If we can get some of the names being mentioned on here at good prices in the areas of right wing, striker & AM it'll be a bonus but as already stated I'd rather we waited until the perfect fit was available in these positions rather than just buying & hoping. I think Downing is appalling but I don't want to spend similar money on a player just to see Downing repeated. Defence is covered. I rate Kelly & would like to see him used as cover for Agger or Skrtyl along with Coates. In his first year I understood the reluctance but if it's his natural position why is he not used as automatic cover? GK coach should sort Reina out and maybe using Doni more as a reminder that he's not untouchable? I actually think this year showed that the one position we need to spend money on is back up/ rotation for Lucas. He gives our existing AM & strikers the confidence & freedom to go forward & support each other in & around the box which is something that went when he was absent & arguably one of the reasons why our scoring rate was poor; no one in the box. I put Adams downfall down to asking him to take on some of Lucas role which he's just not good enough for. Spearing is fine in the likes of the cups but not the league. Gerrard is too old for his box to box coverage & needs to be used as a AM with freedom to roam as long as its always over the half way line. Even if Lucas comes back at the same level as previous we are now in the Europa & Lucas style & work rate could see him burn out if he's used in all the games. And there is always the possibility of injury again. So those of you with more knowledge of the game than I who would you suggest we could get that is on par with Lucas?
Bit of a long shot but Javi Martinez. If the bigger clubs don't persue their interest in him, then I would definately take him. Can play as a CB or DM. His passing ability would definately compliment Lucas. Seems unlikely though. Moussa Sissoko would be a brilliant player - would give us more energy, power and pace. Our midfield looks lightweight at times.
Ditto, I was saying we need a quality DM come CM that can play with and deputise for Lucas. We have to assume Lucas wont be ready to start the new league campaign as our starting DM so we desperatley need this position above all else I believe. For me, although I belive we need 5 players to complete the squad, I think we can get away with 3: *A 1st choice DM or defensive minded CM. *A Fast Agile centre forward. Ala Jelavic or Papis Cisse. *A quality winger who can operate on both wings. There are so many players avilable on free's or are surplus to requirements at some clubs that It will be a massive face palm if we fail to get these positions sorted. Espeacially when you consider the amount of periphial players that are due to be offloaded.
I personally dont believe we'd stand a chance on Javi Martinez, love the player but A) We cannot afford the inevitably large transfer fee & B) he could walk into a plethora of champions league placed club. Not at the same standard but Flamini is available on a free this summer and hasnt been getting much of a look in at AC Milan, also Felipe Melo was loaned out to Gala from Juve so isnt in there 1st team plans so wouldnt be extortionate.
Still trying to get hang of emoticons (still think of transformers when i write that word) not worthy of all that aplause but was a thumbs up Now smiley i can do.
I think you could also argue that in the case of Lucas back-up, Spearing is were Lucas was 2 seasons ago. Maybe in that position game time and blending with the squad is important (in no way do I think 2 players are the same, and will develop the same but there are parallels). At some point (with the inevitable loss of Carra and down the line Gerrard) we really do need to stick with some of our youngsters (participially locals / british), we need to develop a core group of players that we can grow with and be the heartbeat of our team for the next 6-8 years. If your talking of a Lucas replacement, then that's a totally different discussion (currently Spearing is not up to it).
I think to get back on topic, most people have got the common sense to see where we need strengthening. Another RB, a replacement for Downing and another striker to take the pressure off. If Kuyt and Maxi go, then we need to replace them too. We can't expect to have any success if we are totally dependant on Hendo and Adam, now can we?
I know what your saying and agree to an extent, but for me the question is do we gamble on bringing these players through which obviously means allowing them to grow and make mistakes in the knowledge that they MIGHT become good enough for the foreseeable future or do we plan for the here and now and champions league qualification and worry about blooding these youngsters secondery ? For me the amount of available players of better quality than we have for relative peanuts means we have to go for the second option ! Spearing, Henderson, Shelvey would be best off given a short term loan to a newly promoted team to gain their experience but not at OUR expense. If our replacements arnt upto scratch then they can be recalled, if the replacements go on to be succesful then keep them out on loan. For the record I wouldnt send all 3 on loan, I'd keep 1 of the 3.
I think that's why the Europa cup should not be underestimated as a useful tool. We can continue the technical development of the younger players at a level way above the reserves or bit part moments in the league. If they show they are good enough for Europe they can then be more quickly integrated into the league side as & when needed. Since the Europa cup isn't seen as important by the media & certain sections of the fans the pressure will be off compared to being dumped into the league for 20 minutes & expected to excel! I believe Spearing could definitely benefit as well as Henderson,Shelvey & the young defenders and possibly Sterling where he will be afforded more protection in the European game. If & when we return to champions league football you have your core group of young players with plenty of European experience. It's a win win.
