Riise at LB

[Ombudsam]

I said he only played LB v shytre teams at home. Yesterday he palyed against Man U who aren't shyte and weren't at anfield. As well as this he played well bar about two occasions but i think it was Rooney and Giggs who did for him and they're world class. So fair play. Hopefully he can continue that and i'll take that as a positive from yesterday

[Bailo]

He slipped v Giggs as well.

[allez les rouges]

He slipped v Giggs as well.

 

as a defender he has without doubt improved under rafa

[Romario]

I was surprised to see Giggs with so much energy and pace tearing down our flanks late on.

This must be about his 12 season at ManU. Pretty impressive really.Must look after himself.

[Stevie H]

I was surprised to see Giggs with so much energy and pace tearing down our flanks late on.

This must be about his 12 season at ManU. Pretty impressive really.Must look after himself.

 

think he's more like 14 or 15 years there. made his debut at 16 and he's 31 now?

[Romario]

think he's more like 14 or 15 years there. made his debut at 16 and he's 31 now?

Bloody hell. Didn't realise that! Very impressive indeed.

[Scally Bob]

Riise does have the pace to play left back, it's his positioning and reading of the game that lets him down. No matter how quick you are you can't give people half a yard and expect to catch up. Slow players who can anticipate what will happen can make up for a lack of pace-look at Henchoz and De Zeeuw at Wigan.

 

I am not one of Johnny Boy's biggest fans but Rafa obviously rates him and perhaps now he has a new contract he can focus and improve his game.

Edited January 23, 2006 by Scally Bob

[Mikey]

Riise does have the pace to play left back, it's his positioning and reading of the game that lets him down. No matter how quick you are you can't give people half a yard and expect to catch up. Slow players who can anticipate what will happen can make up for a lack of pace-look at Henchoz and De Zeeuw at Wigan.

 

I am not one of Johnny Boy's biggest fans but Rafa obviously rates him and perhaps now he has a new contract he can focus and improve his game.

CB's mate like I said.

 

Fast FB's can give players 1/2 a yard and more and still catch them, Ashley Cole does it every week, and that 'art' kept Silvestre at LB for United for 3 seasons.

 

I think JAR is worth his contract because of the versatility he offers to Rafa, with him in the squad, side or on the bench he can cover LB, LM, even CB or left side of a 3, he could also play CM as he has done in the past for Norway.

 

He's a decent PL player and scores some good goals for us, personally I'm not expecting him to be 'first choice' in any position 12 months from now.

 

Not a criticism by the way.

[BG]

Personally, looking at our goals against column and given that JAR is quite good going forward, I think left back is a low priority.

 

For me the real priority is a reliable finisher and a right sided winger/midfielder.

[Ombudsam]

Riise does have the pace to play left back, it's his positioning and reading of the game that lets him down. No matter how quick you are you can't give people half a yard and expect to catch up. Slow players who can anticipate what will happen can make up for a lack of pace-look at Henchoz and De Zeeuw at Wigan.

 

I am not one of Johnny Boy's biggest fans but Rafa obviously rates him and perhaps now he has a new contract he can focus and improve his game.

 

after a promising start to the season he's gone downhill

[Cobs]

think he's more like 14 or 15 years there. made his debut at 16 and he's 31 now?

he's 32.

 

 

Two years to the day younger than me.

 

 

The cn*t.

[Scally Bob]

OK hands up about Henchoz and De Zeeuw they are CB's and Henchoz is struggling a bit. What I meant was that defenders-in any position-who are aware of space around them and read the game can get away with having no pace.

 

I just don't think Johnny Boy is a "natural" left back. Ashley Cole might catch wingers he's given a start to but generally he doesn't get himself into that mess. Look at Rob Jones: he was quick, yes, but his positioning meant he rarely had to catch people up. And you can't say he learned to do it, he couldn't even be taught to tie his shoelaces! It's the nack of being in the right place at the right time and it's only my opinion but I don't think Riise has that. Consequently he gets caught out and you don't want your full backs doing that too often. Finnan doesn't do it.

 

Like I said, hopefully the new contract will allow him to focus fully on improving his game and if Rafa thinks he's good enough, then he is.

Edited January 23, 2006 by Scally Bob