Obviously this has been a question playing on our minds for a good year or 2 now, well ever since Insua got his first start really.
Insua: Played on the back end of the last 2 seasons and we have all been wondering why he has'nt played more but I think Rafa has done the right thing waiting until now because when he played at the weekend, to me he looked really fired up and as if he was going out there to really stake a claim and I think he done that and that Rafa will be playing him a lot more now.
The thing I really like about Insua is his attacking ability, he joins into the attacks with ease and the way he ends up crossing and running with the ball you would think he was a left winger. IMO I think he is already our best left back.
Verdict - Ready
El Zhar: Another who has been on the lips of us Liverpool fans for a while now and I for one thought that when he played and scored that great goal in the Carling Cup last season that he was going to go on and play quite a few times but it turned out he did'nt. This season he has made quite a few appearances (all from the bench) and has had an impact by getting a couple of assists as well as being around the play when other goals have been scored. For example, Gerrard's goal at the weekend against Blackburn.
Where he has been playing in some games this season I think it will continue and in the new year I think he may well be starting as opposed to just coming on as a sub.
The only thing I am slightly worried about is the competition for places in midfield and that Kuyt is a regular feature on the right wing but I see no reason why El Zhar cannot compete with him as he offers us something totally different and teams don't know what to expect from him.
Verdict - Ready
Darby: Has only really been mentioned since around the start of pre-season when he showed some glimpses of what he has in terms of future potential. When he came on tonight he slotted straight into the game and did'nt look like a youngster who had just came on in a Champions League game. Some people say that it is harder for defenders to come on as a sub because the defence is usually working as a unit and they can have it playing on their minds that they might struggle to fit into that unit. Darby however, showed us tonight that it does'nt make a differance if you are a defender coming on or not regardles of how well Arbeloa was doing.
Personally I don't think he will get a lot of games this season even though Arbeloa is our only other right back (Degen wont be included until he stops getting injured every 5 minutes of playing time) because I get the feeling Rafa will do the same as what he done with Insua and not play him even though he appears to be ready as this could just build up the desire to stake his claim and will truly give his all when he does finally get the nod.
Verdict - Not Just Yet
Spearing: A difficult one to judge IMO. He has played in numerous friendlies and I believe he played against Galatasary did he not??
He has shown us that he could well be a very good player but it's whether or not he has that future at Anfield at the moment. We have a lot of players in his position such as Gerrard, Masch, Alonso, Lucas as well as Plessis. I'm not saying get rid of Spearing altogether, I am thinking on more of a loan deal so it gives him a chance to gain some extra experience. I thought he played well tonight and looked comfortable when with the ball and even though he could get in the team at the moment it would mean a lot of rotation in that position and I don't think it would be a good risk to take while we are hunting down number 19. I think he should be given the Carling Cup and a role in the FA Cup.
Verdict - Not Until Next Season At The Earliest (after all, time is on his side given his age)
Martin Kelly: Came on for Carragher which is not an easy thing to do for any player let alone an 18 year old. Hyypia wont be at the club in a playing role for much longer in all honesty and if Kelly would be happy to sit in the reserves, playing a bit part role until Carragher starts to dwindle out and then start to learn from Agger and Skrtel which will become a defensive force then Kelly has the potential to become a very good player for us. He looked confident enough tonight and he played well. Just slightly worried that he might not want to wait a few years for his chance.
Verdict - No Until Hyypia Leaves
Plessis: Broke onto the scene against Arsenal last season and done very well, he also played a few more games since then and done well, along with scoring a goal this season. I think like Spearing the midfield is too packed for him to have a regular spot at the moment but I think he is closer to it than Spearing.
Verdict - Ready, Just A Case Of Forcing His Way In[/b]
Hobbs: I don't think we can really discuss until we know whether or not he will be staying because where he would have had a season of first team football he might not want to stay at a club where he is'nt guarenteed a place. Him and kelly could have the potential to become our future centre backs IMO. (providing they are willing to bide their time)
Verdict - n/a until we know his future in the summer
IMHO I think Rafa prefers to play them a few times and then not play them even though they and the fans may feel as if they are ready to play as it builds up the deire and passion to stake a claim in the team. It may sound silly but it appears as if he has done that with Insua and El Zhar.
From that list I think only Insua and El Zhar are likely to play more than 10 games for us this season.
We have a very good, talented bunch of youngsters and even though the kids at Arsenal are already playing on a regular basis they don't appear to be developing much where as Rafa seems to know what he is doing in order to get the full potential out of them. Don't get me wrong, Wenger has done a good job with some of them but other than Fabregas none of them really stand out. (Walcott does'nt count because Southampton made him).
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