Mutiman

Its a fact that we are set up to play in europe. I haven't really seen any change of note,and rafa's been here for 5+ years . I think a hard decision has to be made, stay the way we are or take a chance(which might not work out) and look for someone else. Rafa will allways do well in europe but he just doesn't have what it takes to win the premiership, and this no knee-jerk reaction.

Thanks Toni i was beginning to think i was the only one wondering what exactly is going on? The way Babel and to a lesser extent Keane have been treated just doesn't make sense! Babel showed a lot of promise last season and started this season in a similar manner.His reward? Regular 10 minute spells from the bench and the inference that somehow he cant play the full ninety minutes and is also less 'tactically' aware! A full dutch international! Keane started slowly was getting better and then gets dropped.Meanwhile Dirk has a few games where he does what hes actually supposed to do-score and create goals, in the vast majority he's spent most running around in an almost manic manner and not really contributing to the team's attacking play, yet we wonder why we cant break down teams! Not only would he fail to start for the 'big' three he's definitely not better than Agbonlahor at Villa who works just as hard at his defensive duties.

Hear hear! Kuyt is all motion no movement at least not in the Torres,Villa or Van nistelrooy sense. Everytime i read people saying that kuyt works hard, iwonder if a striker's job is to work hard or score goals/create goals for the other players around! I've got nothing against Dirk but he's just not good enough and never will be. Ronaldo works very hard for the scum as well but he's regarded as a great player 'cause he's very good at his primary functions, namely scoring and creating goals for his team!

4, gerrard. Superb ball from lucas, think this is best game for us! Guthrie's been anon for the toon.

Babel! Now lets make it stick.

seems we're having a go!

Agree completely with u Toni. The amount of stick that's been aimed at babel on this forum is unreal. He's either too lazy to play, wrong attitude or totally without talent! He wanted a move to Ajax in order to improve so he's not a bogarde type player! To all the people slagging him off, please go and have a look at his performances last season,earlier this season and for the dutch national team.He's not done as well recently, but he's not really had enough playing time. Babel isa very good player who could become a great one if given the support. Maybe he wont make it at liverpool but at least lets get behind him and give him our full backing just the way we have with other players like keane,kuyt(who imo is massively over rated) etc.

This group think is really setting in.Kuyt can run all day?! He is supposed to be a footballer, its not just about running wheres the end product? This idea that everyone in the team has to cover every blade of grass is one of the reasons why our attacking play is often laboured, too much emphasis is put on defensive duties i think Rafa would prefer a winger or attacker who is average but who works hard defensively, rather than one who is not so good at helping out the defense.Thats not neccessarily a bad thing but if it is the overiding consideration then we have a problem.

so why not try other subs instead of babbel?

Maybe but its still a very important fact that we lack pace in the team, not comparing just arsenal now but also the mancs and chelsea. I'm not slagging off the team but our lack of pace in certain areas and the rather laboured buiild-up play today might have cost us two ponits.

Took the words from my mouth. Its clear Rafa's subs are pre-planned and not due to the match situation, i just wish he could be more flexible, its costing us points. A point at the emirates is ok but it could have been much better if we had been more daring.

Then the logical question is why do we have so many players who lack pace, which i think is a major requirement in the modern game particularly in the premiership.

Its really sad,babbel i think has to go his confidence is shot.We not been able to make the extra man tell in any attacking area, no two on one situations, nothing of note.And all the while benitez calling the shots making strange and late subs. I really hope i'm wrong but i dont think we can win the league with benitez, he's just too cautious-this was a game there for the taking.

i'd have taken off lucas or alonso. Babbel is not useless he's been played in the wrong position.He should go down the center. Lucas has to go now,he's own a yellow.No its keane off for El-zhar. I think Benitez already knows his subs and who they'll replace even b4 the game starts! Arsenal are really going for it.

Why reira? Benitez is too cautious, we're not exploiting the extra-man advantage at all.

We've got to go for it, need another body upfront-babbel or n'gog?

Kuyt is doing my head in, he works hard but is first touch is sooo poor.