Liverpool drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague, failing to get a shot on target in the whole game. David N'Gog started upfront and provided yet more questions about how he has found himself to in a team with such history and lofted ambitions.
When Rafa Benitez signed him from PSG the french club did not put up much of a fight, hence the low transfer fee. In 25 games he had scored 3 goals, two of those coming in one game in the French League Cup. At Liverpool he has improved his scoring rate slightly to 19 goals in 89 games.
This season he has scored 8 goals, five coming from the Europa League. His goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal was a powerful finish, beating Almunia at the near post, but I cannot fathom why he still gets games for Liverpool.
Quick quick, not bad in front of goal, he offers little as a leading front man (a poor man's Torres, even with the Spaniard in such dire form). He is not strong in the air, not technically proficient on the deck, does not stretch the channels, nor hold off defenders. He looks like he is at 80% all the time.
The fact he is edging towards a century of games for Liverpool is more of an indictment of their striking options over the last few years. Why Benitez selected him ahead of the enigma that is Ryan Babel shows his reign went downhill. Roy Hodgson, with no funds to spend, had to play him and was initially rewarded with goals but the Frenchman has returned to type.
The problem is, after being seduced by Liverpool, it is unlikely that N'Gog will settle for a stint at a team down the Premier League table, or in the Championship. He turned down a move to West Brom in the summer, but that is about his level. He is a Peter Odemwingie, a striker who does well if he gets into double figures for the season, which he has never done in his career.
I'm sure he tries his heart out, and hey, he is better than me, but I never seen what Bentiez has seen in him. If someone offers £5million they should bite their hands off because I do not see N'Gog making it in the Premier League, at least not for a side aiming for the Champions League.
The sooner Andy Carroll gets fit the better!
Showing posts with label Benitez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benitez. Show all posts
Friday, 18 February 2011
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Liverpool Fans Need to Calm Down
Now Roy Hodgson appears to be ready to sign a contract to become Liverpool manager, fans of the Anfield club need to adapt their expectations if they want the club to get out of the mess they are now in.
Did Rafa Benitez over-achieve in his six years in charge? A Champions League victory, an FA cup win, as well as another Champions League final appearance and a League Cup final loss, would point to a decent level of success. Finishing runners up in the Premier League in 2009 pointed to a club that, on the field at least, was heading in the right direction. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, never mind failing to mount another title challenge, show that question marks still remain over Benitez's tenure.
The most remarkable point may be the Spaniard's own admission that Liverpool still needed half a dozen world class performers. For a new incumbent, this almost comes as standard as the new manager tries to extract the biggest transfer budget from the boardroom. For someone in their sixth year in the job, having spent many, many millions, you have to wonder what they have been playing at. Players like Babel, Lucas, Riera have failed to impress, while an even greater concern could be the lack of talent coming through the academy. While Arsenal poached Fabregas and turned him into a world class playmaker, players like N'gog, El Zhar and Nemeth have failed to offer any hint of potential. Yet Benitez continued with them.
Liverpool need investment, an investment of money AND time. Hodgson is an expert at training ground drilling, running through the same scenarios and plays to get a highly organised outfit. With the special talent of Torres and Gerrard, the loveable Londoner should get more out of the team than Rudderless Rafa, but to expect titles and trophies with the current playing squad is asking far too much.
In the long term, a season or two out of the spotlight may be beneficial. The Americans may be forced to drop their price, especially if RBS decide to exert some pressure. A lower price, new ownership, less pressure, and the boys in Red can start the climb back to glory.
Without the transfer budget to entice a top class manager, the last thing Liverpool needs is to start hiring and firing managers with a narrow, short term view. But if Hodgson is to succeed he needs patience from the fans and the belief of the players. While Roy may not lead them to the holy grail of a Premiership title, he can get the club back on the right track, ready for the next man
Did Rafa Benitez over-achieve in his six years in charge? A Champions League victory, an FA cup win, as well as another Champions League final appearance and a League Cup final loss, would point to a decent level of success. Finishing runners up in the Premier League in 2009 pointed to a club that, on the field at least, was heading in the right direction. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, never mind failing to mount another title challenge, show that question marks still remain over Benitez's tenure.
The most remarkable point may be the Spaniard's own admission that Liverpool still needed half a dozen world class performers. For a new incumbent, this almost comes as standard as the new manager tries to extract the biggest transfer budget from the boardroom. For someone in their sixth year in the job, having spent many, many millions, you have to wonder what they have been playing at. Players like Babel, Lucas, Riera have failed to impress, while an even greater concern could be the lack of talent coming through the academy. While Arsenal poached Fabregas and turned him into a world class playmaker, players like N'gog, El Zhar and Nemeth have failed to offer any hint of potential. Yet Benitez continued with them.
Liverpool need investment, an investment of money AND time. Hodgson is an expert at training ground drilling, running through the same scenarios and plays to get a highly organised outfit. With the special talent of Torres and Gerrard, the loveable Londoner should get more out of the team than Rudderless Rafa, but to expect titles and trophies with the current playing squad is asking far too much.
In the long term, a season or two out of the spotlight may be beneficial. The Americans may be forced to drop their price, especially if RBS decide to exert some pressure. A lower price, new ownership, less pressure, and the boys in Red can start the climb back to glory.
Without the transfer budget to entice a top class manager, the last thing Liverpool needs is to start hiring and firing managers with a narrow, short term view. But if Hodgson is to succeed he needs patience from the fans and the belief of the players. While Roy may not lead them to the holy grail of a Premiership title, he can get the club back on the right track, ready for the next man
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