Aspas look alright but it was a special display (nor was I expecting a worldie on.his friendly half debut), can see the link in style to Suarez (he even megged someone). That goal was lucky though. It went straight down the middle, it was **** keeping. Glad Ibe got a goal but thought that was fortunate too. The effort lacked any power and a prem keeper would have saved it.
I was reading some of the comments during the game. There were three or four that said Aspas' finish was decent/lovely.
It was, the way he judged the keeper not knowing where the centre of the goal is, then finding it from 20 odd yards, takes a special player that.
I watched the game - but just reviewed that clip. Looks very good indeed. To me he's the Allen that never happened - plays a similar role but with a much more offensive attitude. Picks a nice pass too... Play him just in front of Lucas with Gerrard alongside him rotating offensive duties, with Coutinho in the hole - Bob's your uncle He's still a young lad but I see a little bit of Alonso in him, lets hope he carries on developing...
Nice one. He looks pretty neat on the ball but I'm not sure he'd survive a Tiote tackle. His finishing was poor.
Alberto had some great little touches, lots of composure and a lovely range of passing. Aspas grabbed a nice assist, a goal (arguably lucky...) and showed some good skill in and around the box with linkups. And that's their first game for us, pre-season, barely knowing their team mates, unfit and only in 45mins... Where are all those people who, only a week ago, were moaning that our signings were ****, not good enough for top 4, waste of money which could have been spent elsewhere on the basis that they were cheap and unknown to most of the UK? ****ing do one and support another club if you were. Thought our new signings played well considering and I'm still excited to see what they can produce in a strong first 11 after they've been bedded in properly.
Does Luis Alberto look like a natural midfielder to you or more of a player put in midfield just because other players were out?
Not sure, not seen enough of him to be honest. I think he's too lightweight to sit alongside Lucas as a deeper playmaker and I don't want to see Coutinho moved out of the central role, so wide left cutting in might be best for now. Whether that's his best position though, no idea.
Given time and nurturing Alberto could develop in to a deep-lying play playmaker. He's not small and nimble, he has more of an Alonso stature, give him a year or two to adapt to the physical aspect of the EPL and I reckon we'll have a real gem.
How did you know?!?! Missed the second half but saw the highlights, we looked pretty sharp overall for only being 11 days back in. Also like how we look tuned in and no one really lost.
OR he could jsut be luis alberto bench warmer... stop trying to mke somehting out of a kid we bought before he goes and displays something real... coutinho = star cos he showed he was the best player we had for half of the games he played... including with suarez and gerrard on show. alberto = preseason debutant with it all to prove... same for aspas and even ibe. i can't wait to see someone really impress when the seaosn starts... now is just for kicks...
I prefer to get excited until they show me a reason not to rather than be depressed about everything. It's pre-season, they're new signings it's about the only excusable time to get your hopes up. I was excited by Coutinho before he joined, I was excited by Downing before he signed, if they turn out to be ****e then so be it, personally I don't see the point of following and supporting a team if I'm not at least being optimistic before a new season starts. You're entitled to have your view and I'm equally entitled to at least have high hopes for players who are putting the red shirt on for the first time, he/they haven't done anything to warrant not getting my support.