Good call dirty frank, Europa and cup comps great for giving experience to players, but rather we tried to win europa as extends rep in europe, you cant tell me those players at bilboa did not see the europa as important, they were devastated. Maybe treat cc and fa with same disrespect the fa have shown the fans and field seriously weakened teams. Saying that i would take any trophy next season, well apart from the emirates cup, I hear that already has arsenals name on it.
Or maybe we except were we are and build a future. In any case, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs all had issues at some point in the season, all have issues to fix in the summer. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that adding a couple of players in the key area (attacking) we could, and I do say could, make top 4 next season whilst still building for the future. In my opinion (and it is only an opinion) we need to give Henderson and Shelvey playing time, I do not believe loaning them out will benefit us in anyway (Henderson has already proved himself at a decent midtable team, Shelvey come back from Blackpool after a good spell but you can see the improvement he has made in each game he has played with us) the issue is the expectancy, higher level, and familiarity with the team. This can only be gained by being with us, at some point you have to draw the line and give part of your team to the development of the future. Yes its a gamble, yes these players might not be good enough but I do feel you need to devoted space in the team for this. I do honestly think that all top teams need a ever present core of players, after Carra and Gerrard hang up there boots who is going to be ours? How often did people slate Rafa for persevering with Lucas?
I rather see Henderson and Shelvey out on loan to another Prem Club - similar to how Wellbeck played for Sunderland and Sturridge played for Bolton. Whilst, I do agree that giving them more playing time is essential to their development, they have to be surrounded by experience and quality. Unfortunately, we've been expecting too much from them whilst the experienced players have under-delivered. If LFC is to progress in the coming seasons, then we need players who can slot straight into the first right now and it will be at the expense of Hendo and Shelvey.
Again I agree to an extent, but loaning out 2 of hendo, spearing and shelvey will not impact our future for the negative, it would only be for this season anyway. Would gaining experiance playing 1st team every week for say a promoted team not be more benificial than sporadic outings for us when they are clearly not good enough to get us top 4 just now ? It's about offsetting them now to accomadate them for our future. Everyone wins providinig the replacements are of better quality.
If we take into account our midfield options as it stands are: DM - Lucas & Spearing CM - Adam/Shelvey/Henderson Then its extremeley clear that we need stregthening, I'd like to see along the lines of: DM - Lucas & Flamini or Melo CM - would you be happy to see one of Adam/shelvey/henderson/shelvey alongside either of Lucas/Flamini or Melo ? I certainley would prefer a ball playing CM along the lines of Rasmus Elm. If we are to get the best out of Gerrard further up the pitch then 2 Midfielders of quality will need to added to the squad, A cm and a dm capable of being 1st teamers. If this is the case then the midfield options would hypothetically read: DM - Lucas & Flamini or Melo CM - Rasmus Elm & 2 of Adam/shelvey/henderson/spearing If we take into account Spearing is the most defensive of the quartet then he should stay with us as cover so that leaves a choice of 3 players for one spot, hendo is probably the most versitile of the 3 so that leaves Adam & shelvey potentially free to loan or in Adams case potentially sell ! I'm not saying this should definatley be the case, but CM is a problem and has been since Mash and Alonso went. We havent replaced Alonso or Mach, tried with Aqualani and it didnt work out ! have also tried with spearing but is currently not good enough if we are to push for 4th.
Also, DBS Aqua is till on our books and might actually be in the team next year! Kenny has said he would welcome him back. Could have used him this year ffs I say!
To be fair, he said the same last season only for him to be loaned out. I think it's more of the case that Aqua doesn't want to be here rather than our reluctance to use, which I hope is true because it would be stupid of Kenny not to be playing him. I was watching some of the pre-season matches last season and Aqua put in some great corners (something that we've been lacking!) and his technique, abilty to strike the ball and his final pass are all skills that we've been lacking this season.
I would be more than happy with a returning Aqualani as a ball playing CM or even further forward in a 4-5-1 deputising for Gerrard providing we had a 2 good DM's, this is why its crucial we get a quality DM, the versatility this would bring would be priceless. However there are question marks over his interest in coming back. He looked great pre season and lets face it if he's good enough for AC Milan he should be good enough to replace Charlie Adam/Henderson/Shelvey. But he quite clearly wants to stay in Italy and we dont need a half hearted CM in our team, for what its worth I believe AC Milan will eventually sign him otherwise another Italian team will come in for him, I mean £7m is a great price for him replacement for Hamsik if he goes or Del Piero ?
