I'm sure that won't upset the Black Cat fans HM wasn't a Suarez replacement though, neither would Bernard or Eriksen be. I think it is impossible to replace a player like LS, you need to refocus. This is why I agree with MITO that we won't make any signings until the Suarez stuff is resolved but not for the same reason. MITO believes we need to sell to buy whereas I think the team is built around Luis and him going results in the plan being restructured.
I agree that HM wasn't LS's replacement - but the point is that when we come to the point of buying top class players (either to play alongside Luis or instead of) we are finding it very difficult to attract them. I'm sure the club have been trying to bring in big names i.e. HM and Papa but we've become unstuck.
Perhaps Sturridge has always been the contingency plan for Suarez leaving. We could spend his fee on a winger, CB, midfielder etc.
and your theory is at least as equally valid as mine, though proving which is true will be impossible if we do sell suarez before we do anything else. i'd love us to buy now and then sell but i think the club might see any buy now as something arsenal would see as us then needing to offset. Again my theory v your theory. anyway... no none of those guys is anything like suarez. they all play in the same position as the guys we do have. If suarez goes i think LFC need to just build around coutinho and sturridge who are an alternative structure to suarez and in my mind more effective at getting goals... suarez scores but drops too deep whereas with the two i mention you get more potential..
Aspas is kuyt's replacement.... rodgers said so in his usual way post match... "not pretty on the eye" oops foot in mouth moment. I think he's right mind I see aspas and ploughing the right channel ideally and replace downing. I hope so at any rate.... his finish v thailand off his left was by far and away the best touch he's shown on that side seeing he blazed or scuffed all others. I hope rodgers sees it that way too. Theres room for suarez aspas and sturridge in my ideal 11, with coutinho in the midfield 3.
I thought Aspas took his goal extremely well - great first touch and the finish was clinical. I think he will surprise a few people this year but I will be going into this season seeing him as a useful squad player. One that Downing SHOULD be at the very least but is nowhere near that level.
All depends on the replacement. Personally I think RB is an improvable area, on his day Johnson is one of the best, but in a season where consistency is going to be key, we'll need some one solid and dependable.
I'm not a massive GJ fan but it's not an area of concern for me. However, I feel if we had the funds, then this is an area we should address. Glen is one of our top earners but I'm not sure he justifies it - compared to someone like Finnan and Arbeloa who cost a fraction but were far more solid and dependable.
Unless a great replacement is already lined up then it would just be a backwards step. Attacking fullbacks are necessary to the way we play.
Your mate told me Nah, I heard/read somewhere that Johnson has always had a desire to play in Spain one day. Now that he's approaching the latter stages of his career, he may feel the need to push for it? Purely speculating of course.
Fair enough. Concerning said mate, he said the atmosphere at the Melbourne game was ****ing unreal. And he's a manc
Quit trying to take my predictable trophy? I rate GJ very highly, I think he can defend much better than people give him credit for, it is impossible to be in two places at once afterall! However, GJ is also one of the players that frustrates me because he doesn't seem to care and can be quite lazy at times too (he's been better with the latter in the last few months). If we had a replacement lined up (preferably in the Finnan/Arbeloa mould) then I'd not be too fussed about him going, especially if we were able to attract a £10m+ fee. Plus, he is one of the players I keep referring to as representing the not too distant past too. However, at this moment in time it would be a bad move IMO. Too much change at once; keeper and CB already. Because its better than comparing dad sizes with the Arsenal fans
my thought is that if you look at a list top top earner at anfield he would be close to the top and so would be one FSG and rodgers might target to go. Gerrard signed a new deal so i presume his wages have dropped somehow.... anyway from a footballing point of view we have a couple of good young uns even if kelly's fitness nees looking at. Mclaughlin really gives me hope too. I'd sell if an offer was forthcoming.
RB's are easier to find as well I feel. Look at the job Arbeloa did and he came cheap and was probably on modest wages as well. Think that could be an area we could strenghten and get some $ back. Also have Wisdom and Kelly who could playt here ( both being natural CB's though).
indeed... highly clinical, he had more time on it bt his previous efforts off the left were blazed. i think he's kuyt.... i think he'll work hard too but need to up his fitness from now to the kick off. in our current set up i could see a 4-2-3-1 with aspas wide right and coutinho in the middle. If i were picking suarez would be wide left s i think his ability to hold a abll and lead a line is mixed. his layoffs are also mixed. love suarez heading towards goal with ball at feet, not with back to goal flicking it round losing it half the time. more than anything i think wneger was blown away for suarez 45min cameo wide left last season. world class that was.
