Ince's contract is up in the summer - better option than Hatem IMO, and by far the cheaper option in the short term and better sell on in the long term. We need a good organiser at the back and a sitting midfielder to cover for Lucas far more than we need another attacking midfielder/second striker.
Meh, still think Pepe is one of the best in the league. Got beaten at the weekend for the second, but really, other than Aguero, who else would have scored that? Pepe had to come out - Skrtel should have cleared it but called Pepe out instead, then didn't exactly stretch himself to cover Pepe in case what happened, happened (i.e. he didn't get back between the player and the goal). The commentators would have said he forced him wade and narrowed the angle well. Instead, they creamed themselves all over Sergio... We are light for cover - I don't think Brad Jones is much good, so God alone knows how bad Peter Gulacsi must be in training for BR to not give him a chance when he's handing out the shirts to youngsters all over the place...
I don't agree with that. Aguero was going nowhere and Skrtel was only a yard behind. IMO, if Pepe stays back then there is no goal.
This, Pepe did not have to come out, Aguero was going away from goal as well, wasn;t as if he was about to bear down on pepe unchallenged.
Skerts had been a couple ahead and not sprinting. He looked to Pepe to come out. As a keeper, its bloody hard to watch the CB giving up a chase into the area and knowing you'll effectively be one-on-one. IMO, he did the right thing and force Aguero wide. 99% of strikers would have missed from there - Hell, even Aguero would miss it every other day. It went in, and Pepe got criticised - where was the criticism of Skrtel for opening the door and ushering Sergio through?
I don't think Pepe deserved criticism as he did push Ageuro wide, Sergio won't score that goal too many times if you gave him ten goes at it. I just didn't agree that he had to come out, if Reina had stayed then Aguero would have still been wide with Skrtel in close chase too (Skrtel went towards the line having seen Reina coming out). As I said, IMO, it wouldn't have been a goal had Pepe stayed put but I'm certainly not blaming him either. I think the immediate reaction of the players tells a story, both Reina and Skrtel look towards each other with their arms out but neither say a word.
Having come out that far, he had to take the ball or the player, or both. To be caught stood upright outside of his area was poor. Having said that it still took an incredible finish for Aguero to score.
Would have been a good signing had we not brought in Coutinho. He's a top player, was brilliant last season and continued in that form this season aswell, until his injury. He could be a huge improvement from Downing in the RW. But now that we have Couts, don't see it happening. We are better off using the Funds on buying a quality AMC and a GK. Even though Dowining is likely to be sold, we'd still have enough depth upfront. But i think he would have been a better option than Coutinho.
I think it will depend on the opposition. Some times you need three string midfielders in the middle so Henderson will play as the AM. But some times you dont need so much muscle in midfield so you can afford an extra attacker, or teams ho sit back need some one to unlock them, so Countinho will play as the AM. Saying that though, Suarez and Sturridge look like a good partnership. What about Suso though? He is only a year younger than Countinho so where does he fit?
Was it not you that thought Suso would float more and be played out wide like Silva has been? I think you can have multiple No. 10's nothing wrong with that. I think they will all interchange anyway.
I dont remember saying that but I do remember once comparing how City use Silva and Nasri to how we play.
I read on newcastles board they rate him at £20mil plus. Obviously this figure must include the LFC Mugged Tax, as i dont see anyone else bidding that much for the guy.
