Our man... Raheem. I'm not trashing him... far from it. He works hard, runs fast and gets himself into all the right positions. Runs past defenders. The frustrating bit is the lack of end product. Unable to control a hard pass or a high ball. Unable to deliver a good finish reliably. He does have the trappings to become a great player... he is still young; however... its knowing he is close... just not quite there yet with his control that puts him on a fine line between scintillating and useless that makes him so frustrating.
I think other clubs will be having a say on the most frustrating football and each clubs will have their own. Newcastle fans must be left wondering each week which Ben Arta is going to turn up, Brilliant one week and utter **** the next. Raheem... No where near as frustrating as some of them out there and still too young to expect the finished article.
With Raheem its not frustrating because he is bad or inconsistent... its frustrating because the chances he misses are the kind of thing you know when he's 23 he'll have the technical ability and wisdom to put away. (Hope he is still with us then... and he lives up to potential) He makes some sublime runs and gets into great positions and just never (or rarely) takes full advantage of them.
when he was 16 he never got his head up at all. he's now what... 19? he's got a bit to learn yet... but yeah he can be useless unless he's really positive.
Ryan Babel was a frustrating player until it dawned on me that he was just awful. Other players that would frustrate me if they played for Liverpool would be Nani or Di Maria, both can be great one week then awful the next. Its mostly wide players for some reason that tend to frustrate fans.
He is only 19. Walcott was sort of similar at that age, but now he normally always picks the correct decision when he is in a good position (unless he is playing for England).
ross barkely was doing it earlier in the season. he's improved rapidly and is a great potential now. walcott.... runner... not much more. I would compare sterling to SWP who is a similar stature... sterling needs to do better than that guy.
Apart from the 20 goals he scored last season, he does not do much more. And he has five this season, despite missing a few months with an injury. Yeah, a runner, not much more.
I understand what you are saying and I've been known to say Raheem will be another Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott, SWP, etc; lots of pace but not a lot else. (harsh considering his age I know) However, I don't think he is even the most frustrating player at Liverpool, never mind the league or world! I think Sturridge, Johnson and Aspas are far more frustrating than Sterling!
Last season, all his good play came before January. What did he do just before the window opened? Oh yeah, that's right, he signed a new contract. He's done **** all since. I expect him to start playing well (assuming he can stay fit) in the new year though, it is a world cup year after all Don't get me wrong, he is a very good player and I wouldn't complain if he was at Liverpool, although I would moan a lot if we paid to sign him! He just isn't anything near the hype he gets. Plus, he lacks a brain!
Done **** all since? He scored 2 and set up our winner against Newcastle in the past week for a start. Clearly you have not been watching Arsenal very closely, then and that's understandable as you are a Liverpool fan. Walcott is a very effective player for us and always has either a goal or assist in him. The football brain is the classic nonsensical comment made by those that do not watch Walcott much and judge him on his performances for England. If Walcott lacked a brain he would not managed the score amount of goals he has scored in the last season and a half. He has excellent movement and has become an expert at timing him runs from the right into the middle. England make Walcott look a lot worse than he is because they play him as a winger and expect him to beat a man and cross the ball, which is clearly not his game. The idiots at England, should either play to Walcott's strength or never pick him.
Johnson is by far our most frustrating player. So much ability. Two years ago all I heard was how **** he was and people questioning how he got into the England squad - people who clearly never watched him play. Now, however, he plays like garbage despite his ability. So arrogant and lazy. That's what happens when you earn 100k for doing **** all, knowing full well no one can take your spot in either the LFC team or the England team. Massive let down and massively frustrating. Sterling is good (we have better prospects) and is a little frustrating, but that is mostly inexperience and he'll learn. If he turns out like Walcott, I'll be very happy. Not a world beater, but the pace to break any defensive line or counter attack past a full back and the composure to knockl a goal in from a few chances.
I've not seen Arsenal recently so fair enough if he did that against Newcastle, I take everything I said back The brain comment wasn't aimed at just his England performances, it was in reference to him ****ing things up when he has time to think about what he's going to do. England do make him look worse though, that I agree with. I notice you didn't respond to the part of only playing when there is something to play for though
He's got plenty to play for, now though. The title for a start and also now his place in the team, what with as having so many attacking players who can play in a variety of different positions. Playing for the top four and always being guaranteed your place in the team can have an effort on motivation, I guess. I read somewhere that Walcott only started playing football when he was 10 or something, which goes to explain why at times he can look so unnatural on the ball. He clearly has no tricks up his sleeve, but he has two excellent weapons in his locker. Speed and the ability to finish.
I didn't mean things to play for as a team, I meant as an individual; ie a contract, world cup place, etc. As I said, I wouldn't mind Walcott at Liverpool but I wouldn't like to see us sign him if that makes sense. In other words, I wouldn't to see us spend a massive amount on him because I think his abilities are limited. I said similar of Michael Owen when he was with us. I just think you have better players than Theo
Effectiveness is different to quality. Reira was very effective for us when he signed because he provided much needed balance to the side but he was still ****. But fair enough, as you said, you watch him more than me
walcott is a brainless player. arsenal have 4 better players. carzorla, ozil, poldoski(yeah even him) and whilshire... thats not even including flamini and ramsey... What arsenal need (chortle) is suarez not walcott. Best of luck with the next 19 games.... it'll be interesting, i just hope to F someone keeps utd out of the top 4... even if not us. everton would be the most ironic ending but i'd rather us.
