Right Chaps Who do you think should be in our first team next year? I think Downing, Adam, Lucas and Henderson shouldn't start. Fill the gaps/make up your formations! -------------------Reina (if he stays)------ Johson-----Skrtel--------Agger-------Jose ------------Lucas---------????------------- ?????-------------------------------??????? -------------Suarez--------?????---------- With the option of Gerrard playing behind the lone striker, and Carroll as an option depending on his form next season. Thoughts?
I think we have a good base to build on, we now need quality more than quantity. I have high hope for some of the youngsters.
You mean Spearing? We definitely need two wingers to come in (Sterling and Silva as back up options?) and I prefer a CAM to a front two. I wouldn't immediately put Gerrard in my first XI. He sometimes unbalances it. With Carroll up top, we need width. With Suarez, we need neat passing and players cutting in a bit. It's a tough one
It depends who is available to us, but the sort of players we should look at to pair with Lucas is: Ever Banega, Lars Bender (probably couldn't get Sven, and Lars is slightly more attacking anyway) Yann M'Vila (although I'm not as impressed with him as others are) Mousa Sissoko (haven't seen any of him, but seen his name float around) and, thinking more widely, Leroy Fer. I think, with the exception of Banega (CL football for Valencia) and M'Vila (lots of suitors) we could get those names on that list.
We need an adaptable squad. I'll write three teams. Width: ------------------------------Reina----------------------------- -------Johnson-------Skrtel----------Agger--------Enrique------- ---------------------Lucas----------??????---------------------- -----????????-----------------------------------Downing--------- ---------------------Carroll--------Suarez----------------------- Spread out, patient: ------------------------------Reina----------------------------- -------Johnson-------Skrtel----------Agger--------Enrique------- -----------------------------Lucas------------------------------ ---------------Gerrard/?-------------?/Shelvey------------------ --------???????------------------------------Suarez------------- ----------------------------Carroll------------------------------- Narrow 442, interchanging. ------------------------------Reina----------------------------- -------Johnson-------Skrtel----------Agger--------Enrique------- ------Gerrard-------Lucas----------????????-------????????------ --------------------??????-----------Suarez--------------------- In for definate: A quick, direct, goal scoring striker (De Jong, Balotelli, Higuian, many more options) A right winger (Hoilett, Lennon) A versatile, creative attacking midfielder (Belhanda, Hazard, Robben, Ramirez, Lucas Moura) A creative centre midfielder (Banegar, Elm, Sissoko) For depth: Versatile defender who can play left back. Part of me thinks we could be looking for a keeper to *at least back up).
What a predicament. This summer and next year is so important. We will become the next Villa otherwise.
I like the idea of Luuk De Jong and Banega and i also think we would be foolish if we didnt at least attempt to bring hoilett in free
bow I am not saying this is factual I am merely passing the info on. On NESN this week they had a phone in/email in/twitter talk show. Now NESN is obviously part of FSG and the presenter may or may not be in the know but he has a good record of being right...anyway he out of the blue mentioned that he thought your transfer budget next season would be $25-35M. Note $ not good old pounds. Of course,25-35 spent right might be all you need but going on 8th,possibly lower,I would say not.
John Henry said no transfer budgets. If you want to sign som ne you go to FSG direct and convince them to spend.
Based on nothing other than we spend last year and our owners are a fully operating company in a recession who still need to make a margin.
Well we'll have to see. I hope you're correct. We need investment which is crazy after the money spent last year - net, or not.
