A Season of Ryan and Yossi

[usscouse]

When Ryan and Yozzi came to join us I noted that they were both 2 excellent subs. Yossi with his ability to run at defenders and turn them and for a guy his weight he has a surprising shot. Ryan with his speed up the wing and the way he could cut back to his right foot for a cross or a hammer of a shot.

As time progressed Ryan seemed the best deal of the two, his strength and speed had other teams worried about him. As matches went on though it became obvious to us and other team managers that he was a one trick pony. And soon adjusted to cut him out of the danger. To combat this he tried using his left foot more and with a little success but he used his left foot at the expence of his right. Face it, once he'd used his left foot to fool the fullback then that back will be in two minds how to play him next time he comes by. Down the line with his left or cut onto his right.
Now Ryan seems confused and unsure on the pitch and unless he's played directly to in the penalty area he just seems to fade and the lack of drive and enthusiasm has left him not as good as when he first played in my opinion.

Yossi, when he first started as a sub, couldn't seem to play for more than a couple of good runs, then you'd have to count the players in red to see if he was still out there. But he picked up or made a couple of vital goals. Same when he started with the first 11, after about 20-30 minutes he was toast, whether he scored or not.

Now look at them. Ryan, lackluster, even though he still has the talent, he's unsure and seems reluctant to "get stuck in". While Yossi now has the stamina to play full matches and is coming off as a very good goal scorer and playmaker.
Yossi, MOM this week by the press but a tie for me with Dirk, who has also found his shooting boots.

Lets hope next year, they (Dirk and Yossi) can be the ones to take up the slack if Nando gets hurt again and give us "some" (must buy more!) of the depth of players we need to have a run at another championship and Chamions League for 09/10

[liverbird]

When Ryan and Yozzi came to join us I noted that they were both 2 excellent subs. Yossi with his ability to run at defenders and turn them and for a guy his weight he has a surprising shot. Ryan with his speed up the wing and the way he could cut back to his right foot for a cross or a hammer of a shot.

As time progressed Ryan seemed the best deal of the two, his strength and speed had other teams worried about him. As matches went on though it became obvious to us and other team managers that he was a one trick pony. And soon adjusted to cut him out of the danger. To combat this he tried using his left foot more and with a little success but he used his left foot at the expence of his right. Face it, once he'd used his left foot to fool the fullback then that back will be in two minds how to play him next time he comes by. Down the line with his left or cut onto his right.
Now Ryan seems confused and unsure on the pitch and unless he's played directly to in the penalty area he just seems to fade and the lack of drive and enthusiasm has left him not as good as when he first played in my opinion.

Yossi, when he first started as a sub, couldn't seem to play for more than a couple of good runs, then you'd have to count the players in red to see if he was still out there. But he picked up or made a couple of vital goals. Same when he started with the first 11, after about 20-30 minutes he was toast, whether he scored or not.

Now look at them. Ryan, lackluster, even though he still has the talent, he's unsure and seems reluctant to "get stuck in". While Yossi now has the stamina to play full matches and is coming off as a very good goal scorer and playmaker.
Yossi, MOM this week by the press but a tie for me with Dirk, who has also found his shooting boots.

Lets hope next year, they (Dirk and Yossi) can be the ones to take up the slack if Nando gets hurt again and give us "some" (must buy more!) of the depth of players we need to have a run at another championship and Chamions League for 09/10

The BS fascists say I can't rep this post -- but I'll just say you've got it spot on, la.

[Boundzy]

The BS fascists say I can't rep this post -- but I'll just say you've got it spot on, la.
Got him for you. Deserved it.

[liverbird]

Got him for you. Deserved it.

Ta:D

[Grinners89]

When Ryan and Yozzi came to join us I noted that they were both 2 excellent subs. Yossi with his ability to run at defenders and turn them and for a guy his weight he has a surprising shot. Ryan with his speed up the wing and the way he could cut back to his right foot for a cross or a hammer of a shot.

