Re. Kono - it's only the Dnipro President who is coming out with of this b*llocks. Kono was close to joining us in LFC if it wasn't for that moron. If we really want him, we'll get him in the summer, and Spurs have no chance. And Kono is levels above Suso and Ibe, and I would definitely have him to boost our attack further.
ploy to get a bidding war going to drive the price up? isnt he in last year of contract as well so wont hold that much value.
Exactly. In Jan, we were willing to pay £16m for him. In the summer, I suspect he'll go for less than £10m. In addition, performing well in the WC would normally inflate prices - Kono isn't going to the WC. It's a shame the move didn't materialise because I think he is a very good player with potential to become world class. I remember his agent tweeting how gutted both he and the player were when the move failed.
What the **** are you smoking MITO? We're carrying Flanagan and Hendo should be playing the holding role? Flanagan has done really well since coming in and has earned his place in the team. He's good defensively and a threat going forward, rarely loses the ball, is decent in the air and has frankly been a revelation to everyone I've spoken to since he came back in (bar the same people who seem to watch different games to me every week). As for wanting bench players who are all good enough to play first team football every week it's a lovely concept but also a pipe dream for now. We have no option (due to wage/budget restrictions) but to mix youth and cheaper, solid players around the fringes of the first team. We can't afford a bench full of internationals like City or the chavs. What we have to do is NOT stifle the development of youth players by gambling on 4 or 5 players who are going to sit on the bench all season sulking about why they can't get a game whilst taking home three times the wages of the younger kids we bring through.
I would class Flanagan as the reliable squad player. Versatile and you wouldn't mind him filling in to cover any injuries and general rotation. I do maintain that we should be looking for better options in both full back positions - real first XI quality.
C'mon be serious.... Just cos you don't appreciate my deep insights does mean I'm the nut. Henderson has already filled in in the holding role for us and was excellent, the fact remains we have a guy who's quite good but who's not the most wonderful on the ball unless he's got a bit of time, play him deeper he will show a range of talents and not just be "quite good" also to think a holding player won't cover just as much ground (11km from Henderson v utd as box to box) I would expect a holding player at his best to cover the same And as for Flanagan, mark my words now, there will come a time that he'll get shedloads of stick for not going forward, he dives in and is all arms. You guys know this... You also know that utd had no pace but still managed to suck a cheap yellow out of him He's young but he is fn average, there's nothing wrong with being that just like Allen is there but when you fill up with average you get 7th not 4th so I'll predict that the boy is a squad player not a first team regular P.s. Pipe dreams? Dare to dream I say, if you are so bogged in doubt you don't enjoy what's going on cos it might be disappointing in May? I won't miss out.... Win lose or 4th I am for enjoying this time to the max
Incorrect. IMO, this is where the squad options should be there. Some games require the FB to be more defensive, others more attacking. why not have two FBs for each side that compliment each other? Why not have a Arbeloa / Johnson type combination on the right? Riise / Babbel on the left? Its all about the options. I'm not discussing the capabilities of Flanagan any more. Well not until the critics get their eyes fixed
Agree. Really hope we go back in for him quickly in the summer. He'll be cheap for his quality and has a higher level to reach. Encouraging to hear his disappointment in January too - he clearly wants enter the 'big time' - would be very grateful to LFC if we stuck by him, and that would most likely reap rewards. It'd be good for the club to sign one of Eastern Europe's big stars too I suppose. However I'm not sure LFC will deal with Dnipro's owner out of principle. On the bench isssue... Obviously the ideal is to have a first XI who are the best choices, and a first XVIII who are all competitive/close enough in quality that they're all viable options for rotation or substitution. The ideal bench shouldn't be full of no-hopers or fillers, like ours. Barca, for example, regularly have Montoya, Bartra, Neymar, Tello or Cesc/Sanchez etc benched. But we're a long way from that. For me, we need to get rid of the 'no hopers' - Kelly, Aspas, Moses, Jones - and replace them either with players who are ready to play at a high level (like say Sakho when he's benched) or players with potential. We're kidding ourselves if we want a bench of seasoned internationals. Without any signings, our bench next year could be Jones, Agger, Wisdom, Flanagan, Allen, Coutinho, Borini. Obviously that's with Suso starting. That's a large bit better than what we have now - but it does reflect our over-stocked defence and understocked midfield/attack. We most likely will sell one of Agger/Skrtel and that bench slot will go to a winger, like Konoplyanka or Sterling. With a few reasoned signings and a few sales - IMO one of Agger/Skrtel/Toure, Glen, maybe Enrique (too injury prone), Aspas we could have a very healthy blend of young players who are already at quite a high level. So, I'd be looking to sign say Montoya as priority, then a winger like Kono, then probably another CM, unless Suso can play there. A back up keeper is a nice bonus.
He's a limited player. The best he can achieve is to become a 'Carragher' type figure (which is a great level) who used his intelligence to read the game which compensated for lack of pace and technique. I do think he will continue to improve and for that reason, I would keep him in the squad. But he shouldn't be a first team starter come next season.
Depends on where in the Ukraine he is from and whether he is pro-Russian. We don't want to upset our future Russian overlords.
Quite the statement there, especially considering that's exactly what I've been saying! I'd take a Carragher / Flanagan over a Agger / Johnson every single day of the week.
He's never going to be a world class full back - but he can be reliable and dependable figure for many years. The squad and team needs a blend of functional/efficient players and the real quality players. Personally, I believe you should have players who can do both rather than just tick one box (but they're hard to find).
Not disputing that but that doesn't mean you have to fill the team with fillers and crap. We've been doing that for the past god knows how long. Players like Arbeloa, Yossi and Aurelio weren't world class but they were at a level which allowed them to perform on big stages and consistently. (P.S - not saying that Flanno is crap btw). I just don't buy into this argument that you can't have 11 top class players. Perhaps the definition of top class is causing confusion but someone like Coutinho and Sturridge are not world class (yet) but they are at a good level. Why can't we aim to have 11 players like that? If I said I expected 11 Suarez's for their respective positions, then that is bonkers and unlikely.
Just as well you put that, was about to rant I think a top team should have good solid consistent performers which is complimented with two or three top quality players who still put effort in (I don't ever want a Berbatov!). I highlighted consistent because I think that is the most important attribute for the majority of the team. You can afford to have one or two that are hit and miss but the Arbeloas, Hendersons, Carraghers, Kuyts, etc are essential for a top side. I think Flanagan will fit this list and each and everyone one of them were / are good enough for a title challenging team in this country!
Haha I knew you would! I agree with you in that the team needs those types of players - I just don't think that Flano is on the same level with the likes of Carra, Arbeloa, Finnan etc. He definitely could be but just not yet and I don't want to be in a position where we're relying on this lad to play 50 games a season including Champions League where he will be mauled. We've seen him being beaten by quick players so many times this season.
Have you seen his FIFA overall? 67!!! Get him the **** out of there! He still has plenty of time to grow but this season will have helped him tremendously no doubt. It will be interesting this summer with so many coming back and hopefully the CL and all those competitions to deal with.
Btw, really gutting stuff with Jese Rodriguez who blew his knee out the other day. A really really really exciting talent at Madrid and the fact he is pushing those first team players and producing at what, 20 years old, is unreal. Really tough for him that.
Yeah such a shame. Did you see Morata last night? One of their brightest youngsters but looked completely short on confidence.
