Blogs

A Liverpool star not fit to wear the shirt?

|

Is David Ngog good enough for Liverpool?Liverpool striker David N’Gog is a player that I have just about lost all patience with. I’m not usually one to call for a player’s head, especially one so young, but in the midst of a disappointing season the tendency towards evaluation and retribution becomes more prominent. Who has been contributing adequately towards the Liverpool cause? Who has stepped up to the plate when necessary? Who adds something to this team and who doesn’t? It’s time for N’Gog to step up to the plate and be judged.

N’Gog, a French footballer of Cameroonian descent, now 22 years-old, joined Liverpool in the summer of 2008. Upon his joining the club Rafa Benitez hailed the strength of his scouting network, noting that, “They are finding players like N’Gog, players with quality who are not a high price”. Perhaps, in some cases, they were merely finding players who merited their low price.

If you’re a professional footballer playing in the Premier League, you’re there for a reason – you have an asset, something you can offer up to your club. That might be strength along the ground or in the air, movement, vision, pace, technique, etc. Whether you play for Manchester United or Wolves, there’s no difference, at this level, you’re in the squad because you add something to your team. My question, therefore, is this: What does David N’Gog add to Liverpool?

Firstly, for a striker he doesn’t appear to be much of a finisher – indeed, he has only 9 Liverpool goals in 57 appearances.

Would N’gog be getting as many chances if he was a youngster at the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal or Tottenham? I very much doubt it. He’s not strong enough, doesn’t compete and force mistakes from defenders, can’t hold the ball up and doesn’t link up well with the midfield.

N’Gog played for the Liverpool reserves against Aston Villa on Monday night and was something of a disappointment. He had a couple of guilt-edged chances and generally looked nervous in-front of goal. In fact, I’m sure that N’Gog spent more time on the deck than he did on his feet. He just doesn’t present a threat – even against Aston Villa’s youngsters (who won 3-1).

Perhaps the signs that he wasn’t cut out to make it were there all along – he’s the cousin of Newcastle United flop Jean-Alain Boumsong.

It amazes me that someone like N’Gog would be given a chance at Liverpool whilst genuine creative talents like Pacheco have been sent out on loan. Why was Ryan Babel deemed surplus to requirements and sent packing, but faith kept in N’Gog?

As Liverpool attempt to re-establish themselves as a force in the Premier League, they’ll need to do everything they can to ensure that they represent a genuine threat. By keeping the faith in the likes of David N’Gog, they’re taking a massive step backwards.

Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.

[bet_365 type=’generic’ size=’468′ af_code=’365_061437′]

Share this article

Editor-in-Chief at ThisisFutbol. Please feel free to get in touch if you have question, queries, comments or just fancy having a rant.

Our email address is: thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com, if you don't fancy getting stuck in in the comment's section.

0 comments

  • Jake says:

    i agree, i have no idea what liverpool see in him!

  • Blindside says:

    Well most agree that he has not the talent for EPL but exactly WHEN will someone give him his marching orders? Perhaps in summer? I am beginning to have my doubts. The guy has not improved one iota since his arrival and it may be said is going backwards. At resent I also think he has lost what little belief he may have had and that alone qualifies him for the “clearout shute”….

  • subjectivity says:

    how many of these 57 appearances were substitute appearances? maybe you should be calculating goals and shots per minute instead. appearances is misleading.

    strikers strike…what are they supposed to do if we can’t even get them the ball? you can’t be expecting much if you don’t provide situations in games for them to do what they’re supposed to do.

  • LFC Fan says:

    Nice Article, yeah Ryan Babel has been sold but not N’Gog, why does it seem to be that way? i guess all the staffs and coaches plus King Kenny must got it wrong then. I guess he’s still there because King Kenny knows what to do with him and his time will come if he’s not needed anymore, You’re pointing out a single player based on the whole team’s result. I wouldnt know, i’m not the expert.
    Like you said “I’m not usually one to call for a player’s head” Well, i supported and will continue to do that to all LFC players. they deserved our support through thick and thin.

  • SivaRed says:

    Crap, crap, crap

  • ruben agius says:

    i agree with u that he didn t have the talent to improve lfc,but what about kuyt,he s slow,he didn t have first touch he didn t get passed players.for me he has nothing to keep on playing for lfc.

  • Alex says:

    Agree with you especially about the Babel thing.why did sell Babel,really?the money were 6,7 million i think which is too little and even though inconsistant,he played better this season while playing as a striker.he scored against steaua at anfield,he scored against aston villa at anfield and he also had some other good moments like the assist against Steaua to another player who should have more chances,Jovanovic.Jovanovic and Babel are both better than N’Gog but N’Gog has more appearances than those two put together??sorry if you’re reading this N’Gog but i dont have faith in you mate..YNWA

  • NAZAR says:

    I agree ….players like this cannot give impact for club like liverpool pse letgo him to get a great striker with Suarez

  • barn of oz says:

    here here
    the only player i’ve seen as missrible as nando before he got off.
    allways looks as if the rest of the team has let him down. truth is his shit! wont make a run, wont chase a ball, cant head and can’t finish.
    time to go. get what we can for the bean pole and bye true tallent or even better use the youth we have.
    i would much rather see a suso, sterling or morgan given 5 or 10 mins rather than the dissapointment that is joe cole.
    anyways rambling now ynwa

  • Dennis says:

    Totally agree,But there are 11 others who are on the clubs books who need to be shipped out as soon as possible: B Jones GK Degan RB Krygiakos CB Insua LB Koncheskey LB Aurelio LB (Injury Prone)
    Poulsen DM/CM J Cole RW/LW/AM Jovanovic RW/LW/AM
    EL Zhar RW/LW M Rodriguez RW/LW/AM.

    These players are simply not good enough to wear the shirt and should be shipped out as soon as possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comments are closed.