Zenden is not good enough

[Guest Marshy]

  Guz said:

Rafa has come out and said before that he thought Didi might play less than last season and the Kaiser wanted regular football. I dont think there's anything wrong with that. Didi had the option to sign a new contract with us didn't he?

 

I think Zenden will be a lot better at home. He's the kind of player that can keep the ball moving and keep the team ticking over. Against sides that put us under a lot of pressure in midfield and make the whole game compact, he'll struggle I think.

 

I think in hindsight Rafa would have been better to keep quiet on that and maybe Didi would still be with us. It's frightening to think that even though Didi was very much the 4th choice central midfielder last season he still managed to contribute to around 20-25 of our games. In a nutshell if Zenden is forced to contribute to a similar number of matches this season then we can forget the league and possibly 2nd place. Let's just pray that Gerrard/Alonso/Sissoko stay relatively injury free.

[RafaShanks]

  Anders Honoré said:

I am hoping it is because didi wanted to move on and not because rafa wanted him to.

 

Wasn't it more to do with Rafa? I'm sure Didi wanted to stay, but wasn't given much of an option, hence the fiasco that ensued with his choice for another club.

 

I miss the re-assurance that Didi gave us whenever he played.

 

Didn't Zenden only sign a two year deal, this being his last year?

[Guz]

  Marshy said:

I think in hindsight Rafa would have been better to keep quiet on that and maybe Didi would still be with us. It's frightening to think that even though Didi was very much the 4th choice central midfielder last season he still managed to contribute to around 20-25 of our games. In a nutshell if Zenden is forced to contribute to a similar number of matches this season then we can forget the league and possibly 2nd place. Let's just pray that Gerrard/Alonso/Sissoko stay relatively injury free.

 

I am sure he said it after it became clear he was leaving for Bolton or City. I cant remember the exact quotes but remember reading it somewhere, maybe the echo. May have even come from Didi but it was pretty clear Rafa wanted him to stay but made a point of telling Didi he'd be 4th choice behind Stevie, Xabi and Momo and wont play as many games this season.

 

I dont see how you can say if Zenden plays 20 odd games, we can forget the league though. I'm not expecting the kind of performances Didi put in vs the mancs in the cup for example but he'll still have a part to play.

[realtarragona]

Decent squad player but there's no way I'd start him unless other players aren't fit. Like yesterday, I don't see why he started ahead of Pennant, for example.

[Guest Verbal]

I think we are going to miss Hamann.

 

Not a knee-jerk reaction based on 2 games but his experience and ability to come into the team at anytime and put in a good performance will be missed more than people realise.

 

I think the current squad is extremely strong but central midfield worries me. I know, I know - most teams would kill for Sissoko/Alonso/Gerrard but I'd prefer another central midfielder who is strong in that position and knows how to play it.

Edited August 20, 2006 by Verbal

[hideNseek]

  realtarragona said:

Decent squad player but there's no way I'd start him unless other players aren't fit. Like yesterday, I don't see why he started ahead of Pennant, for example.

 

Agree and Alonso too.

[SkippyjonJones]

maybe zenden should change his name to Kewell - that way he'd get 6 months grace after every injury.

 

1 league game after 8 months out and he's not good enough??? FFS..

[fyds]

  NHE said:

maybe zenden should change his name to Kewell - that way he'd get 6 months grace after every injury.

 

1 league game after 8 months out and he's not good enough??? FFS..

Well quite.

[micmij]

  NHE said:

maybe zenden should change his name to Kewell - that way he'd get 6 months grace after every injury.

What kind of advice is that?

[Guest Makaveli Smith]

  Cobs said:

it was one game

 

he didn't play well

 

nor did most of his team-mates

 

last week he was excellent

that's football.

I don't believe Zenden will be a regular of the first 11 in our title challenge but he's a fine player to have in our squad.

 

 

agree with you there.. but we have to talk about something! the season has just started and we're off to a flying start (well)...

 

I think zenden is a good player and will have his share of apps this term.. I think he'll do well enough too, however with the quality of depth in midfield that we have it will be hard if not impossible for the man to claim a starting place for us.

[hagi_complex]

Harsh.

 

I hope we never have to play him on the left again, but in central midfield I think he can do a job for us. He's an experienced squad player. He'd be a good Carling Cup captain. I think lashing him out of it cos of Saturday morning is unfair - there were plenty that didn't perform on the day.

[Michael]

  Marshy said:

I think in hindsight Rafa would have been better to keep quiet on that and maybe Didi would still be with us. It's frightening to think that even though Didi was very much the 4th choice central midfielder last season he still managed to contribute to around 20-25 of our games. In a nutshell if Zenden is forced to contribute to a similar number of matches this season then we can forget the league and possibly 2nd place. Let's just pray that Gerrard/Alonso/Sissoko stay relatively injury free.

