Joe Cole's new deal would be more hope than expectation, personally, I'd sell him, but I have a feeling KK will keep him on. Pacheco is younger than N'gog and hasn't been given a chance in the first team. If we loan Pacheco out and make our decision next summer it wouldn't hurt because he is unlikely to feature for the first team, however N'gog is likely to be cover for the first team, and I just don't think he is upto it really. He doesn't make the runs we need a striker to make, he doesn't do enough for the team and I'd prefer us to sell him on unless he improves his game. Edit - Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it
In a 4-3-3, I can't see where Kuyt would fit in. The top 3 will be (should be IMO): Downing - Carroll - Suarez That is a more exciting and frightening attack. I believe Kuyt should be starting ahead of Carroll because Kuyt is more mobile and his movement is so much better. (But we all know that Carroll will be starting!) In the other bank of 3, again I cannot see where Kuyt would fit in: Adam - Lucas - Gerrard
Yeah i agree to a certain extent. But these days it is seriously a squad game, the squad needs to stay fresh and being able to mix it up does this. A good example of us not being able to do this is recently is when Gerrard has been overplayed, therefore, resulting in poor fitness levels towards the end of the season. You cant just have the same first 11 every match like you could in the 70's and 80's. Our squad is looking impressive and i believe we have plenty of options to be serious contenders
As long as we finish in the top 4, I'll be very happy. I know all about the financial implications of competing in the CL but to me, it's all about the prestige and playing amongst Europes finest. I remember the days when Rafa was here and we became one of the most feared teams. With the signings that Kenny has made, we have a strong core of players now and we are addressing our problems i.e. replacing Alonso with Adam, buying a proper winger. However, the defence needs strengthening. Besides Carra, I can't see a natural leader in the back 4 (excluding the youngsters). Agger won't play more than 30 games a season (which is a shame), Soto doesn't possess the quality, Skrtel needs a leader next to him. Hopefully we can offload players like Poulsen and Jovanovic before the end of the season.
Good, thoughtful article Jatt. My opinion, for what it's worth: I'd like to keep Cole and see if he can get a babysitter and show us the quality we know is in there somewhere. Kuyt's value is in his engine imo- I'm not sure about his potential as an impact player off the bench. To be fair, we've never had a chance to assess this because he's hardly been off the pitch. Ngog seems out of his depth, and I'm a bit worried Pacheco might go the same way. He looks like a boy amongst men at times to me.
Like I said, we would need depth and quality not just in the first team, but in the squad. This Hopefully we'll get Dann, I think out of Chelsea, Arsenal and us he would be happy to come to us and build on his game rather than go to Arsenal or Chelsea and be faced with a tough task with huge expectation. I hope we can get rid of Poulsen and Jovanovic too, it'll be good to see only players who not only we want at the club training, but who want to be there. Poulsen wants to stay according to his agent, although I don't see why, he isn't going to get many chances in the first team, maybe his just hoping it stays that way and he'll just increase his bank balance and all will be well come retirement. Who knows. Edit - Let's hope KK can get Skrtel some time off to look after Cole's kid then! I agree about what you said about Kuyt, he just is too good a work horse to leave out. Agreed about N'gog and I feel the same about Pacheco, if a good offer comes in for him, we might just have to let go.
I agree that Soto isn't good enough, no pace what so ever.. one thing i will say about him though is he definatley gave us a more physical presence in both boxes, he was a beast in the air! Don't think he'll leave this season as he may help the younger CBs because he is very experienced, nobody nos what he offers in the changing room which i feel is very important.
