Some footy talk for those who are interested. Glad he has come in and hit the ground running. I thought he was very good and industrious against Sunderland on the weekend.
Looked very good against Swansea but he's wasted as a number 10 in my opinion. With Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho all fit it'll be hard to see how we can adjust our formation to suit him (if he gets in at all).
Out wide? ------------Sturridge---------- Moses------Cout--------Suarez ( free role to roam and interchange with Cout)
Just feel as if it leaves us far to exposed at the back, our midfield gets bypassed easily as it is. + I like Sturridge and Suarez up front together. Perhaps ---------Gerrard--Lucas---------- Coutinho-----------------Moses-- -------Sturridge--Suarez--------- A lot of movement in that for sure, just need a box to box midfielder and you're singing..
Not bad, I would pair Sturridge on Moses sid eas they work well together and Coutinho on Suarez side as they can interchange, drop in the hole, etc.
I may be a bit biased (alright, alot!) but I think we've got a damn decent GK, defence is pretty good (hopefully will continue to get better) our front 3/4 is up there with the best in the league, if we had a a Yaya Toure in our Midfield, along side Gerrard, we wouldn't be far away from being genuine challengers, however that will require our first 11 being available week in week out, whilst we've made good additions to the team/squad but strength of depth still isn't up there with the likes of Chelsea, City, United and Spurs.
Jonny B good, I agree on the yaya toure. Hopefully that will be addressed in January and it sounds like it very well could. I have said many times the likes of Mulumbu/Diame/M'vila/etc would be a big difference maker for us in the league and to get us to where we want to go. If not one of those power players, get the balance of it in that Mascherano mould.
You're not far off - I would say that on paper, our team looks good bar our central midfield. We have some excellent options in defence and up front however our defence is still in it's infancy. Still think it will take another 2 windows for us to get a very competitive squad.
Matuidi is killing it for PSG, no chance as they will make sure that he stays ( helps that they have the one and only Makelele on the coaching staff, think he may have a say in that contract!!!) M'Vila I think could be real, he went to Russia for the money but you have think that he is not happy there and I don't think Kazan is even in the CL anymore? Could be worth a punt. Especially with Sakho, Cissokho, Toure in our squad.
Bluff, of those three I'd take Diame, he's a beast of a player and importantly can't actually play a bit too (which would fit into Rodgers system), Mulumbu, not seen him play too much, from what I've seen he's a destroyer more than a ball playing destoryer (correct me if I'm wrong), Same goes for M'Vila, not seen him play so don't know his strengths, but Diame's been in the league for a few years and there's no adjustment period, plug him into the midfield and away you go! Would be harsh on Lucas who I think does a great job but we can't ignore problem areas and not look to address them just because the current incumbent happens to be one of our favourite players. If anything, bringing in a Diame may give Lucas a kick up the backside so we end up getting an extra 10% from him, never a bad thing that!
Matuidi's contract is expiring so there could an ounce of hope, but I agee - it's very optimistic! Apparently M'Vila is best mates with Sakho ... Would deffo have M'Vila. There were concerns over his attitude but it appears fatherhood and Russia have calmed him down. Very good physically and defensively with the ability to play the ball around and pass. But he and a top class play maker is all that is missing from our side IMO (except a couple of upgrades in full back areas).
I think we can do better than Diame and Mulumbu - they are physical players but are quite inconsistent and not technical enough for us (IMO). I agree it would be harsh on Lucas but he' struggling to recapture his form plus the tactics simply don't suit him.
Would be a great pairing IMO - however I'm not sure if Pastore is a deep lying playmaker? Is he more of an attacking midfielder who plays higher up? Either way, I would definitely take him as central midfield is our weakest spot by far.
But as injured Coutinho shows.... who goes into that playmaking no 10 role? Perfect for Pastore/Suso ( although Suso could be used out wide now it seems). Mvila provides cover/competition for Lucas. It would be the deep lying player that combats Gerrard that should be last considering we could still use a Hendo there if need be for now.
Yep true, strength in depth is still needed. Mkhitryan would have been the perfect replacement for Gerrard
