2021/22 James Rodriguez

[FrenchDarrenBent]

if Benitez acts the fool with him he'll lose the dressing room. I don't think he'll be that stupid though.

He's hardly a leader like Duncan Ferguson is he? Does he even speak English Well enough to complain to his English teammates?

 

[ToffeeTim]

Now I'll just wait for this stupid club to do something like not name him in our 25-man PL squad.

Do we have even have 25 players?

We can't play every game the same way. Sometimes the onus will be on us to break teams down and control possession in a more measured manner.

To me we just have to treat James a bit like a special teams player. It is what it is and ironically is probably the role that suits him best - it doesn't overwork him and with pace and power around him actually should get the best out of him.

Should we play him when we want to be playing a counter-attacking style? Absolutely not.

When we're playing utter dross like Watford and Norwich then yes I'd like to see him play.

As I've said before it's a 50 50 thing. He has no real alternative but to knuckle down and try and get into the team like everyone else. And if he does his end then he should be in matchday squads.

I still think direct football and getting good delivery into the box to Richarlison and DCL will work against the lesser sides as well though.

 

[BlueToff]

He has to think about the whole package, he isn't some infatuated fan who chooses players because of a goal scored at a world cup a decade ago.

Benitez will be weighing up how much his inclusion gives to the team and also what it takes out in terms of losing shape and protection down the right (his only possible inclusion forced on him would be to play him as a no.10) and the ramifications it might have for morale.

Of course he has to think about the whole package.

We can name an 18-man squad for each game. In our last PL game, two of our subs were GKs and we didn't even name a full bench, David.

Don't preach to me about 'the whole package'. If James is fit and available then he should be in each squad. That doesn't mean starting.

 

[BlueToff]

Do we have even have 25 players?


As I've said before it's a 50 50 thing. He has no real alternative but to knuckle down and try and get into the team like everyone else. And if he does his end then he should be in matchday squads.

I still think direct football and getting good delivery into the box to Richarlison and DCL will work against the lesser sides as well though.

And James just happens to be the best crosser of the ball at the club.

Don't know if you've noticed how dross our set-pieces have been so far this season, mate?

Again though, doesn't have to play every game. He can easily fit into a more direct style too, just all depends on the opponent. Look at the goal he sets up in derby at Anfield (or the one at Goodison where he plays the pass down the line for Digne to cross for DCL), or the goal he scores at Old Trafford or the one v Leicester.

All of those, and they're just off the top of my head, were pretty direct.

 

[davek]

Really must hate it here

The ones in the bibs are first team and bench for Monday.

Looks like Iwobi involved in some capacity

 

[BlueToff]

The ones in the bibs are first team and bench for Monday.

Looks like Iwobi involved in some capacity

I guess Dom and Richy are on the bench then

 

[4737carlin]

if Benitez acts the fool with him he'll lose the dressing room. I don't think he'll be that stupid though.

The dressing room? I doubht it, unless you mean the.columbian dressing room, highly doubt James is a major face around finch farm.

 

[davek]

I guess Dom and Richy are on the bench then

They had them on early in that session.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

He's hardly a leader like Duncan Ferguson is he? Does he even speak English Well enough to complain to his English teammates?

Spot on mate ?

 

[BlueToff]

They had them on early in that session.

Richarlison doesn't. Godfrey starts with one on then takes his off.

Stop chatting wham Dave.

And btw, I absolutely agree James should be on the bench, not straight in the side, on Monday.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Really must hate it here

Didn't look fit to me. Too much vaping probably the 'kin waster

 

[COYBL25]

Really must hate it here

He’s the king of popcorn and is now living in some peoples heads on here.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

The dressing room? I doubht it, unless you mean the.columbian dressing room, highly doubt James is a major face around finch farm.

The South American lads will all be good mates.

 

[granter79]

Richarlison doesn't. Godfrey starts with one on then takes his off.

Stop chatting wham Dave.

And btw, I absolutely agree James should be on the bench, not straight in the side, on Monday.

Come on when needed. Squad game

 

[Barnfred 55]

Now I'll just wait for this stupid club to do something like not name him in our 25-man PL squad.

If they don't it won't be a 25 man squad. Unless they include both Siggy and Tosun