I like Flanno as well but only as a back up and nothing more. I do think that some fans are over hyping him because of his local roots and the way he has fought back into the team.
Bit concerned that we're after Cole and Sagna - two players that are experienced but past their sell by date. I hope we continue buying young talent.
Nothing to do with being a local lad for me. Sure, it's a good thing but its not a primary requirement if required at all. I like his attutide, his committment and his work ethic. He's not afraid to get stuck in either, something we've lacked for a while. I never want a player because they are good back-up (well, bar the second choice keeper but thats different), I want players that are good enough to be in the first team and I think Flanno is.
Can't fault his attitude and work ethic. But he is not a first team right back. His defending is average - whilst he is able to get stuck in (as you say, it's about time we had defenders who can actually tackle and go in hard), I question his positioning, marking and intelligence. It's the same reason why I don't rate Johnson or Enrique. Combined with the fact that he won't offer much going forward means that he is a back up. Not saying he can't improve - I think he is showing good progress, particularly with his passing but we need more quality.
They are all things that get better with experience. Flanagan is still only 21yrs old. IMO, his positioning and game intelligence (for his age) are very good, his marking (set-pieces etc) could be better. I watch the FBs positioning quite closely during games as that's the position I've played most myself. It is part of the reason Johnson irritates me but I also defend him at times (until recently) too.
look i don't mind much but the formation or i should say style we desire under rodgers requires a far more able player than flanagan or cissokho. we need guys with real engines to get up and down and to provide width.
He does have a 'real' engine but suspect you want players of the Dani Alves & Ashley Cole in their primes category. Simply not going to happen any time soon.
It's not so much bombing up and down the wings - it's more a case of being more intelligent in your runs, keeping possession, making the right decisions. Johnson came to a point where he was dwelling on the ball all the time, slowed down the attack and ended up being dispossessed or passing back. Having said that, it would be interesting to see how he plays with Sterling now (who is in form). Sagna, Cole etc are past it in my opinion and do not represent value (big wages). It will just be as bad as giving Johnson over £100k a week and paying £18m for him. Find the up and coming full backs - Moreno, Montoya, Rodriguez, Oliver Sorg.
Here is a very open question (I couldn't be bothered to start a new thread) but I was wondering: Is it a coincidence that our worst years (post 2009) have come since players such as Skrtel, Lucas, Johnson etc became first team regulars? I'm sitting on the fence on this one but thought it would be interesting to hear everyone's thoughts.
well considering they have replaced players like Hyypia,Carra,Masch,Alonso,Arbeloa(didn't get that to be honest) our expectations have certainly been lowered, well in my opinion. i asked a while back if we had masch,alonso etc for our midfield if lucas would be good enough still, and a few said they was.
Bar Johnson, they were the back-up players and became first teamers when we failed to replace players such as Hyypia, Carragher (Skrtel was back for him), Mascherano and Alonso (Lucas was rotated with these). I'd also have a Arbeloa or Finnan (although I'd have him over nearly everyone) over Johnson.
I was going to sit on the fence but I can't resist. I agree with you. I think we are accepting a lower level in this team and it's taken for us to sign the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho and to some extent, Sakho to see the quality that is out there. The thing is, I don't think Skrtel, Lucas, Johnson, Enrique etc are bad players. I think they're solid players who can contribute to the teams/squad's success.
And there is no way Lucas would ever displace Mash or Alonso. In the right system, Lucas is actually a very good DM and I wouldn;t be suprised if Rafa goes in for him. But in a system which requires players to cover ground quickly, he's not the quickest. But I do respect Lucas because I think he is a solid player who is mentally strong. Perfect player to have in your squad, but I don't think he is enough to get us back to where we belong. Gez - please can you create a new thread, posing this question? I can't be bothered...
What they should have more or less been. Lucas had one year where he was really starting to go the next step but then the injury got him. I still feel we just have not been able to fully gauge ENrique due to constantly being injured!
ok so alves cost a lot at the time and so did cashely but did bale? not that much but enough... johnson cost us too much. baines cost f all... we are looking for someone like baines. players exist... lets not settle for flanno! I don't want big names just the right player.. and the right player type is probably the type you've given examples of.
Aren't you one of the prime posters moaning about buying for the future rather than the now? Who called Bale or Baines becoming as good as they have? A.Cole is the only one that looked class from day one! And, even if we do unearth one of these gems, we won't see that sort of quality until the 2015-16 season assuming we got them now (which obviously we can't until the summer). I genuinely believe that Flanagan could be one of those players. I think he is in the Arbeloa/Finnan mould rather than Johnson/Riise category though; solid and consistent but not exactly world class when it comes to offensive play.
no thats not the point of what i said at all.... buying for NOW doesn't mean buying a big name and buying the right player which is what i said is not buying a kid either i.e sami hyppia was the right player. he was a nobody until he came cos nobody heard of him. who the f was evra before utd bought him... etc etc I mean c'mon hyppia was instant success... we were confident that sturridge was right... i said the right player... buy the right player not just a name.. when i say we ought to be buying someone like baines i meant we should be buying a player with his attributes.
