What makes me laugh with discussions like this is when it all revolves around the first team. IE, we don't need a AM because we have Coutinho or Remy wouldn't join to sit on the bench. Not only are both those views absolute bollox, its a squad game! The one thing we lack is options. Sterling was out of form, now Coutinho is. Why wouldn't a AM or Versatile forward (Remy) get game time? Would competition for placed not be a good thing? IMO, we need a attacking player (preferably someone that can play AM & wide) and a competitive CM in this window. In the summer, we should look for a RB, CM and attacker plus a couple of youngsters. Plus possibly a couple of like-for-likes for the outgoing players such as Skrtel! Can't see us letting Johnson go, gut feeling. PS...I'm not suggesting Remy, he just seems popular on this thread.
I think CB we're OK... plenty of injuries now and we can still field a decent cb pairing... ... OK toure wasn't his best today and Skrtel is asking for a penalty... but otherwise no. RB... whereas I don't join the Johnson bashing club... he has had a poor season and we could do better... plus need more cover. At lb Enrique is OK. Flan looks decent cover too. I think, for now, one really top class full back who can play either side as needed is better than getting two good full backs. DM is a bit iffy. Both Allen and Lucas can do well there but I don't always have confidence in either. A real top quality DM would be my priority signing of January. We do need one more quality striker. Sturridge and Suarez are likely to start most games but we need someone on the bench... neither Aspas... tacos, or Borini are good enough. Suarez had a lengthy ban this season and Studge had an injury. We'd be screwed if both were injured or out at same time. Another winger or attacking wide man would be good if it meant no more Moses. In short... Critical: DM Important: two footed full back; striker Nice to have: winger Yes other positions could be improved... but that's what we need as a core... other positions would be to increase depth.
Nothing wrong with having squad depth!! but you also have to be realistic, we cant afford to have 2 line-ups of stars on high wages that aren't playing regularly, we are not $ity or Chavski! You also have to consider player development, When you have young players you need to give them game time in order for them to improve. So if you cut say Fords game time in half by bringing in another player then you have to expect him to develop half as quickly, so squad balance is key.
Getting two players in would hardly give us two line-ups of stars, it will still barely make one! ATM, our strongest line-up when.everyone is fit is probably Migs, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Studge & Suarez. In your theory, that would mean no game time for Kelly, Flano, Agger, Toure, Allen, Sterling, Moses & Aspas but I'm pretty sure most of them are getting plenty of minutes. A AM and attacker would see competition/cover for two of the last five mentioned, plus Studge is guaranteed to be out injured at some point too. Also, isn't this about our squad if we get in.the CL? Ie...we'd have more money to spend.
Don't need an AM in my opinion. We can't forget Suso who is in fantastic form at Almeria. He's coming back. We need a strong CM for the absence of Gerrard or when one of them isn't in form. A box to box midfielder or a holding one, that can assist in attack and drop back to defend. One that can hold the ball and control play, and slow the play down if we aren't in control, but also fast enough for the fluid game that we play. There are a few in Germany that could play that way. Granit Xhaka is one that comes to mind. He's only 21 and already a rock in midfield. Gerrard would need to stay on to help him join the squad without pressure. In my opinion Agger should be ahead of Skrtel now with Sakho beside him. I hate the "two left footed players" argument as we don't complain when both are right footed. Sakho is good enough in the air and Agger is one of the best in the world at playing the ball out of defense to link up to the attack. A replacement for Johnson also would be on my shopping list. I do feel he hasn't been so awful as we claim (we love scapegoats) but still doesn't have his heart set in it. It's a shame. When he's on form he's a world-beater, when he's not, well he's not... to say the least. Kelly could be given a chance but with his injury record the way it is we need consistency. Montoya is a good shout. A top striker would be good but I would be fine with Sterling playing in his new role up front and wide if he continues to play like he has recently (think he had a great game today). Sturridge and Suarez is a lock in for when they are fit but they can get tired or injured. I love Enrique and how he fits into the new side (providing we play 4-3-1-2) but if he can't stay fit then we either need Flanno to keep progressing or a replacement. I'd sign - Ljajic from Roma because he's got the potential to be like Coutinho (a lot of baggage but he's still young) for up front. (20m), Montoya for RB (free), Xhaka for CM (20m). That's it, really. I'd also sell: Coates (3m) Johnson (5-10m) if there is a buyer Reina (whatever, a few million if that). Maybe Skrtel if Ilori does well on loan (10m). That should be enough plus whatever's in the kitty. ---------------------Mignolet-------------------- --Montoya------Agger-------Sakho------Enrique-- ----------------------Lucas---------------------- -----------Henderson------------Xhaka----------- ----------------------Coutinho-------------------- ------------Sturridge-----------Suarez------------ Then if any are injured or out of form: ---------------------Mignolet-------------------- --Kelly/Wisdom----Ilori/Toure---Sakho---Flanagan-- ----------------Lucas/Henderson------------------ -----------Gerrard------------Allen--------------- ----------------------Suso----------------------- ------------Ljajic-----------Sterling---------------
we can get SC back, unless he has the managers bug, dont know. or has Carra got bored yet of being a pundit? 2 options who can help sort our defence out hopefully.