As time progressed Ryan seemed the best deal of the two, his strength and speed had other teams worried about him. As matches went on though it became obvious to us and other team managers that he was a one trick pony. And soon adjusted to cut him out of the danger. To combat this he tried using his left foot more and with a little success but he used his left foot at the expence of his right. Face it, once he'd used his left foot to fool the fullback then that back will be in two minds how to play him next time he comes by. Down the line with his left or cut onto his right.
Now Ryan seems confused and unsure on the pitch and unless he's played directly to in the penalty area he just seems to fade and the lack of drive and enthusiasm has left him not as good as when he first played in my opinion.

Yossi, when he first started as a sub, couldn't seem to play for more than a couple of good runs, then you'd have to count the players in red to see if he was still out there. But he picked up or made a couple of vital goals. Same when he started with the first 11, after about 20-30 minutes he was toast, whether he scored or not.

Now look at them. Ryan, lackluster, even though he still has the talent, he's unsure and seems reluctant to "get stuck in". While Yossi now has the stamina to play full matches and is coming off as a very good goal scorer and playmaker.
Yossi, MOM this week by the press but a tie for me with Dirk, who has also found his shooting boots.

Lets hope next year, they (Dirk and Yossi) can be the ones to take up the slack if Nando gets hurt again and give us "some" (must buy more!) of the depth of players we need to have a run at another championship and Chamions League for 09/10

As said...spot on.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Yossi wants to play for our club and for the badge. I don't know if Babel wants to.

[ForeverRed]

Good post usscouse.

The difference IMO has been their attitude. Fresh, full of talent and eager to impress Ryan came in and had a very good debut season. As that wore down it seemed as if his youthful exuberance got the better of him.

Yossi on the other hand, experienced and a veteran next to Ryan, put in his time, worked hard and waited for his opportunities. When they came he took them well and Benitez and everyone else noticed and acknowledged it. In the second half of the season, he has been one of our most effective players while Babel's mentality seems to have let him down, pouting rather than working hard.

Shame.

[MetroChile]

Everytime I see Babel come in during 2nd halves, I hope for an Arsenal-type performance (2nd leg vs. them, last year's CL). :(

[el-capitano]

It is funny- Yossi's comments have gone from he's shit- to we should start him.

Babel's have gone from 'he's the next Henry', to, he's shit, only got one foot etc.

I'm not going to write off the Dutch lad yet- however, he'd better start improving his attitude as well as his game! ;)

[Ami05]

You all make very good points and I agree with alot you say however I don't think Babel get's as much oppertunity as others on the team. Benitez subs him in very late imo. Usually Rafa makes the sub at the 65-70min. 25min isn't that much time to do much.

Zahr,,,,or whatever his name is sucked the two times I've seen him play. Do you think he is good enough to be on this team?

Yossi, Yossi, Yossi, Always a hard working player and your sooo right, he plays only for your badge and the fans. He grew up watching Avi Cohen and Roni Rosenthal. he's there and feels honored to be there.

The kid (as we called him in Israel) is a playmaker, I think he's just getting used to the team and that's why your seeing his game come out.



Question is , Will Yossi still be there next year ? I don't know. I thought Bellamy would stay after I saw him hit that goal against barca in the cl but he was out soon later. Garcia, owen, who knows anyone can go.

I do think yossi gets along very well with torres and arbeloa, they seem to of become good friends.

[luciusmagister]

El Zhar is still getting his legs but I've seen him do alright.

Babel is young and I think he'll improve once he understands what Rafa wants out of him.

Yossi has had an outstanding season and is under contract until 2012 (I believe) so I think he'll be around for awhile. Out of all the "squad players" LFC have signed in recent history; Yossi has surprised me the most.

[newterp]

Yossi will definitely be here next year.

