I think it depends on how well Brod manages them. Two strong teams should be enough. Once the season is over and all loanees return to their parent clubs, this is what we have: Migs Johnson - Skrtel - Agger - Enrqiue Henderson - Gerrard - Allen Sterling - Sturridge - Suarez Reina Wisdom - Toure - Sakho - Flanno Alberto - Lucas - Coutinho Suso - Borini - Assaidi Jones Kelly - Ilori - Coates - Robinson ? - ? - Tex Ibe - Aspas - ? Not saying thats the first, second and third teams, I'm sure there will be a difference of opinion on who should be where, just doing this to show how much depth we have. IMO, that's two and a half teams although the quality on the second and third is somewhat questionable.
well reina will be gone according to all quotes the full backs would be a question in those first two teams then frnakly i would not call team 2 strong, especially assaidi, borini and suso. this is relegation fodder. I would no disagree that who goes were is not all opinion just that IMO we have warm bodies not depth and frankly this is why we need quite a few players. Its not an issue as its horses for courses. some guys were given a go, some were, thats what we can get with no europe etc. we need to get a big improvement to sustain CL. Imagine us playing say oh west brom away after a CL tie and seeing that second team... we'd be boiling
As I said, I based it on what we have at present and didn't do a first team that I'd prefer (Johnson wouldn't be in it, that would be Flanno). Generally agree with what you've put though.
Question is, who from those teams will leave us (e.g. Reina) and who will step up next season? I agree with MITO's 25 man squad....with 2 quality players in each role but which two and then where are the gaps? I'm hopeful for the likes of Suso, Borini, Wisdom, Ilori....but honestly, not sure if any at all will make the grade at the very highest level although some will be good squad players. Gunna be an interesting close season.....but i thought that in january
MITO, when you look at it like that (and I like the 25 man squad/2 quality players per position) you can see why BR was chasing Kono. We have only one decent winger, Coutinho can play in any of the 3 attacking roles but doesn't offer us real width/pace when needed. Of course, it's different if we play the diamond midfield
Who I think will leave: Reina; obviously Johnson; high earner Agger/Skrtel; at least one of these will go IMO Robinson; I don't think Brod rates him Kelly; I don't think Brod rates him Coates; would have gone last summer but for the shocking injury Ilori; out on loan again Assaidi; equally obvious Aspas; not been used all season for a reason That leaves us with: Migs Flanno - Skrtel/Agger - Sakho - Enrqiue Henderson - Gerrard - Allen Sterling - Sturridge - Suarez Jones Wisdom - Toure - ? - ? Alberto - Lucas - Coutinho Ibe - Borini - Suso At that point, I think we need to be buying at least four players.
Suso, Borini and Wisdom will be returning and they can provide solid, reliable back up. With Aspas, Assaidi and Moses leaving, we need some serious reinforcements in attacking positions: Attack Kono, Firminio and Shaqiri can play a number of positions between, and would allow us to rotate the likes of Sturridge and Coutinho. Midfield We need 2 central midfielders IMO as I think Lucas will be leaving. Allen appears to be injury prone as well. M'Vila and Lars Bender would provide real quality and physicality to our midfield. Defence Both full back positions need reinforcements. I don't Rodgers rates Enrique and Johnson is unlikely to agree to a pay cut. Flanagan and Wisdom can provide solid competition. Ricardo Rodriguez for left back. Sakai, Sorg or Montoya for right back (and they all can play on opposite flanks if required). In an ideal world, I would like to buy a RCB as well as I feel we will be selling Skrtel in the summer. Dede or Hoewdes would be perfect.
I don't know that suso and wisdom really provide solid reliable back up or not. maybe they do, they are developming young players. Borini i don;t see.
Couple on here thinking we'll sell either Skerts or Dagger.....I hope we don't. Not sure how long Toure signed for but that's the only CB I'd be looking to lose. If i had to choose between the prior two, I'd sadly let go of Danny Agger....only because of his injury record.
They provide back-up. Maybe not solid reliable back-up at this stage but they offer quality when needed. They are good enough to play in the FA and League Cups, they are good enough to fill the bench and play a cameo role once in a while. Having them around the squad after being on loan may help them make a step up too. Of course, we need better options but they certainly shouldn't be cast aside as not good enough #creamraises Borini I see as a squad option. He's not going to challenge for a first teams pot, his target is the bench / cover. Effectively, he'd take Aspas' place. He'd be a good option to bring on late on in games when holding on to something.
The only one on the list that i don't 100% agree with is Johnson....there have been noises coming out of both camps recently about a new deal....not sure that'd happen if he wasn't prepared to take a cut. Who knows! Leaves an awful lot of players to sign to fill the gaps....even if a lot of them are fringe players/on loan. Wouldn't mind getting a few glimpses of Ilori - hard to gauge his potential atm
Johnson's been collecting his pension for a while. His heart is not in it so as much as I used to like him and stand up for him, the time as come to move him on. There is no room for sentiment in football. If you takes those two sides as first and second teams, the attack in that second team is awful and we would clearly lack number sin defenceI think we only need a FB and CB to strengthen the first team. However, the squad looks weak. overall, we'd need a FB, CB, CM and a attacker or two.
Was dropped and replaced by a guy who had never played a DM or deep lying mid before (Gerrard). Unfortunately, I can't see him getting back into the team, and I'm not sure he would be happy sitting on the bench. Plus he could fetch a decent transfer fee. As with Skrtel and Agger, as much as we would love for them to stay, they themselves might not be happy sitting on the bench (which is understandable considering they're full internationals reaching the peak of their careers). Combined with the fact they're on very good wages, we can't have high earning players sitting on the bench (same point applies to Lucas as well).
I don't think he was dropped. In fact, when Gerrard moved back Lucas was still on the pitch. I think Brod recognised that Gerrard wasn't able to play the pressing game like Hendo, Allen or Lucas and therefore switched it for tactical reasons. I see Lucas playing further forward and covering for Gerrard too.
Apparently linked to Rodrigo from Benfica for £25m. Can't see us spending that on him. Did nothing at Bolton, and is hardly a prolific goal scorer, even in the Portuguese league.
I think Lucas looks lost when he moves further forward, and he certainly cannot play alongside Gerrard. It's a shame because I do like Lucas but I don't think he's suited to the teams style (not particularly quick to cover ground unlike Allen and Henderson). Re. Rodrigo - £25m for him?? Ridiculous and I certainly hope we don't waste money on him, Sagna and Richards ...
