Well the Teamseems to be very happy for and with him,... why can´t we be like that in the same way?

I have been one of Torres' biggest critics and I don't like him as a personality, nor do I admire his character. I also believe he was intrinsic to the appointment of Benitez and I also believe he wasn't too enamoured of Robbie.

 

All that said, I have noticed an upturn in performances under his beloved "Rafa". He wasn't great in our "interim" managers's first 3 games. He missed chances. However, before then chances were not falling at his feet/head, so for me that represented an improvement. Now of course, in his last 3 games, he has converted chances. 5 in fact. Okay we can say 1 was a pen and 2 were rather lucky, but similarly he hit the bar against Sunderland to deny him his hattrick. Yes he has a habit of scoring against minnows but there is no denying he has looked better of late, and it doesn't matter who you're scoring against, goals can only breed confidence in a striker and he badly needed confidence. The best strikers score lucky goals so we have to bear that in mind.

 

There are bigger tests to come but if he plays well then I think he deserves recognition for that.

 

He's not my favourite he never will be and I would like him and the manager gone, but fair's fair, he is starting to look like a striker at last, though history tells us we should tread with caution where optimism is concerned.

 

On the other hand, he is by no means playing great from what i've seen. Many of the old flaws still remain, regarding touch etc, but the biggest criticism is that he's not putting himself in positions to score, and we can't level that criticism at him at the moment.

 

I didn't see the game today but I have seen the goals. He got his second assist under "Rafa" and his 5th goal (if indeed he gets credited with it). My only fear is that Roman is so relieved to see his trophy signing scoring he offers "Rafa" a ten year deal.

 

Under no circumstances do I want this manager to stay beyond the summer. In fact the sight of him on our bench makes me sick, and it always will.

Take note torres bashers! This man is probably the worst of them all but at least he is offering praise when it is due.

Jesus christ! He scored and set one up ffs! Doesn't matter how you try and spin it any striker in the world would take that every game!

Well it sounds easier when you spin it that way but let me ask you this, if the drogba of old or falcao had been playing for us would we only have an own goal and a lay off for an assist to talk about?

I hope Roman does not see FSW appointment as why Torres has hit form again, under no circumstance should he be at the club any longer than the last day of the season. I think he will know this given the fans reaction at games.

 

Well it sounds easier when you spin it that way but let me ask you this, if the drogba of old or falcao had been playing for us would we only have an own goal and a lay off for an assist to talk about?

Falcao was on a 5 game drought before the weekend so maybe?

Honestly why do you try to make everything so downbeat, we won, he scored we played well..

Get over it!

Take note torres bashers! This man is probably the worst of them all but at least he is offering praise when it is due.

 

I have always given him praise where it's due, it just hasn't been due very often. You on the other hand have creamed your knickers for two whole years, absolving Torres of any blame, and you have the temerity to accuse others of "spin". I would rein it in if I were you. We all know you want to snog Torres on a sandy beach.

Falcao was on a 5 game drought before the weekend so maybe?

Honestly why do you try to make everything so downbeat, we won, he scored we played well..

Get over it!

And responded with 8 goals in 2 games? I am just giving my honest opinion Torres did not have a good game today, it can be spinned in many directions such as, even though he played poor he got a 'goal' and an 'assist' but for me it is just more confirmation that we have seen the best of Torres at this club

Well it sounds easier when you spin it that way but let me ask you this, if the drogba of old or falcao had been playing for us would we only have an own goal and a lay off for an assist to talk about?

 

 

Quite possibly yes.

 

Lets not let Drogba's legendary staus cloud the events. There were plenty of games - especially against opposition like today in some two bob tournament, where Drogba didn't show up.

And responded with 8 goals in 2 games? I am just giving my honest opinion Torres did not have a good game today, it can be spinned in many directions such as, even though he played poor he got a 'goal' and an 'assist' but for me it is just more confirmation that we have seen the best of Torres at this club

This is the best he has played for us during his time at the club though.........

And responded with 8 goals in 2 games? I am just giving my honest opinion Torres did not have a good game today, it can be spinned in many directions such as, even though he played poor he got a 'goal' and an 'assist' but for me it is just more confirmation that we have seen the best of Torres at this club

That same argument has been used of goalscorers since time immemorial. "He was crap, all he did was score a couple of goals" Jimmy Greaves used to get it all the time. Not that I'm comparing Torres to Greavsie for a second, but when a goalscorer hits the back of the net, you have to give him credit.

 

Torres might not score again for the next few games. Then you can slag him off by all means, because he won't have been doing his job. But five in three games - forgetting for the moment the quality of the opposition - is good goalscoring form by any standards.

And responded with 8 goals in 2 games? I am just giving my honest opinion Torres did not have a good game today, it can be spinned in many directions such as, even though he played poor he got a 'goal' and an 'assist' but for me it is just more confirmation that we have seen the best of Torres at this club

 

I wouldn't say Torres has turned a corner or is 'back' or anything silly like that but his performances in his last few games can hardly be used as evidence for why he is finished at the club. Take a look at Daveys post for an actual well balanced assesment from someone who aint really a massive Torres fan.

Well I will just agree to disagree for me the only thing that has changed is a bit of luck. I just hope it does not impact us on going for a player like falcao

Edited December 13, 201213 yr by Fearnley

 

 

I didn't see the game today but I have seen the goals. He got his second assist under "Rafa" and his 5th goal (if indeed he gets credited with it). My only fear is that Roman is so relieved to see his trophy signing scoring he offers "Rafa" a ten year deal.

 

Under no circumstances do I want this manager to stay beyond the summer. In fact the sight of him on our bench makes me sick, and it always will.