Babel - didn't make the subs bench for the Hull game....sad. I really think that he should have listened to Rafa and not gone to the olympics just after recovering from the ankle injury during the training for Euro2008.

[usscouse]

There was a bit of a glitch in Yossi's season. When playing for Israel "the papers" were reporting him as unhappy that he wasn't getting enough first team time and starts. At that time though he wasn't earning it. Perhaps Rafa told him that when he got back because his game seems to have improved from there and his game time.

[MetroChile]

I remember when there was talk of him possibly leaving and this coincided with him playing for Israel and being stretchered off (just as Raffa had asked him not to play...for Israel). As much as I like the guy, I thought he was "done" with what happened. His game since, however, has gotten so much better and now he's probably the Yossi we always wanted to see. :cool:

[Kawklee]

The thing with Yossi is he makes little simple things seem like much more, or big things seem simple. When he dribbles he does it compactly, taking a touch with every step. Because he plans on that touch he can react to defensive shifts quickly. Yossi is also great for his linking play and solo ability. He passes it when it should be passed, and shoots when the shot's there. He's not afraid to do either, and its great.

I think Babel should be put in a striking role, near permanently. We've tried him on the wing, its given him experience and greater understanding of the game, now lets put him where he belongs. He is incredibly strong and gifted, he's actually tall enough (6'0) to be a goal threat. If he doesnt perform as Torre's backup strike, then ship him off. New grass might help him find his legs, but I'm still hopeful for something.

But really, once again this is all just fan speculation. Rafa knows more than we ever can, and no amount of our own theorisation can ever force an outcome, and I guess that somewhat frustrates me.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Babel - didn't make the subs bench for the Hull game....sad. I really think that he should have listened to Rafa and not gone to the olympics just after recovering from the ankle injury during the training for Euro2008.

I think him not making the bench was Rafa's response to Babel whinging in the press again.

He just needs to be quiet.

[Grinners89]

The thing with Yossi is he makes little simple things seem like much more, or big things seem simple. When he dribbles he does it compactly, taking a touch with every step. Because he plans on that touch he can react to defensive shifts quickly. Yossi is also great for his linking play and solo ability. He passes it when it should be passed, and shoots when the shot's there. He's not afraid to do either, and its great.

I think Babel should be put in a striking role, near permanently. We've tried him on the wing, its given him experience and greater understanding of the game, now lets put him where he belongs. He is incredibly strong and gifted, he's actually tall enough (6'0) to be a goal threat. If he doesnt perform as Torre's backup strike, then ship him off. New grass might help him find his legs, but I'm still hopeful for something.

But really, once again this is all just fan speculation. Rafa knows more than we ever can, and no amount of our own theorisation can ever force an outcome, and I guess that somewhat frustrates me.

Thats probably Yossi's only remaining weakness in his current form. There are times, at least once every match when he dribbles for far too long when there is a teammate free.

The best dribblers pass the ball off after beating one man.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Yossi bleeds for the shirt. I can find almost no faults in his game in his current form.

Babel is a whiner who has yet to prove his worth. Not sure if he's gonna be around next year, and if he is, I'm pretty sure it's because his current form would put his valuation at about £5M.

[royalstilton]

Message to Ryan Babel:

There's a little shrimpy guy with a three letter moniker who was on Chelsea's roster for a while. Couldn't get a sniff.

He was at Manchester City before Chelsea and now he's back.

Sometimes a player winds up at the wrong club.

Now here's the important part, Ryan. Listen up! That guy who's playing for Citeh will never win anything. Ever. Unless The Citizens get relegated and win the Championship (big deal!).

So, Ryan. Here's what you have to decide. Are you at the wrong club? Do you want to be a big fish in a little pond or a little fish in a big pond?

August is coming, Ryan. Think about it.

[usscouse]

The best dribblers pass the ball off after beating one man.True that, my mantra to my wingers/dribblers was: Beat a man, draw a man, pass.

Simple does it!