Owzat wrote:kazza wrote:Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel can shine at Anfield now the transfer window is closed.
Does that mean he's going to actually PLAY BABEL......................?!?! The only positions Rafa is likely to play him in are left side and CF, very occaisionally he plays on the right. This season Babel has not had much chance, N'Gog has played four minutes short of twice as long
BABEL (LIVERPOOL)
07/08 : 49 apps, 2565 mins, 10 goals. (27 x 60+ mins)
08/09 : 42 apps, 1672 mins, 4 goals. (9 x 60+ mins)
09/10 : 17 apps, 593 mins, 3 goals (5 x 60+ mins)
He's gone from 52 mins per appearance to 40 down to 35. I find Rafa's comments rather bemusing, he's hardly given him a game this season (around 6.5 x ninety minutes worth of playing time) and 'now' he's saying he can shine!!! Last time he had a full 90 mins was in the Carling Cup back in OCTOBER, he's played 150 mins in seven appearances since.
Should he get a chance ahead of N'Gog? I think he is an alternative, whether he's better is debatable. I'd say he could be better used, I'm guessing there's more chance defenders will be worried by Babel running at them than N'Gog, even if it ends in nothing.

As usual....