Perez is getting picked because the alternatives are worse, basically. We should have brought in better but Rafa has what he has and is making the most of it. I think there was a long-range shot and a cross in the second half today which were abysmal, but Perez does actually do reasonably well linking up in the last third with Ritchie and his work when we are not in possession is also pretty good.
Let's be charitable and say it's highly debatable. And if Rafa did play Diame, people (maybe even Ben 10) would be moaning about him just the same. It's pretty obvious that Rafa doesn't think Murphy is ready for 1st team football just yet which is fair enough, and there's no guarantee at all that he'd be even considered for the no 10 role since he's viewed more as a winger.
Souness was bitter as **** yesterday at half time he creamed his knickers like an excited fairy boy when he was talking about Coutinho then when discussing Joselu's goal all he could say was how Joselu best buck his ideas up if he expects to get that much time on the ball in this league. What a bitter little man ey. Scottouser ****.
TBF I thought he was giving us fair dues at the end of the game. Also he's right about Joselu (who actually I think has done a good job for us) he wasn't decisive enough but got the luck which is all you need sometimes! Also he was quite right about Shelvey. If he gets it together he's a very big problem for the oppo. Always looking to find the killer pass. He was excellent yesterday.
Compared to Michael Owen he's fine. Sounness was never particularly fondly thought of in Newcastle, he came in and was expected to do poorly and then set about destroying a very good Bobby Robson side - it really was quite impressive how badly he did with a team that had been fighting for Champions League spots. He was poor but he doesn't need to hide the fact he preferred Liverpool, the job he did on destroying them was far more impressive! I quite like the vastly lowered expectations of Newcastle fans in general at the moment. We don't flinch at people saying we're not that good as they are correct I commented to the scousers I work with that if Liverpool had done their homework they would have left Joselu to run in by himself and shoot - he'd have hit the corner flag.
Dont they say that the best strikers are in the right place to score. Much rather watch players who are limited work their arses off than brilliant players who couldnt give a toss. Of course the ideal situation would be brilliant players who work their arses off but thats not going to happen until the Middle East consortium are in place.