Fernando Torres

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Most of my frustration towards Torres is not purely because he hasn't been scoring. It's because from the moment he joined us until now except for 4 or 5 games, he has shown the skills of an average footballer. When he tries to dribble, he loses the ball. When he tries to run past a player, he loses the ball. He has lost pace and is so bereft of confidence that it is extraordinary.

His run that set up Kalou's goal against Newcastle..... The old Torres would have scored that. Look at the goal again. He almost lost the ball due to poor control. His assist for Mata against Leverkusen was similar. Old Torres woulda scored that.

I agree that my criticism can be over the top at times but it's purely due to frustration and he hasn't been helping himself on occasions by showing no interest on the pitch

That's the biggest factor, rather than lack of goals.

[MGuerreiro 252]

You answered your own question (check the parts I bolded in your post)

Not really no, my question was about the timing. As you can see if you read the rest of the post.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Not really no, my question was about the timing. As you can see if you read the rest of the post.

It's still valid. Because in the time he did play, and start, which was during the first few months of this season, he did the "1 step forward, 2 backwards" phase. Then André then stuck with him, even after he got himself sent off.

Drogba's been biding his time. Yes he put in some pathetic performances when coming off the bench, but when we finally needed him, he came through. Now Torres is giving the same poor attitude when he's called upon, and he continues to show no passion or interest in the game.

I don't blame him. This was a the wrong move for his career, and I believe if he went back to Spain he's find that passion back.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Now Torres is giving the same poor attitude when he's called upon, and he continues to show no passion or interest in the game.

The only games Torres didn't show any "passion" in recently is against Liverpool - both games.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

The only games Torres didn't show any "passion" in recently is against Liverpool - both games.

Your optimism in him, is greater than mine then.

I see no desire from him, I just see him doing this as a 'job'. Unlike when he was at Leti & Liverpool.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I can't say i'm optimistic about him, just don't agree with this - "he continues to show no passion or interest in the game"

And you didn't see any desire from him against Wolves? or Newcastle?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I can't say i'm optimistic about him, just don't agree with this - "he continues to show no passion or interest in the game"

And you didn't see any desire from him against Wolves? or Newcastle?

Fair enough.

I saw glimpses, but not a constant desire. Which worries me.. Because he's the type to totally disappear when things aren't going well.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

I have no doubt that Torres does try hard to make himself useful, but my biggest fear is what'll happen if he goes into another slump? How long will it be before he can pull out of that one? And many people say that the support from midfield is so poor, that Torres has nothing to work with. Now suppose we had Modric as well as Mata.. Its not as if these two players would be available in every game....Does that mean Torres will work only if the "right" players are behind him? I certainly hope he can pull himself together and prove to all his doubters that he's not just here for the trophies...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I have no doubt that Torres does try hard to make himself useful, but my biggest fear is what'll happen if he goes into another slump? How long will it be before he can pull out of that one? And many people say that the support from midfield is so poor, that Torres has nothing to work with. Now suppose we had Modric as well as Mata.. Its not as if these two players would be available in every game....Does that mean Torres will work only if the "right" players are behind him? I certainly hope he can pull himself together and prove to all his doubters that he's not just here for the trophies...

Exactly.

Both Drogba & Sturridge have managed to get Mata's excellent delivery and be able to score. So it's not like service is as weak as we make out. Torres has failed to also capitalise on this, failed to use his strength to get past defenders.

(for those who don't believe he has strength, reference his goal in the Euro 2008 final).

[DJ Nevin 24]

But Torres has rarely been played with Mata (when he was he played well). He seems to be constantly teamed with Lampard and Malouda.

[Sheva. 5,373]

But Torres has rarely been played with Mata (when he was he played well). He seems to be constantly teamed with Lampard and Malouda.

This is very true.

They've both started together against - Leverkusen, Man utd, Swansea, Valencia, and Arsenal.

Apart from the Arsenal game, he played well in the others.

[Henri 115]

Maybe they just dont get along?. Something by the way Boas react lately tells me that there could be some players vs. coach behind doors?,

just a bad feeling, Hopeful totally wrong.

[Hd123 5]

It's now been almost a year and I am still in shock and disbelief that we blew 50m on him.

The footballing world is truly strange, in fact, I think regular people would make better managers/owners based on the transfers that occured in these past few years.

It looks like he will leave this January, and for a fee of 25-30m, I'd drive him to the destination myself. One thing is true though, Torres is a confidence player. And anyone who thinks you will get confidence from sitting on the bench + playing 7 minutes is completely wrong.

[Steve 10,227]

It looks like he will leave this January, and for a fee of 25-30m, I'd drive him to the destination myself. One thing is true though, Torres is a confidence player. And anyone who thinks you will get confidence from sitting on the bench + playing 7 minutes is completely wrong.

Based on what are you stating he will be out in January, also where did you make up that sum of money from?

[manpe 10,861]

It's now been almost a year and I am still in shock and disbelief that we blew 50m on him.

The footballing world is truly strange, in fact, I think regular people would make better managers/owners based on the transfers that occured in these past few years.

It looks like he will leave this January, and for a fee of 25-30m, I'd drive him to the destination myself. One thing is true though, Torres is a confidence player. And anyone who thinks you will get confidence from sitting on the bench + playing 7 minutes is completely wrong.

Let's just call this a fifty mill investment in marketing... a la Beckham in LA, only with lesser impact