Benitez: Need for Speed

[Andyjandy]

if he was he is right

[AE]

Robbie off to join big fat ead Sam then.

 

I'm off for a cry.

[Leo No.8]

Totally agree we need at least one forward with genuine pace and quality this summer, probably two. But does anyone else read into this that Rafa is going to let Robbie go at the end of the season? He's being very guarded with his comments regarding Fowler.

 

I've got a feeling he might. I think he may like to have Robbie as a backup, but knows as soon as whoever he brings in goes a couple of games without scoring its pressure on from the locals to put Fowler back in.

 

I actually think people booing the Fowler substitution against Fulham has made Rafa think twice about whether he needs the hassle.

 

Myself I'd love to see Fowler and Crouch joined by two top class strikers with pace and skill and who know where the net is, but I'm worried Rafa may be ruthless over Robbie - he can be when he feels its the right thing to do...

Edited April 10, 2006 by Leo No.8

[Guest SalvaTore]

Michael Owen.

 

Or Speedy...

 

Or Bellamy ?

[Guest Sabre]

I think it's more a case of giving Robbie more time to work on his fitness and with Ayesteran's methods, see whether his stamina can be improved between now and the end of the season. If Rafa has the money and he is able to persuade players to sign who are better than Robbie, then he should sign them. Simple as that. If he doesn't have the money for say, two strikers, and Robbie is able to improve his fitness, he may well keep him for another season.

[CarraLegend]

Totally agree we need at least one forward with genuine pace and quality this summer, probably two. But does anyone else read into this that Rafa is going to let Robbie go at the end of the season? He's being very guarded with his comments regarding Fowler.

 

I've got a feeling he might. I think he may like to have Robbie as a backup, but knows as soon as whoever he brings in goes a couple of games without scoring its pressure on from the locals to put Fowler back in.

 

I actually think people booing the Fowler substitution against Fulham has made Rafa think twice about whether he needs the hassle.

 

Myself I'd love to see Fowler and Crouch joined by two top class strikers with pace and skill and who know where the net is, but I'm worried Rafa may be ruthless over Robbie - he can be when he feels its the right thing to do...

 

Nah I reckon it's nailed on he's staying, think Rafa is just keeping him on his toes really. I reckon Cisse and Nando will both go and Crouch and Fowler joined by two others, well hopefully anyway.

[Mike]

i think its a case of if rafa has room for a ceremonial striker. if he does, robbie will stay...if he doesn't i don't think it matters how many he scores in the coming games.

[chrisbonnie]

23, its Torres, no doubt

 

whats the price for getting it right?

[Owen1978]

So who is 23 years old and has pace?

[matty]

i think its a case of if rafa has room for a ceremonial striker.

 

forgotten that. legendary.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

He's scored on each of his last 3 starts. One thing with Robbie - even if he's playing anonymously, he'll still score; that can't be said for any of our other strikers.

 

He's already our joint 7th scorer this season (6th in the League) & only played 2 EC games & no other Cup games.

 

It's up to Rafa, but I think he's done enough to warrant a contract

[Raj]

I think he may like to have Robbie as a backup, but knows as soon as whoever he brings in goes a couple of games without scoring its pressure on from the locals to put Fowler back in.

 

I actually think people booing the Fowler substitution against Fulham has made Rafa think twice about whether he needs the hassle.

 

 

I can't believe that will influence his decision.

The only reasons for not keeping Fowler, would be that he signs players who offer more qualities than Fowler does.

 

I'd keep him. He scores goals and has had a positive impact since he signed. I think Morientes and Cisse will be off with 2 other strikers brought in. Kuyt and Owen would be an improvement in my opinion.

[HeWonItFromBrock]

Totally agree we need at least one forward with genuine pace and quality this summer, probably two. But does anyone else read into this that Rafa is going to let Robbie go at the end of the season? He's being very guarded with his comments regarding Fowler.

 

I've got a feeling he might. I think he may like to have Robbie as a backup, but knows as soon as whoever he brings in goes a couple of games without scoring its pressure on from the locals to put Fowler back in.

 

I actually think people booing the Fowler substitution against Fulham has made Rafa think twice about whether he needs the hassle.

 

Myself I'd love to see Fowler and Crouch joined by two top class strikers with pace and skill and who know where the net is, but I'm worried Rafa may be ruthless over Robbie - he can be when he feels its the right thing to do...

 

I also have a nagging feeling that he won't keep him if he gets the strikers in that he wants. I think one of the reasons Houllier got shot is that he was sick of all of the questions at press conferences about Fowler and it was detracting from the team which is what Rafa and Houllier value above all else.

 

However having said that there are a lot of signs he will stay - getting him fit for the last 4 games doesn't make much sense, and he often talks about the passion that Fowler has for the club.

[liverbird04]

can't see rafa keeping fowler for sentimental reasons ,the onus is on fowler and he's not doing too bad so far.

[st.johns]

When Rafa says

"There is no doubt that Robbie is a top class player, but you also need qualities in the team like pace and stamina if you want to win trophies.

 

is he not also implying that Robbie has neither??

 

I don't care if they have to bring him on in a wheelchair and give him oxygen, at half time.

If he scores goals , that's good enough for me

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Wonder if Rafa is having second thoughts about Owen, maybe he took a look at his injury record.

[CarraLegend]

So who is 23 years old and has pace?

 

Defoe, Stead and Yakubu.

[Benitez]

Defoe, Stead and Yakubu.

 

 

I reckon Yakubu's closer to 33

[Flasher]

I reckon Yakubu's closer to 33

 

 

Without question. Over rated and over aged.

[jimmylibel]

To me that sounds like he's preparing the ground for Robbie leaving.

[McBain]

Without question. Over rated and over aged.

 

No idea what age he is but he's a very good player

[CarraLegend]

Without question. Over rated and over aged.

 

He's good, dont think he's great or anything though. 19 in 50 games this season is a good return although he is a penalty taker aswell (Not saying they dont count, but can make strikers look better than they are)

[Ombudsam]

He's already our joint 7th scorer this season

 

what a statistic to quote.

 

 

I don't think the issue of fowler going or staying is that interesting apart from the fact it's fowler. He's only gonna be 4th/5th choice anyway.

 

I think Benitez after realising last year that he needed a more physical approach, has come to acknowledge the other half of the athleticism required to succeed in this country

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I've been wondering for a long time if rafa was blind to the need of pace in the prem.

 

good to see he isn't.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

what a statistic to quote.