Xavier bashing ..... ? ....

Discussion in 'Liverpool' started by JRedknapp11, Sep 3, 2002.

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  1. JRedknapp11

    JRedknapp11 Red Card

    Dec 5, 2001
    tsacademy.net
    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.
     
  2. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    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.
     
  3. JRedknapp11

    JRedknapp11 Red Card

    Dec 5, 2001
    tsacademy.net
    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.
     
  4. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    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.
     
  5. liverbird

    liverbird BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 29, 2000
    Mars
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  6. 655321

    655321 New Member

    Jul 21, 2002
    The Mission, SF
    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.
     
  7. dcc134

    dcc134 Member+

    Liverpool FC
    May 15, 2000
    Hummelstown, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  8. LiverpoolFanatic

    Liverpool FC, Philadelphia Union
    Feb 19, 2000
    Lancaster, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  9. YanksFC

    YanksFC Member

    Feb 3, 2000
    Indianapolis
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    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.
     
  10. JRedknapp11

    JRedknapp11 Red Card

    Dec 5, 2001
    tsacademy.net
    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.
     
  11. usscouse

    usscouse BigSoccer Supporter

    May 3, 2002
    Orygun coast
    Wow..!!! you must have gone out for a beer when we went two up.

    Henchoz impressed me with his ability to sense the danger on Xaviers wing and cover more than a couple of times in that game as well as covering behind big Sammi.
    Traore impresses me more and more each time I see him. It was Traore and Henchoz that helped Liverpool dominate the midfield for so long.
    But if anyone needs a kick in the arse, it’s our vaunted strikers. If they’d have done their job (5 or 6 more times) then Xavier’s game wouldn’t even be in question.
     
  12. scouseratheart

    scouseratheart New Member

    Jul 2, 2002
    USA
    No he didnt, Duff burned him repeatedly, Henchoz had to save his ass more times than i like to remember...
     
  13. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Babbel is one of the best full-backs in the world, even after his troubles with health. Xavier is a hapless journeyman. Babbel has dealt with the pace of Duff, Bellamy and Robert before, Xavier has singularly failed to do anything of the sort.

    But thanks - another valuable contribution.
     
  14. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    I'm a welcome prick?

    Dearie me ... so young, so many issues ...
     
  15. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    You mean when Murphy flicked the layoff out wide and then ran through onto the return ball to score our equaliser against Blackburn?

    No, I hadn't forgotten. No one is saying that Xavier brings NOTHING to the table. He's a decent enough player. But he is easily the worst full-back at the club. Babbel, Carra, Vignal and Traore are all better.

    It's not bashing, it's fact.
     
  16. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    It is your choice to continue to argue with Matt about this. But a word of advice don't bother.

    Matt will eat you for breakfast, dinner and tea and still have a hearty appetite.

    You have been warned. :)
     
  17. 655321

    655321 New Member

    Jul 21, 2002
    The Mission, SF
    This thread has completely jumped the shark.
     
  18. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    I have no idea what that means, but it sounds about right!
     
  19. 655321

    655321 New Member

    Jul 21, 2002
    The Mission, SF
    It means just about what you think.

    I might not agree with Matt all the time, but I wouldn't argue with him...especially about Abel f'ing Xavier.
     
  20. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Well of course, no-one agrees 100% about everything.

    You are completely right though, Xavier is not the person to draw the line in the sand for.

    My point though is that we can all disagree on anything, who cares. But posters need to back it up with some sort of evidence.

    Back to the Xavier debate;

    Saying that Babbel wouldn't be able to cope with the likes of Duff, Robert, Bellamy, etc. is just ridiculous when he has plainly done so before.

    Now my final point on this, it is not just about speed. Speed is certainly important, but Xavier also lacks positional sense. Babbel may not be the quickest full back either but positionally he is fantastic. Same goes for Jamie C.

    Just be glad you don't have to watch Mike Burns every week! He makes Xavier look like Roberto Carlos :D
     
  21. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Do you have any idea of how stupid you sound? Or are you so ignorant that you don't even know it?

    If you want to come on here and argue a case fine, but forget the personal insults pal.

    Make your case for Xavier or any other opinion about the Reds, back it up with some facts, but leave the insults in your playpen.
     
  22. kopiteinkc

    kopiteinkc Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2000
    Shawnee
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Idiot. I just happen to be born and bred in Liverpool. Followed them for nearly 40 years you toss pot.

    Not long after Hillsborough (yes I was there that day) I emigrated. Is that ok with you?
     
  23. 655321

    655321 New Member

    Jul 21, 2002
    The Mission, SF
    Keep your mouth shut, kid...(I'm assuming you're young by your oh-so-witty ID that I'm sure is leaving everyone rolling on the floor in laughter). Noone knows you around here and nobody cares at this point.
     
  24. LiverpoolFanatic

    Liverpool FC, Philadelphia Union
    Feb 19, 2000
    Lancaster, PA
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    If football is in your blood then why are you saying Abel Xavier is better than Babbel? It may be in your blood as you claim, but you know bugger all about it.

    We have a lot of respect for one another around here, because we normally back up our points with valid evidence not a bunch of juvenile name calling. You on the other hand deserve no respect.
     
  25. Matt Clark

    Matt Clark Member

    Dec 19, 1999
    Liverpool
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Oh dear. Thread closed.

    As for the "plazzie red" taunts, someone whose actual username contains clear evidence that he is not from these shores should really read up on that whole glasshouse/elephant thing.

    I really can't be arsed with all the hassle of going to the Mod's area and getting you banned and then also looking out for and banning your inevitable return as some form of amusing deriviative of your already side-splittingly funny pseudonym.

    So let's see if you can grow up a little, eh? As others have said, we all get along fine around here and, with a little effort, even juvenile oiks like you can doubtless be assimilated in not too great a deal of time. Then we can all talk football, like we're supposed. If you feel the need to antagonise people, you can take it to the Rivalries forum. I also mod that and believe me, I really couldn't care less what people do or say in there, so you'd be my welcome guest.
     

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