Liverpool FC Forum

[Sabre]

You said against Spurs he didnt get much of the ball and the same to with Gonzalez against Bolton. Why is that, surely not just because the whole team chose to use Pennant as an outlet ?

IMHO team instructions. But then, I'm not a coach, just a supporter. You may be right. I think that in that two matches we tried always to find the weakest of their sides.

About Fabio Aurelio I think he hasn't impressed. But I think he's a quality player. But he's more a left back than a midfielder. In fact, he left Valencia because he didn't feel comfortable when we was asked to replace the injuried Vicente and said that's not his position.

gimme a break... you think ur arguing with 5 year olds ?!

Didn't mean to sound condescending, sorry.

[Scott P]

Rafa wont get rid of Gonzalez after his first season when he took so much time to get the lad over here.

Look at Kewell I rate him as a player but hasn't delivered as much as we all expected due to injuries etc, but Rafa still rates him so has kept faith and I believe that he will keep faith in Gonzalez as well and I hope he does as he is a direct player who under Rafa can develop into a great winger.

[davo_LFC]

I can see a similar pattern with gonzalez to cisse to be honest, it was blatantly obvious that cisse was a load of sh,ite after a few games and mark doesnt seem to be fairing much better. I have only seen him once at full pace down the wing and that has been disappointing in my eyes, i thought he'd be leaving defenders in his wake but it hasnt happened. Hes only put one good cross in that i can recall and that was against man ure for kuyt.

Hes a total passenger at the moment and he needs to show some fu.cking courage and get on the ball and make things happen otherwise he will never make it at this club. Maybe he just needs something to spark him into action but he needs to up his game sharpish.

Hes chipped in with the odd goals which is encouraging but his overall play has been highly disappointing. Perhaps he does need more time and i am certainly willing to give it to him but maybe a stint in the reserves might aid his cause.

[Sabre]

I don't disagree his bad form.

But mates, you're being a bit too harsh, especially when I see that you don't apply the same criteria to Pennant, he also had a bad form, he was more expensve and theoretically we should be asking more to Pennant than to Gonzalez.  I'm just asking to wait a lil longer to say he's not good enough.

For what is worth, Gonzalez has scored 3 goals. And Pennant has scored 1. Pennant had a bad form, so has Gonzalez. Correct me if I'm wrong but Pennant also has enjoyed more minutes than Gonzalez.

When you compare all the facts, the money spent on them, probably their wages, I don't see why there's so much difference in the criticism.

I think that the difference is that you've seen what Pennant can do in other english clubs and you know he's a good player, where as some of you are a bit more reluctant to give credit to the players you don't know well.

I think I've said too much about this topic. Until the next game of Gonzalez won't talk about it more

[LFC #1]

I think that the difference is that you've seen what Pennant can do in other english clubs and you know he's a good player, where as some of you are a bit more reluctant to give credit to the players you don't know well.

That's a fair point Sabre, you probably know Gonzalez as a player better than 99% (if not 100%) of people on here.

TBH I've been disappointed with him, but I am not going to slag him unneccessarily or lose faith in him either. However he needs to improve a lot. Red37 already made the point of his physical limitations, and he's a little wasteful with possession. I have seen a few positives though, namely his pace and willingness to take players on, he's also not afraid to have a shot with either foot from distance, so he's obviously confident in his own abilities.

I'm not sure he's quite good enough for us, particualrly if Kewell can find some form (not to mention fitness!), and my suspicion is that he won't live up to expecations. I'll happily be proven wrong though.

[Ace Ventura]

I don't disagree his bad form.

But mates, you're being a bit too harsh, especially when I see that you don't apply the same criteria to Pennant, he also had a bad form, he was more expensve and theoretically we should be asking more to Pennant than to Gonzalez.  I'm just asking to wait a lil longer to say he's not good enough.

For what is worth, Gonzalez has scored 3 goals. And Pennant has scored 1. Pennant had a bad form, so has Gonzalez. Correct me if I'm wrong but Pennant also has enjoyed more minutes than Gonzalez.

When you compare all the facts, the money spent on them, probably their wages, I don't see why there's so much difference in the criticism.

I think that the difference is that you've seen what Pennant can do in other english clubs and you know he's a good player, where as some of you are a bit more reluctant to give credit to the players you don't know well.

I think I've said too much about this topic. Until the next game of Gonzalez won't talk about it more

Pennant hasnt scored yet has he 

But tbh Sabre that is nothing to do with anything, so far attacks are constantly breaking down when they reach MG and he is not using the ball or well or stretching opponents.
Pennant has hardly set the world alight either but can do the basics so much better, pass, move create space for others and while his crossing isn't fantastic so far, it is still miles better and more varied than Gonzalez's.

[Scott P]

I think Gonzalez just needs a decent run of games without being rested or getting injured.  Once he has played a few games then he will become more confident and use to the premier league.  I think he will prove a few people wrong.