@ Danilo - I'm pretty certain Suso has been benched recently and is now out of favour after a great start there (might be wrong, but I'm sure I read that somewhere). If so that's slightly worrying considering it's a pretty average team in Spain.
1. sky, maybe the kid needed a rest, maybe he got a minor injury, maybe the winter break? who knows.. 2. clarke is a manager, wanted to be one when he hired on to us.. pretty sure he stayed in boston to try and be LFC manager after kenny.. 3. I think we need to go back a few years to 2007 squad, that wasn't the best team in the world but it could compete in europe.. 2008 maybe too. look at the list GK: Dudek and reina RB: arbeloa Finnan LB: Risse Aurelio, warnock CB: Hyppia, Carragher, agger CM: Gerrard, alonso, mascherano came in, sissoko LW Kewlel (grrr) gonzalez, zenden Rw Garcia, pennant St: Fowler, crouch, kuyt, bellamy not to mention many many kids, debate quality all you like; there are senior experienced pros in all slots. and yes many greatly annoyed me. today: GK: mingloet. jones is rubbish RB: Johnson, flanagan, wisdom, kelly. 3 question marks... LB: Enrique, Cissohko (loan) CB; toure skertl, shako, agger CM: lucas, henderson gerrard allen LW/AM Coutinho sterling, moses (on loan) alberto St: suarez, sturridge, borini, (out on loan) So we are now a 4-3-3 we've 4 senior midfielders for 3 berths... compare to 07... we've only 2 full backs we'd be happy with but the others are fillers... we've 2 guys really for the wider roles in a 4-3-3 but we play our two strikers we do need to add right across the pitch to be up for a full european campaign. Loans haven't helped us buy that time, but it is what it is. I am sincerely hoping us looking like a club on the up will help us secure talent in these windows. An FA cup win and 4th would do that but in the end 4th is what'll help most.
He has but it is more of a managers desperate need of points forcing him to play more experienced players. He will be back in there as soon as the spot opens up. He played a lot in the first half and probably needs a bit of a break now. Dont believe the drinking rumours either. He is more than adequate backup for Coutinho.
Not sure where this confidence in suso comes from. I admit I haven't seen a lot of him play but when I have he is ok at best. He looks good for the reserves/u21's but can he make that step up. I'm not so sure. He is obviously talented but does he possess that turn of pace or trickery that makes the special players special. I hope I'm wrong but really don't see him as answer to our prayers. IF he is struggling in a mediocre Spanish team how will he get on in the CL
I know for a while Suso was top (or maybe 2nd?) in the charts for assists in La Liga. Which to be fair isn't bad considering the team he plays for. That's the reason I don't get why he's been dropped, he's a kid ffs he should be able to keep going without a break. I'm kinda with kph on this one, he's not our answer. We have Ford who's very similar but a lot better, plus I'm not certain that Suso has the right mental attitude to leave Spain and develop in England long term. I just feel he suits La Liga so much more than the PL. I hope I'm wrong, but I just have a niggling feeling it won't ever quite work out.
Fair points. Agree to disagree then. He's not struggling at Almeria. He was their best player but he's a loan and they need points at this stage so they are more defensive than usual. He is playing regularly, more off the bench. He had more assists than Messi at one point. Remember he plays at a very poor Almeria side that shuts up shop. He was given chances at Liverpool usually on the right and and in the 90th minute. If he's assisting there I don't see why he couldn't bag quite a few here with SAS on the receiving end. As a final point there is a video of him playing keep away and nutmegging Fabregas and two others during a match. We can't have two world class players in one role that are young and will get in the way of each others development. Coutinho is good enough and Suso is an able deputy.
Well I'm always willing to give the lad a chance so let's hope he comes back and 'dazzles' us.......but don't think he will
