This line: If you are going to be successful there is no point in having three or four top individual players because those players will win you games but they will never win you titles. "A strong team ethos is very important and no one at Liverpool is asked to do anymore than anyone else, we all share the same work ethic and focus to be the very best that we can. There are many different ways that you can create that ethos but the best way is to do it on the training field everyday. Pretty much shows we are not in for a name this summer. Under the radar or those who fit the team style.
I read the first section, stopped reading the Anfield sign bit. Would have never read that bit at the bottom if you didn't quote it. Think the Jan transfer window has restored some faith and optimism for this summer after a couple of **** summers. If Suarez leaves then I think it is important to replace him with a top name. Individuals may not win you titles, but a Ronaldo, Suarez, Messi, Bale or RVP help out a lot.
I understand his point but at the same time there is some real quality out there for a good price. Take the French league for example, just imposed a 75% tax on the footballers ( insane btw) so you know that half of those top players in that league are gonna be off and probably for a decent price. Aubemeyang, Dede Ayew, Valbuena, Zumma, Gonalons, Gameiro, Sakho, Gomis, Lisandro Lopez, Gourcuff ( would love that one), Capoune, Matuidi, Lovren. etc etc. Could get some good players from that league and about 3/4 of those players have played CL,EL, won the french league. winners zingy.... we need winners!
I like that line, but like Zingy says top players help and every title winning team has top class players amoungst the squad. We have the top class players imo but need the ethos of the whole squad to change and support those players.
meh... i don't see anything new just another interview. the next level statement is mildly interesting but all clubs strive for that.
What makes Gourcuff stand out for you? How old is he now? Gameiro was linked with us in the summer, not sure if true though. Isn't Matuidi and established player for PSG now? Would be to expensive and hard to get without CL.
I always felt our spine with Rafa was always good... The back four was solid ( see best defenses) In mid you had at some point a combination of Hamann, Gerrard, Masch, ALonso, Sissoko. Up top you had Torres, Crouch, Kuyt chipping in with goals but I always felt we never ever had good wingers. Thought that always killed us and still something that I think we don't really have ( although the winger role is now more of an AM who roams.) Depth as well, once you get past any of our first teams for the past few years there was just no real depth, hopefully the youth coming through will help that a lot.
Gourcuff was awesome with Bordeaux and has been OK with Lyon, injuries, hype, and price tag I think got to him but exactly why he could be great for us. A fresh start and someone who can really run the AM position steadily. Think he is about 26 now? I remember at Bordeux thinking he was just going to boss a midfield of the likes of Real, Barca, Milan, etc. ( note: Milan sold him when he was young). Matuidi is established but just throwing names of quality players who aren't that expensive ( and he was linked to us when we had comolli).
I think we have to make some hard choices over the pre-season, we need to keep faith in the younger players but obviously need more experience and quality in the team which is why I've stated that imo we need only 2 players in during the Summer (plus replacements if players are sold). Any more and we risk the development of some of these younger players.
I think we have quite a weak squad now,and it seems to be smaller than the 1st part of the season, I think partly due to us only having league games left.BR has been reluctant to use Sterling,Suso,Wisdom,Coates,Shelvey etc since Xmas.Which to be honest I think is the correct thing to do But if we are in Europe next season we might need 1 or 2 more guys in the squad, I think BR thinks he can only rely about 14/15 players atm,its why I can see someone like Downing staying It seems certain that Coates,Skrtel,Assaidi will be offloaded as BR doesnt trust them.Wouldnt be surprised to see Borini go too,who he didnt trust when he had the chance in Jan/Feb
Gameiro would be a good shout and is certainly someone who could bolster our attack. He's versatile, can play across the front free, technical, good movement and very quick. I agree to some extent about not just buying big name players. Is he referring to the Messi's, Ronaldo's, Falcao's? In that sense - I agree because they are far too expensive to buy. But players like Gameiro, Eriksen etc are a class (maybe 2 classes) below but have got fantastic experience and ability. This is who we should be targetting.
Not sure I've read between the lines the same as you Bluff, but to me it sounds like he's got a squad that is now moulded into the way he wants to play. He wants others that come in to be of the same mould, in that they need to be technically good, tactically sound and be prepared to put in a shift, if Eriksen fits the bill and we can afford him, then I see no reason why we won't try to sign him. Agree with Luv 2/3 quality signings are all that's required assuming the likes of Pepe and Suarez stay, a CB to replace Carra, we could get rid of Skrtel and Coates and have Kelly and Wisdom as backups for the CBs position. A DM and a player like Eriksen. Could mean we have a team that looks like: ----------------------------- Pepe ---------- Johnson -- Agger -- New CB -- Enrique ------------------------ Lucas -- Gerrard --------------- Coutinho -- Eriksen -- Suarez ---------------------------- Sturrdige Bench from: Jones, McLaughlin, Kelly, Wisdom, New DM, Hendo, Allen, Shelvey, Suso (However, more likely to go out on loan), Sterling, Borini, Downing (if not sold).
one thing i have to say about this french thing... I think you'll find there's some rangers type way around it and there is absolutely no freaking way anyone is paying 75% tax over there as footballers. as the the rest I will plead ignorance and look at these guys when we sign em!
I think whatever player we go after has to have a tremendous work rate and be able to play with the ball at his feet well. Hence why I just used the French league in terms of quality players that you can get for a good price ( Newcastle have already shown the value you can get). I just hope we avoid British players as that will just kill what little budget we have and I think we have a pretty good crop of those players coming through.
This is exactly what I think the team should look like, 1 center back and 1 midfielder the depth then comes from what we have. If we buy more then Sterling, Suso, Allen, Hendo, Kelly, Wisdom, McGloghlin, Robinson etc etc just wont get games and and they are at the point where we either loan, sell or play them.