 

I think if we were plagued by injuries to our defensive midfielders Agger could stand in in that position. Apart from his natural defensive qualities he's comfortable on the ball and well able to play it around the midfield. Not an ideal solution I know, but if the need were there he could do it a la Ledley King for England.

[Guest Makaveli Smith]

  pool88 said:

I think if we were plagued by injuries to our defensive midfielders Agger could stand in in that position. Apart from his natural defensive qualities he's comfortable on the ball and well able to play it around the midfield. Not an ideal solution I know, but if the need were there he could do it a la Ledley King for England.

 

you might just be on to something there... I haven't seen enough of the man myself but if he is comfortable on the ball then he might well make the switch if needed.

[R A Softlad]

  Hassony said:

as a fourth choice midfielder who can cover on the left is a useful player to have in the squad

 

Indeed and very professional with it.

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

Problem with 4th choice central midfielders is that they have to be happy to be just that, a 4th choice midfielder. Zenden knows he is a 'fill in' player and will play it better than most other alternatives.

[mercury]

too early to write him off and a good squad player for us. He should have known the intense competition in the team and it's up to him to get something out of it.

[Guest Carradonna]

  Sabre said:

How can you say he was good enough last week but not good enough this week? Surely that suggests that he can play better, just like the majority of our team against Sheff Utd.

 

 

Read the post again i think people got carried away with his performance against the Chavs, yes he was tenacious in the centre and won a lot of ball but i stand by what i said based on what i have seen of him over the years he is not the type of player to dictate the play like Xabi or Stevie because he doesn't have the quality end of.

[_00_deathscar]

  Carradonna said:

based on what i have seen of him over the years he is not the type of player to dictate the play like Xabi or Stevie because he doesn't have the quality end of.

 

And how many 4th choice midfielders are?

[Rimbeux]

Not sure Bolo has it for physical away matches, but he's a decent player who can fill in usefully in midfield at home. What stands out for me, is that we need at least one of Gerrard and Alonso in the centre of midfield to control the game, it's not like we're short of options.

[StevieC]

  Leo No.8 said:

Zenden is useful cover, but I thought it was an error on Rafa's part starting him in our first game of the season. I would have gone with the same side except Pennant on the right and Gerrard in the middle.

 

Just felt we surrendered the initiative by picking less quality in midfield than we could have; I wouldn't have gone with a 'back-up' player which is exactly what Zenden is, by choice against a Sheffield United side who were always going to be awkward on the first day at their patch.

 

I think Rafa underestimated them a little. Also was Alonso injured or rested for Tuesday?

 

 

Without the unfortunate injuries I think we would have seen something like that a long while before the changes were actually made.

 

Bolo really slowed the play down yesterday whenever he got the ball and it seems odd that with the option available that's the team that went out.

[Snoeker]

  Bernie said:

I think those who think we can have 4 top rate central midfielders without it becoming a problem are deluding themselves. Zenden will do a job there when asked, but we won't rely on him for most games this season. I can imagine in previous seasons if we had to play Biscan or Diao at Brammell Lane, we might not have returned home with the point we got.

 

I actually think Igor would have done ok. Would you like to be up against Momo and Igor in CM?

[Skillz]

If Rafa said he was not going to play to often i think Rafa is just being honest. We owe Didi that after his service and he had the option to stay. He didnt which was obviously his choice and i for one wish him all the best.

 

Still wish he stayed though!

[jimmylibel]

Thought his workrate was fine but that he lost his composure anytime he had the ball. There were far too many lofted passes when they could have been played on the deck. Think it's worth remembering that it was effectively 3 on 2 in the centre for most of the match on Saturday, but that said he was far too rushed when he had possession.

[Guest Marshy]

  Rimbeux said:

Not sure Bolo has it for physical away matches, but he's a decent player who can fill in usefully in midfield at home. What stands out for me, is that we need at least one of Gerrard and Alonso in the centre of midfield to control the game, it's not like we're short of options.

 

When the suns shining and we're at home to the likes of Fulham then Zenden might be useful for us - if a couple of our central midfielders are injured. Away from home against dogs of war types he'll make a better contribution from the bench. Bottom line for me though is that if at least two out of Gerrard/Alonso/Sissoko are fit then there's no need for Zenden in central midfield.

[_00_deathscar]

  Carradonna said:

What are you talking about 4th choice if he was forth choice he wouldn't have played

 

 

So it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that we have a game in midweek where Alonso is essential and seeing the way we picked up 2 injuries, Rafa made the right decision in hindsight. We should still have had enough for Sheff Utd.