Liverpool FC Forum

by **maypaxvobiscum** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:25 pm

Liverpool's Ryan Babel was omitted from Holland's team for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier with Romania because of oversleeping, according to Oranje coach Marco van Basten.

Van Basten picked Real Madrid's Arjen Robben in place of Babel as a punishment after the Anfield player twice missed team meetings.

Van Basten said: 'It was the second time that Babel overslept on a match day. That should never happen.

'That's why I left him out of the team. Robben trained hard and he is fit, so he played instead.'

The Holland coach admitted Babel might feel deflated by the snub.

He said: 'It is very well possible that Babel feels disappointed. It is also not my style to handle these kinds of things this way. But we also expect that players obey rules during a match.

'The first time that he arrived too late, he settled the matter with a joke. The second time he joined us too late for the meal and that was a bit too much. He has to appear on time, just like all the others.'

Babel, 20, came into the match in the 78th-minute as substitute for Robben but could not prevent the Dutch from losing 1-0 to Romania in a clash between the two group leaders in Group G. Dorin Goian scored the only goal of the game.

Romania need five points from their last three games to be sure of qualifying for Euro 2008 while Holland are only two points ahead of third-placed Bulgaria.

by **red37** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:38 pm

Rip van Babel.

by **weringo** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:18 pm

Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

by **Forever_Red** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:22 pm

Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

Thats what I thought

That means Holland use him as a winger as well then?

by **tubby** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:28 pm

What a stupid to do.

by **puroresu** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:50 pm

Forever_Red wrote:
Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

Thats what I thought

That means Holland use him as a winger as well then?

more as a striker playing outside left. Holland play 4-3-3.

by **LFC2007** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:58 pm

puroresu wrote:
Forever_Red wrote:
Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

Thats what I thought

That means Holland use him as a winger as well then?

more as a striker playing outside left. Holland play 4-3-3.

He's most effective in one of two positions, either: i) As a striker, or as you say ii) outside left up front, high up.

He is not a winger, or at least not a conventional winger.

by **puroresu** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:52 pm

LFC2007 wrote:
puroresu wrote:
Forever_Red wrote:
Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

Thats what I thought

That means Holland use him as a winger as well then?

more as a striker playing outside left. Holland play 4-3-3.

He's most effective in one of two positions, either: i) As a striker, or as you say ii) outside left up front, high up.

He is not a winger, or at least not a conventional winger.

agreed. no way is a winger and the longer he is played in the role the less we will see the talent the kid has. If torres is out v everton then I would like to see Babel played up front.

by **coop** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:14 pm

yeah babel upfront would be good to see, something everton wouldn't be expecting. i think voro's due a start, the lad comes in and scores from off the bench.

by **europian-kings** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:27 pm

go on babel =]
id be fuked if i was a footy player then

i love my sleep

by **mungi** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:13 am

how does babel play in front of robben. does any1 know if kuyt gets a game?

by **No Mark** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:57 am

Van Basten must think very highly of Ryan Babel if he is suggesting that Babel would start ahead of Robben normally. As much as I hate Robben for his play acting and over dramatics, he is without doubt one of the best left wingers in the game, and I would of loved to have seen him arrive here in the summer, however doubtful that transfer would of been.

Robben's a genuine top, top footballer and although he had his problems with injuries at Chelsea, Chelsea are a much poorer team without his presence. In his first season at Chelsea, he was one of the best players in the league, and I feel with a bit more "love" and patience, Chelsea would of had a world class talent on their hands before long. Lucky for us, it's now Real Madrid that will reap the benefits of one of the best wingers in football, and not Chelsea.

If Babel can get anywhere near Robben's level, we would have some player on our hands, however I see Babel much more as a striker in future, not a winger.

by **FRfanatic** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:26 am

mungi wrote:how does babel play in front of robben. does any1 know if kuyt gets a game?

They don't play together.
Babel played as a winger, was S'*i*e, just like the rest of the team.
Kuyt still injured

by **KopSecret** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:21 pm

Yeah, I'd much rather see Babel & Voronin start up front against Everton, I've lost confidence in Crouchie these days, he's become a liability

by **Ace Ventura** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:20 pm

LFC2007 wrote:
puroresu wrote:
Forever_Red wrote:
Surely Robben would be in the team ahead of Babel naturally?

Thats what I thought

That means Holland use him as a winger as well then?

more as a striker playing outside left. Holland play 4-3-3.

He's most effective in one of two positions, either: i) As a striker, or as you say ii) outside left up front, high up.

He is not a winger, or at least not a conventional winger.

I am surprised alot more hasnt been made of this.
It is plainly obvious that he is not a winger, more a wide forward. But as we dont use that system then he is being asked to do things that he normally isnt, that cant be good for a young lad imo.
I would love to see him play as an actual striker to see if he is worth all the hype.

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