Can't expect him to run or pass on the same grass as Benteke when even senior players aren't capable of it
now i've got it. benteke shuffles his feet and makes the grass run against grain and that's why everyone's hamstrings have gone and why coutinho can't shoot straight.
With Toure and Ilori as our only available CB's (hope i'm wrong!), I'd seriously consider using Can back there in a defensive 3, pack midfield and make them work through us and hope to nick one on the break....as a one off only.....
Best line-up I could come up with is.. ---------------- Mings -- Clyne -- Lucas - Toure -- Moreno ----- Milner --- Can --- Allen --- Lallana ------------ Firmino ------------- Benteke Unless Mircales happen and we have the likes of Sakho, Hendo, Ibe and Sturridge available.. Could be a long night!
I wouldn't start Ilori, he looked knackered, leave him on the bench... Won't have many options on the bench to be honest.. could be loaded with youngsters.. Also, should see Danny Ward on the bench, think Bogdan could be gone this Transfer Window, he's shocking!
Agree that I don't think Ilori will start but imagine he is fully fit; Ilori, Clyne and Moreno are arguably the quickest defenders in the league. Sakho isn't a slouch either.
Ilori couldn't get a game for Villa mate......that'll be the same Villa who are ****ing atrocious. He was blowing out of his arse after 70 minutes at Exeter, he's clearly not match fit.
Defenders need more than just pace, though. I'm not sure about starting Ilori. He certainly doesn't look like he could go the 90, but it might be better to start him, try to weather the storm, then sub him off when his legs have gone. Bringing him on as a sub presupposes you know how long he can last. Lucas had a good game at CB last time out- he's a pro, and will give his all wherever he's asked to play, but it's not his position and I think Arse will give him a torrid time.
That doesn't mean much, when in a relegation fight managers become cowards and stick to the easy decisions Changing CB would usually take a couple of games to show the benefits and they can't face the questions for that long
He has a lot more than pace, but I agree. Young defenders will make mistakes but if they have pace to recover, then they their mistakes shouldn't be punished that often. Agree that I don't think he's ready for the Arsenal game (physically speaking).
What's Mascherano got to do with it? The point being he obviously wasn't showing in training and therefore never got a sniff at a club who were in obvious need of quality.
The point is players don't get picked for whatever reason. Ilori may not have been picked at Villa, but he was first choice at his previous loans clubs when fit. And bar a couple of nervy moments, he did pretty well against Exeter.
Really..... That'll be why he made 12 appearances for Bordeaux and 9 for Grenada in 2 entire seasons http://www.squawka.com/players/tiag...season-2013/2014#69#all-matches#1-38#by-match #eliteeuropeantalent
Think the RB at Arsenal is the quickest defender, if not player in the league, lad is rapid.. however, Moreno isn't too shabby in the pace department, that'll be a good battle to watch on Wednesday, obviously hope our boy comes out on top!
Don't bother Tobes. The lad is a worldie cos one of those games was v barca and he played a long pass and one was v Psg too. His injuries have been atrocious. For a guy who was on loan with view to buy to not even look close to being even able to play despite no injury is a question .. one of attitude. There is no denying he has some talent but then so does micah richards and so does a lot of guys Ilori looked rusty, played ok though v Exeter but was all done by 70 mins. Now he can improve but he will be very sore even now I think. The best thing lfc can do is figure out how to pressurise arsenal higher up and force them on the back foot.... but we don't have the players up front to do it. The ideal would be a city type display but I doubt arsenal will allow that like city did.
Bellarin is brilliant. I was told start of last season not to be ridiculous putting him as first choice arsenal rb... well .. he's really really good.
