looks very much at ease when playing one touch football so that's another huge plus point.
I will say he looks much more comfortable on the right and gets involved far more there then he does from the left.

[Juan Loco]

Looked sharp tonight, did Maxi.  Loved his game, formed a great combination on the right with Johnson.  Can make a real difference having some sharp and clever movement off the ball, crisp passing, and clever distribution - we got that from Maxi and Aquilani, Babel gave us a different dimension too, although he can get easily lost in games.

If we manage to keep hold of our current squad and not add anyone, we've still got a lot of attacking talent.  Yossi and Maxi can play wide and buzz around the main front man, Torres.  Riera gives us a bit of width on the left and is great at holding onto the ball and keeping possession with some classy touches and passes.  Babel is not the most reliable and consistent performer, but has amazing natural talent to rip a game open - might be better suited to starting games against poorer teams and being an option off the bench in big games.  Kuyt can give us everything he's got either from the right or as a back-up option for Torres.  We all know about Gerrard and Torres.  Aquilani showed a real eagerness to get forward and help make something happen in the final third and we still have Jovanovic to through in the mix as another option.

That's pretty fecking good, isn't it?

This is what I and a few others have been saying about Rafa not getting anywhere the best out of the squad at his disposal this season though. It's talented enough to be competing - no more than that. But it's the silly little things - Kuyt (and yes, I am a fan) starting every game on the right, meaning it's basically one of 3, or 4, to play on the left. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think there has been a single game since they've been at the club in which Riera, Benayoun, Gerrard and Torres have started together, as a front 4. If they've all played together it's been because Kuyt is partnering Nando and one of the sitters has been missing.

The way I see it is that we've got Yossi and Maxi on the right, Riera and Babel on the left, and Gerrard and Torres up front with Kuyt able to fill any number of roles. He's a wonderful alternative option and good enough to start plenty of games. Making him a guarenteed starter in so many games however is just tying your own hands.

[barnseysleftpeg]

What has been evident from the start of Maxis time here is that he is a footballer.

I think sometimes we get too caught up in the "oh he's a wide player, so he's got to do this or do that"  Haven't Spain proved that a group of players who have an excellent touch and game intelligence will win more games than they lose.

I'm not saying that individual brilliance doesn't have it's place in football of course it does what I'm saying is if you get a group footballers who know how to play the game the right way positive results will follow

Johnson, Aquilani, Maxi, Gerrard and Torres all linked up superbly today each one letting the ball do the work.

All Maxi needs to do is start scoring to cap off some fine performances.  Is rapidly making the right side his own.

[Bangers N Masch]

Much better tonight. Thought he was our best player alongside Aquilani. Played with real intelligence and his passing was superb. Very encouraging after a slow start, hopefully he can kick on.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Good performance. Having Aquilani and Johnson alongside him enables him to flourish.

[jckliew]

Sorry. Is he on loan or ours?

[abhred]

Looked good in a team that plays football.

[Hank Scorpio]

Uncanny ability to pick out a red shirt.

Even when he is high up the pitch and space is limited. 

And the passes aren't any old passes.  They are delivered to feet and with pace giving the recipient ample time to control and pick the next pass.