 

 

And there we have it. I don't think it is any coincidence that this Torres Love/Hate (but mostly hate) thread has gained momentum since the appointment of the FSW.

 

I think many fear that should Torres now come good, Benitez will become more of a long-term fixture so it is no real surprise that there are many who would rather see Torres continue to fail at all costs.

 

It's a real dilemma!!

Edited December 13, 201213 yr by Nibs

Well I will just agree to disagree for me the only thing that has changed is a bit of luck. I just hope it does not impact us on going for a player like falcao

 

So luck has been responsible for all his 5 goals in the last 3 games?

 

That is some luck....

 

Of course he didn't have luck on his side after he saw a very good shot hit the bar denying him a hatrick against Sunderland, funny that eh!

So luck has been responsible for all his 5 goals in the last 3 games?

That is some luck....

Of course he didn't have luck on his side after he saw a very good shot hit the bar denying him a hatrick against Sunderland, funny that eh!

Look I could argue all day about this, time will tell all but I will be looking forward to the day he is replaced and this is all put to bed

It's a real dilemma!!

 

Good post, Nibs.

 

One thing we can all unite over is the fact that every time Torres scores, a little bit of every scouser dies.

 

That can only be a good thing.

Sadly Torres leaving is going to be the only option for most.

Many of whom dislike FSW with a passion have shifted some of the hate onto Torres because he is now contributing more to the cause (although he was doing better under Robbie too) and thus are afraid his form resurgance may lead to FSW getting the job full time.

It's a no win situation really.

I have always given him praise where it's due, it just hasn't been due very often. You on the other hand have creamed your knickers for two whole years, absolving Torres of any blame, and you have the temerity to accuse others of "spin". I would rein it in if I were you. We all know you want to snog Torres on a sandy beach.

You really shouldn't hold grudges over a message board! It is not good for you.

The "praise when its due" thing is what has annoyed me the most over the Torres saga. I didn`t like him, I didn`t want him when we signed him, but when he signed I hoped for the best while fearing the worst. When he plays sh*te I will say he`s been sh*te, when he plays well I will say he played well. The people that annoy are the ones who just cannot bring themselves to give him any praise what so ever and actively hunt for ways to belittle him no matter what he has done. He has scored against poor opposition of late, but he has played well in those games and you can only beat whats in front of you. For those 3 games he deserves praise, should he now go x amount of games against better opposition without scoring then he deserves stick. Pretty simple premise to work to really.

Look I could argue all day about this, time will tell all but I will be looking forward to the day he is replaced and this is all put to bed

 

 

It's not a case of whether time will tell as I am not saying he will come good or has turned a corner or predicting anything for the rest of the season- all I am saying is he has performed far better in his last 3 games and if he continued with that contribution for the rest of the season nobody would be complaining.

 

You on the other hand are saying that 'luck' is the only thing that has changed and that is complete poppy cock.

 

I am pretty sure your opinion could be proved wrong if someone provided his shots/game ratio in the last 3 games compared to his average for the rest of the season for example but whats the point. You are one of very, very few people who refuses to give any credit even when it is due.

Edited December 13, 201213 yr by mclovin83

It is not good for you.

 

And as I've told you before, I'm spoken for, and so is Torres.

 

We're both flattered by the attention however.

The "praise when its due" thing is what has annoyed me the most over the Torres saga. I didn`t like him, I didn`t want him when we signed him, but when he signed I hoped for the best while fearing the worst. When he plays sh*te I will say he`s been sh*te, when he plays well I will say he played well. The people that annoy are the ones who just cannot bring themselves to give him any praise what so ever and actively hunt for ways to belittle him no matter what he has done. He has scored against poor opposition of late, but he has played well in those games and you can only beat whats in front of you. For those 3 games he deserves praise, should he now go x amount of games against better opposition without scoring then he deserves stick. Pretty simple premise to work to really.

 

The only one we should work to, truth be told.

The "praise when its due" thing is what has annoyed me the most over the Torres saga. I didn`t like him, I didn`t want him when we signed him, but when he signed I hoped for the best while fearing the worst. When he plays sh*te I will say he`s been sh*te, when he plays well I will say he played well. The people that annoy are the ones who just cannot bring themselves to give him any praise what so ever and actively hunt for ways to belittle him no matter what he has done. He has scored against poor opposition of late, but he has played well in those games and you can only beat whats in front of you. For those 3 games he deserves praise, should he now go x amount of games against better opposition without scoring then he deserves stick. Pretty simple premise to work to really.

Is that not born from his own inconsistency though? I mean this is the second time already this season that he has come into 'form'. I suppose I just have very little sympathy knowing he was playing poorly for RDM, he is then sacked, a fsw is brought in and suddenly a man who picks up £160k a week is happy to put the effort in? I just can't bring myself to support that anymore and I'm sorry if that offends anyone but is that really the sort of player we need at the club? I know every club has their players who do that and not every player can be like mata but the whole saga just sickens me

Totally agree that when praise is due, it should be given.

 

However It's debatable that he deserves much praise for that performance today, the goal he scored was not going in until the defender deflected it in, so some credit for getting the shot off. He made a great pass to Mata which did lead to an own goal.

Bloody hell, can we just stop it, 5 goals in 3 games. It's a great return, some where lucky; others were good but the obvious parallel between the teams we faced is that these are pretty much the poorest teams we have played against in the last few months - lets see how he does in a prolong period of time like I've said these 5 goals don't change my mind about him but if he does it against Corinthians; Villa; Norwich; Everton etc that would go a long way. We still desperately need a striker virtually anyone out of Lorente; Ba; Jelavic; Lewandoski; would be an upgrade over Torres's average form in the space of two years.