Danny Ayala

[MFletcher]

Reading through the MOTM thread, there seems to be some 'disagreement' about how Ayala fared. I thought he did as well could really be expected from an 18 year old debutant. He was solid enough in the air, but prone to hacking it away at times when he didn't need to, but the confidence to take the extra touch and play it out will come with time and experience.

 

Anyway, how do you think he did last night?

[Sion]

Seems some people couldn't wait to jump on his back. He hardly did a thing wrong. Sure he looked nervous, but that can hardly be a complaint.

 

Still think Kelly is a much better prospect though

[Mike]

not seen anyone jump on his back, unless i've missed something.

 

he was pretty strong in the air which is what we needed from him. kelly does look a proper prospect, agree with that.

[Sion]

not seen anyone jump on his back, unless i've missed something.

 

What about David 'You'll win nothing with kids' Hodgson saying he was our worst player and god help us if he plays versus Villa.

[Hassony]

have you read the player rating thread mike?

[growler]

So why Ayala on the pitch ahead of Kelly?

[Benzo-13]

Because he's more a reader of a game type of defender and Kelly's a stopper.

[Mike]

So why Ayala on the pitch ahead of Kelly?

 

kellys just playing full back at the mo i think.

 

in absolute terms of course ayala was probably the weakest on the pitch, but that isn't the point of this thread, unless i'm mistaken. it's about relative merit, is it not? i don't think any of us would choose to pair him up against carew...hence the need for the psychotic greek.

i don't actually think carra is very good in the air tbh.

[schmuckdonald]

He fared pretty well considering, but i'm glad we've got Kurgan coming in as I didn't feel confident with Ayala back there. Don't want him starting against Villa anyway, not against Carew and Agbonlahor.

[stressederic]

He did what was needed. I can't imagine he'll get into our first team any time soon, but that's not the point. He played a part last night, didn't drop us in the s*** and helped keep a clean sheet.

 

Most importantly the crowd and his team mates did an excellent job of keeping his morale up which is exactly what was needed. Regardless of how good he actually is, when a young defender makes his first team debut at home, everyone around him needs to convince him that he is in fact Franco Baresi reborn for 90 minutes.

[Atticus Finch]

I was at the pre-season friendly with Lyn Oslo and was watching the young centre backs quite closely. Obviously difficult to make assessments based on friendlies against weak opposition but the one thing Ayala showed in that match more than San Jose and Kelly was the ability to read the game. I thought this was in evidence last night as well.

[WillG]

Thought the lad showed a great deal of promise!

 

God forbid I was under that level of scrutiny as an 18 year-old...

[johngibo YPC]

Most importantly the crowd and his team mates did an excellent job of keeping his morale up which is exactly what was needed. Regardless of how good he actually is, when a young defender makes his first team debut at home, everyone around him needs to convince him that he is in fact Franco Baresi reborn for 90 minutes.

 

Yeah i thought the crowd were great with him. And he got plenty of support from teammates, noticed Lucas in particular. But he did look a bit like he had won a competition in the Echo. I'm glad they didn't attack at all put it that way

[Redwire]

Yeah i thought the crowd were great with him. And he got plenty of support from teammates, noticed Lucas in particular. But he did look a bit like he had won a competition in the Echo. I'm glad they didn't attack at all put it that way

 

There were still quite a few who got on his back when he got a bit unsure of himself with the ball at his feet first half. This was main stand / paddock though so not too much of a surprise.

[Gunga Din]

3/10

 

its the new 6/10

[stressederic]

3/10

 

its the new 6/10

 

Have you let Slapnuts know?

[Hightown Phil]

3/10

 

its the new 6/10

 

Seriously Wayne, what did you want him to do.

 

He's 18, he's never played before.

 

3 would mean he was s***. He wasn't. You can't give someone 3/10 for being nervous and inexperienced.

[cymrococh]

Yeah i thought the crowd were great with him.

I was made up with that, trying to imagine how I would feel in his lucky little shoes.

 

I'd be absolutely terrified of Carragher.

[Stevie H]

I was made up with that, trying to imagine how I would feel in his lucky little shoes.

 

I'd be absolutely terrified of Carragher.

why? because carragher might try to nut you or because carragher looked like a really crap tennis player?

[Flasher]

A Spanish 18 year old, playing centre back for Liverpool at Anfield - he would have been bricking it, as we all would, so fair play to him.

 

If you're on the wing at least you can hide a bit, but not centre back. Make a mistake and it could be a goal.

[Raj]

Seriously Wayne, what did you want him to do.

 

He's 18, he's never played before.

 

3 would mean he was s***. He wasn't. You can't give someone 3/10 for being nervous and inexperienced.

 

Agreed. I watched the game yesterday and I thought he fared ok.

[Tobes Rafa]

3/10

 

its the new 6/10

 

You post a heck of a lot of sense but in this instance I think you're being unnecessarily harsh.

[mally]

3/10

 

its the new 6/10

 

You're a harder man to please than I, Gunga Din.

[johngibo YPC]

A Spanish 18 year old, playing centre back for Liverpool at Anfield - he would have been bricking it, as we all would, so fair play to him.

 

If you're on the wing at least you can hide a bit, but not centre back. Make a mistake and it could be a goal.

 

To be fair Jack Hobbs gave a far more assured performance on his debut. Not having a go, just saying

[Frosty Jack]

To be fair Jack Hobbs gave a far more assured performance on his debut. Not having a go, just saying

 

But "Daniel Ayala" sounds like a world class defender, "Jack Hobbs" sounds like a chimneysweep.