[JRedknapp11]

Like the thread title says , what's up with all of the negative feelings towards the Portugese Santa ?


It really seems to me that on this board it's becoming the "in" thing to do. Xavier has played rather well for us all season.

Sure with Jamie and Marcus comming back we probably won't see that much of Xavier. Let's be honest though, he's played rather well and surely doesn't deserve half the flack he has been getting. I could easily point out how equally bad Henchoz has been and the same go's for Traore ( he did play a classic match today though).

As of right now he hasn't cost a game yet and to the best of knowledge he has only cost a goal and that's being a bit critical. He played well against Duff and those who say his service into the box was Abel's fault is just plain wild...that was little Steve's fault for not covering Abel on the set piece.

We have a great season ahead...let's lay back and enjoy it.

[Matt Clark]

It's not "bashing" to point out his atrocious positional sense and his complete inability to handle pace. He actually played all right last night, but as soon as Robert and Bellamy came on he was all at sea. For the second game running we were treated to the sight of Liverpool playing with three right-backs as either Hamann and Gerrard or Hamann and Murphy continually covered Xavier. That's crap - especially at home. When have you ever seen that with Babbel or Carra? Or, dare I say it, with Steven Wright? It's like we've got Song back, or something.

He is not good enough to play for this team. Watching the back line yesterday, you could tell that he engenders no confidence whatsoever in his defensive partners.

Henchoz? Henchoz has been impeccable. In fact, he's got better this season, since Houllier has deployed him further forward. He has added mobility and anticipation to rock-solid consistency.

Abel Xavier is not good enougn.

[JRedknapp11]

Sorry Matt, but that's total rubbish.

He's been just as good as Henchoz and better then Traore. His pace and durability has lasted all 90 minutes in the matches I've seen, which like yourself has been all of them.

Like I said above it's becoming the fashionable thing to do.

I'm still trying to understand why Henchoz didn't clear that Shearer header off the line...all he did was wave his leg in the air...that's piss poor defense. Sure it's only one weak mistake, but it was one that gave Newcastle the tie.

As for the subs that Newcaslte made (God bless Robson and his brass balls)...Bellamy was playing the right side and gave Traore fits for the rest of the night. Traore did make a few crisp deep passes to the strikers but once Craig came on, it was the Frenchman who was running all over the park (typical french).

Speed did give Abel a good run for his money but Abel was a bit spent from working off Murphy whom had a so so game last night.

You guys need to look at Abel more closely, he's been a victum to a poor display by Gerrard and Murphy in as many weeks. If it wasn't for Hamann playing the best damn football of his career it would be Traore who'd be on our ************ list.

[Matt Clark]

Well, like I said ... you have some funny views on the game. Traore was class last night, he played the second half right in front of me in the Anny Road end and I'm telling you right here, right now, he was faultless. Bellamy played primarily through the middle when he came on and gave all of our defenders a hard time. Both Newcastle goals were scored from the Newcastle left ... Xavier's side. Murphy has nothing to do with it - he was outstanding last night. As I said previously, would Babbel or Carra get roasted like Xavier does? Nope. Not ever. Not ever ever. A full back should not require cover from two attacking central midfielders, end of story. He is nowhere near as good as any other defender at the club. Don't forget that Traore is actually a centre-back and he's still better than Xavier at full back.

Fashion has nothign to do with it - you should know me better than that. They get the full support when they'r ein the red, but let's face facts. Telling the world that Xavier is being unfairly castigated (due to fashion, no less) whilst simultaneously implying that the H-Men have been found wanting by comparison is ludicrous. I urge you to get out there and try and find any sustained support for this little theory of yours. You'll be busy ...

The Henchoz thing is pure nonsense, there isn't a defender in the world that could have got more to the ball than he did from a Shearer header like that. Hyypia was at fault for him getting the header in the first place, Henchoz blameless for it's progress into the net. Watch the highlights when they post them up on the site.

[liverbird]

Matt has got this absolutely right. The equalizer for Blackburn, and Newcastle's first, came right through Xavier's position. After early probing, both of those sides decided they'd get nothing going at Traore ( who actually began to get forward and made a few delightful attacking passes last night). They went right at Xavier and got a return. He is both slow and without positional sense. Those two goals came from beating Abel and then squaring to a midfielder after drawing one of the centre halves over to cover. As Matt says, while Abel is not a bad player he is the weakest link in our chain and not up to playing with the rest of the lads. Marcus or Jamie need to be on the pitch.

[655321]

Xavier has been caught out of position WAY to many times so far this season. He's good enough to fill in for injured players, but I'm looking forward to Babbel coming back.

[dcc134]

After almost every goal that we have given up this seaons Steve Hunter has said "not to pick Xavier, but he was not where on that play. His marking has been poor."


What did Sir Bobby do in the second half? He put Robert and Bellamy on the left to attack Xavi and it worked. He is the weak link in the backline, no doubt.

[LiverpoolFanatic]

Originally posted by JRedknapp11
Sorry Matt, but that's total rubbish.

He's been just as good as Henchoz and better then Traore. His pace and durability has lasted all 90 minutes in the matches I've seen, which like yourself has been all of them.

Like I said above it's becoming the fashionable thing to do.

Are you watching the same matches? Xavier gets caught out time and time again. Opponenets know this and exploit him. Henchoz is a rock. Xavier is a liability.


I'm still trying to understand why Henchoz didn't clear that Shearer header off the line...all he did was wave his leg in the air...that's piss poor defense. Sure it's only one weak mistake, but it was one that gave Newcastle the tie.

That header was moving way to fast for him to do anything with it at all. It was a typical Shearer rocket.

You guys need to look at Abel more closely, he's been a victum to a poor display by Gerrard and Murphy in as many weeks. If it wasn't for Hamann playing the best damn football of his career it would be Traore who'd be on our ************ list. [/QUOTE]

Traore has been excellent. I'm not sure you know what you're talking about.

[YanksFC]

Sorry, JRedknapp, but you're on your own on this one. People do see different things in each match, but I must agree 100% with everyone else here. Xavier has been the weak link, and Traore has done nothing to lose his job on the other side of the defense. Dare I say that Djimi has played quite well.

[JRedknapp11]

Hey what can I say... I guess we can all agree to disagree..with me that is.

I always enjoy a good debate so I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

I still think Xavier is a vital part of our club....certainly I would give the nod to Marcus when he comes back, but for now I think Abel has done a nice job.

Bottom line is our defense is looking better then it has in years...so I'll go happily with that.

Traore has been great too, last night warmed me up to him, although I would say his performances in that last few games were great but he did have me scratching my head a few times.