Liverpool FC Forum

by **Pig Catcher** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:42 pm

After watching Ritchie Partridge impress after coming on as a substitute against Middlesborough, do you think he deserves to be given a run? He is a natural right-winger, and this has been a problem area for us recently.

He was extremely successful at Coventry when he spent the season on loan. He's got a bit of pace and most importantly he is able to run at players. He would give the midfield balance because right-side midfield is his natural position.

So do you think he should be given a chance to prove himself in the Premership?

by **115-1073096938** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:47 pm

Why not?

Josemi hasn't been good enough imo and i don't see the harm in seeing how Ritchie performs against Palace with Finnan behind him. If it doesn't work out you can always bring him off, i doubt he'd cost us the game either.

by **Pig Catcher** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:49 pm

stu_the_red wrote:Why not?

Josemi hasn't been good enough imo and i don't see the harm in seeing how Ritchie performs against Palace with Finnan behind him. If it doesn't work out you can always bring him off, i doubt he'd cost us the game either.

I agree Stu. Josemi has looked a bit rash of late, and Finnan's form has improved this season, I would be tempted to play Partridge at RM and Finnan at RB against Palace.

by **bigmick** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:55 pm

Always the danger with playing a team stuffed with kids is that when they win, you're tempted to drop everyone and stick 'em in. I think for Saturday, which despite what some have posted will IMHO be a very difficult game, one or at the most two youngsters/fringe players will be more than enough. Given that we will probably play either Pongolle or Mellor up front (preference here is for Pongolle. Despite last night I doubt whether Mellor is good enough) and that we are missing our influencial captain I wouldn't be inclined to stick Partridge in just yet. On the bench, if we are two up with ten minutes to go then by all means stick him on, but he's behind Warnock in the pecking order for me.

by **115-1073096938** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:59 pm

But we have no other right sided players. Warnock has to compete with Kewell, Riise and Traore.

I'd agree Steve Warnocks done well and is above Partridge though.

Warnocks the one out of all of them who looks like he could make it at present. Lets hope he fullfills his potential.

by **Redrider** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:13 pm

His time comes on the 'Last day of Christmas'

by **bigmick** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:17 pm

Nice Red, nice.

by **Pig Catcher** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:42 pm

bigmick wrote:Always the danger with playing a team stuffed with kids is that when they win, you're tempted to drop everyone and stick 'em in. I think for Saturday, which despite what some have posted will IMHO be a very difficult game, one or at the most two youngsters/fringe players will be more than enough. Given that we will probably play either Pongolle or Mellor up front (preference here is for Pongolle. Despite last night I doubt whether Mellor is good enough) and that we are missing our influencial captain I wouldn't be inclined to stick Partridge in just yet. On the bench, if we are two up with ten minutes to go then by all means stick him on, but he's behind Warnock in the pecking order for me.

I'm not saying we should chuck in a hat full of youngsters. The reason I suggested Partridge was beacuse the RM position has troubled us this season and Partridge looked lively when he came on, and that is his best position.

I do agree that the Palace game is going to be a tougher task than people think. I saw them against Arsenal and they passed the ball around superbly and they really get stuck in.

For the Palace game:

Kirkland

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Troare

Partridge Alonso Hamann Riise

Garcia
Baros

Thats hardly a team of youngsters is it Mick. Finnan gets the nod of Josemi because he is a bit more solid.

by **jim_morrison_supported_liverpool** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:44 pm

what about Biscan pig man?

thought he was our cult hero? surely he must play

by **bigmick** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:47 pm

Nope PC, you're quite right mate its hardly a team of youngsters. In actual fact, I didn't phrase the original post that well (there's a shock) and in the bit where I said something along the lines of "you're tempted to put all the kids in" where I've said you're I sort of meant I'm if that makes any sense at all. Reading it back, it doesn't so you're quite right to pull me up mate, sorry.

by **Pig Catcher** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:49 pm

jim_morrison_supported_liverpool wrote:what about Biscan pig man?

thought he was our cult hero? surely he must play

Well I would defenitely have him on the bench, and he is knocking at the first team door, just keep on doing what your doing Igor and you will get the reward your effort deserves.

I woulden't like to do a Houllier on him and stick out of position,I would only play him if there was space in the middle, I woulden't stick out on the right or at centre back.

by **JBG** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:02 pm

Unfortunately, unless something dramatic happens (like he comes off the bench and turns a major game in our favour) I think Partridge has missed the boat.

Nunez will be back soon and I bet Benitez is chomping at the bit to throw him on. Plus when Gerrard returns I wouldn't rule out the possibility of him occasionally playing right midfield so as to accomodate Hamman/Biscan and Alonso (I strongly disagree with this but Benitez tried it against Bolton).

Another factor is that we apparently came very close to signing Mallorca right back/wing back David Cortez in August, and the resurrection of that deal cannot be ruled out. With Potter and Finnan also in the equation and the likely arrival of a new midfielder next summer, I don't really see where Partridge fits in.

by **jim_morrison_supported_liverpool** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:20 pm

ok just to make you feel better i agree with this post.

by **Pig Catcher** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:32 pm

John Barnes' Granny wrote:Unfortunately, unless something dramatic happens (like he comes off the bench and turns a major game in our favour) I think Partridge has missed the boat.

Nunez will be back soon and I bet Benitez is chomping at the bit to throw him on. Plus when Gerrard returns I wouldn't rule out the possibility of him occasionally playing right midfield so as to accomodate Hamman/Biscan and Alonso (I strongly disagree with this but Benitez tried it against Bolton).

Another factor is that we apparently came very close to signing Mallorca right back/wing back David Cortez in August, and the resurrection of that deal cannot be ruled out. With Potter and Finnan also in the equation and the likely arrival of a new midfielder next summer, I don't really see where Partridge fits in.

So giving Partridge a new contract was pointless?

by **JBG** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:38 pm

It probably was yes, but I think there was a sympathy element to it, as Parry said at the end of last year that Ritchie had a bad time with injuries in 2003/04 and the club wanted to do the hounourable thing and give him another year so as to allow him to get back on his feet.

Only 3 days ago his agent turned down a loan move to Rotherham and claimed that Ritchie wants to go to West Ham.

He's 24, not exactly a chap anymore.

Liverpool FC Forum

Partridge - Give him a run

Who is online