[peterc1992]

...bellamy is fast and mark gonzalez would never catch him in a million years, or cisse - they're what we class as 'fast'

on a side note, glad to see pennant settling down!

im not sure bout cisse but gonzalez would catch bellamy

[red37]

Semi-related article....




Benitez should add to the flanks Jan 3 2007
By Andy Proudfoot, Liverpool Daily Post


'TIS the season for mixed metaphors - the transfer window creaks open and the rumour mill grinds into action.

Last year saw Rafa spring a popular surprise in orchestrating the `second coming' of the revered Robbie Fowler, a decision which lifted the spirits of all those around Anfield even though the tangible impact on the team's results was always going to be less dramatic.

Inevitably this month will see a number of minor adjustments with fringe players leaving on temporary loan arrangements, some to gain experience and others to advertise their availability for permanent transfers.

But will Rafa feel the need to strengthen his squad, other than by the much-publicised requirement to find cover for Steve Finnan, probably through the recruitment of Lucas Neill?

The spine of the side is in rude good health: Pepe is back keeping clean sheets; the three centre-halves are all in excellent form; Sissoko's imminent return will ensure that we can rest Gerrard and Alonso occasionally; and the three main forwards are contributing, with Robbie ready to step in for any short-term requirement.

Little need, then, to worry unduly about the middle of the pitch.

The flanks, however, are a different story.

Although we obviously need to give Finnan a rest occasionally, it's unlikely that a new arrival would put any significant pressure on him given his recent outstanding form, or that he needs to fight off a challenge to his position to raise his own performance level.

Riise's recent displays, however, have revived doubts as to whether the occasional 30-yard netbuster compensates for his unreliable defending and erratic distribution.

For this reason alone I'd be sorry to see Stephen Warnock go, especially as a makeweight for Neill - the lack of cover just swaps sides in this event.

Pennant continues to frustrate, his performance against Bolton just highlighting what we've been missing for the rest of the season.

On the other wing neither Aurelio nor Gonzalez have staked a conclusive claim to the left touchline, though I think we've established that the former is no full-back.

[The Specialist]

Gonzalez was made out to be better than he was.

This highlights to me that you actually have never seen the lad play before much (maybe a video), and had false expectations of him.

And that's the same as most people's on this forum's problem...

From what I have read, most people expected him to be a Robben or Ronaldo-essque type of player.  Which simply isn't the case. Rafa didn't help things either by over-hyping him and claiming that he was "the best player Chilean player" or whatever he said.

You're entitled to your opinion of him, and can label him whatever you want. I, however,will still keep the faith in him as I know that what we have seen so far isn't at all up to what he can do and the player he can be. And at the very least, I expect him to play an active part in the squad for seasons to come. Not automatic first choice (Kewell when fit gets ahead of everyone), but as someone who adds depth to our squad and can do a job when called upon. For however badly he has been playing and under-par, I bet he still finishes the season with 7-10 goals. Remember, Stu? Goals win you games. GOALS GOALS GOALS. I bet you were singing his praises after MACCABI HAIFA. 

[Varekai]

Haha he's nowhere near to be the best chilean player. For those who enjoy watching soccer videos, take a look at Matias Fernandez.

The people who are highly dissapointed with Mark I think its because they were expecting way too much from him without knowing what his actual skills are. I played against him when we were younger, and I've seen pretty much every Universidad Catolica (his first team) games and the Chilean team games and he was never very good at crossing or passing, so obviously that is not one of the reasons why he got to liverpool. I've been watching the liverpool games since he got here, and people are being way too hard on him, even when he had decent games.


Anyways, I think the reason why he hasnt looked good yet its because he's making bad decisions, Im not sure why though. If he reads the forums we'll be sure why he's lacking confidence haha.....Also, the best games I've seen from him were when he wasnt playing as a left winger.


Para sabre: Viva claudio bravo haha

[The Specialist]

Haha he's nowhere near to be the best chilean player. For those who enjoy watching soccer videos, take a look at Matias Fernandez.

Best Argentinian nationalized Chilean player. 

[Varekai]

Haha dont even start, argentinans just cant handle that he feels chilean

[Kash_Mountain]

He's shi*e.

Harsh there Smeg, give the lad a chance.  He's only been at LFC 5 minutes.  Trust me, he'll come good.

[PabloAimar]

gonzalez aint lfc standard, simple as.

i cant believe wat im reading - sabre, you are trying TOO hard to defend him and it seems u've lost a grasp of reality. u compared alonso's atributes as a player to gonzalez... HELLO - alonso's atributes are PERFECT for a central midfeilder... gonzo is a winger with none of the desired qualities.

man utd buy players like ronaldo for £7M - and we sit here saying 'give gonzalez a season, he'll come good' - bulshit... sometimes u have to realise a bad investment, and cut your losses!