First of all I'd like to say hi there to everyone on the Liverpool forum I'm new to this but used to post the odd article on 606. I'm glad this website doesn't have much WUM's as 606 had I'm happy about the signings that we have made so far, I know that everyone isn't happy with the Henderson deal because of the price but the thing is we were severely lacking squad depth for possibly the past 2 seasons, our bench was woeful but now with the likes of Henderson, Adam and Downing (should be a done deal) + the return of Insua and Aquilani we are starting to get some depth into the squad. All this and the positives of the last few months of last season with the youngsters being able to prove their worth to the team, the likes of Flanagan, Robinson, Kelly and Spearing being able to step up and do a good job for the first team when we were struggling with injuries to key players. Our focus for this season must be a top 4 finish and winning one of the cups for me I'd love for us to win the F.A Cup once again. Anything else would be a big bonus, I'm really excited for this season our midfield is very strong and surely our defence will be bolstered up with the arrival of a new left back that we are desperately lacking. My questions to all of you is what do you make of our new signings so far? Who else would you like to see Kenny sign for us? and What are you hoping for the new season?
Signings have been a bit odd to be honest. Where are all these midfielders going to play??? Still think we need a CB and possibly a LB unless we're going to give youth a chance in that position or play GJ there? A back up striker wouldn't be a bad idea either but again I don' t think that is as important as a new CB. Goals for the season? 4th place, simple as that. Either of the cups would be nice but the success of the season will be based on whether or not we're in the Champions league next season.
I understand your concern but I'm quite happy that we have at least signed decent Premiership players, it gives us some more options if plan A isn't really working in a certain game whereas for a while we couldn't really change the way we played as our bench was just too weak. Also the addition of Adam might now mean that Gerrard won't need to take corners as over the years I've noticed his corners aren't very good but Adam is very good at set pieces, it just gives us some more options and squad depth. I'd say a left back is main priority as we can't really rely on Aurelio as he's too injury prone and Insua wasn't that defensively sound when he played. The option of giving youth or Johnson a try there still needs a little work I think Johnson can do a good job like he did last season when he played left back but we will have to see what Kenny is planning to do with that left back spot. Yeah I agree 4th place minimum anything else above that will be a bonus.
Welcome to the board! This place is a lot better than 606! Im reasonably happy with the signings we have made if not a little underwhelmed, when your linked with Mata and get Downing it is slightly annoying but i do back SD to prove himself to be a success. Happy with Hendo turning up if it was 10mill too much and im delighted we got Charlie Adam could turn out to be a cracking signing! At the end of the day in money terms i dont care too much because it isn't my money! For the season i have said previously id be happy anywhere in the top 4 and a decent FA cup run and then the following season launch a full assault on everything.
Oh don't get me started on Gerrard taking corners!!! If you looked through my comment history I'd be fairly certain 1 out of every 10 mentions Steven Gerrard and how bad he is at taking corners, Charlie Adam isn't just a good signing in that sense, he's a bloomin' god send!
Thank you for the warm welcome Somerset Scouse... Fair point I was really excited with us being linked with Mata, I'm not sure that we'll sign him now and him being linked with Arsenal is a little depressing but I'm still happy with Downing as he's a good Premiership proven player and I think Carroll will benefit immensely from him. Henderson is one for the future and I would like to see him play on the right wing when he plays I think we've got way too many central midfielders now and he is quite pacey so might be worth experimenting him on the right. One thing is for sure though things are looking much more positive than they were a year ago.
All in all, I'm happy with the signings so far with the exception of Henderson as I don't see how he fits in and if we actually need him. Downing and Adam are players that we definately needed and add something different to our attack. We still need a left back - Aurelio won't play more than 30 games, Insua needs to be rotated and same with Jack Robinson. In my opinion, we should offload Aurelio and bring in another LB, one who will play the majority of games and provide experience. I believe we are more than capable of a top 4 spot. We showed towards the end of last season that we can play good football and pick up points with a relatively poor squad and without some of our key players.
Yeah it is frustrating seeing Gerrard take corners I would rather him be waiting on the edge of the box waiting for the chance to pounce on a loose ball too many times his corners have failed to beat the first defender and with Adam's arrival hopefully Gerrard doesn't take corners anymore just penalties and free kicks but again Adam is good at that as well so Stevie has some good healthy competition on the set pieces front
Goals: Top 4 minimum. Good cup run to at least semi final stage. Demonstrate ability to break defensive sides down. Beat the mancs home and away
I agree Aurelio has been given countless number of chances, he is a decent player but his injury record is appalling and it might be time to move on for him as he is getting older now...The Henderson situation has probably divided the supporters I think its way too early to judge if he's going to be a hit or miss I think Kenny and Comolli has invested in the future with this lad he has some potential, way over priced but there is surely something Kenny has seen that has got him excited over this player. Your last 2 lines are very interesting, I think the fact that Torres left and Gerrard was out injured and we didnt really have much to play for drove all the players to work harder and one thing that really impressed me was everyones work rate and Kuyt for me led by example as well as Suarez, I think if we can replicate that then we'll replicate our good form towards the end of last season and launch a good campaign to finish in the top 4.
I think that this season Stevie is going to be massive for us, recharged, refreshed and fit with better players around him and more competition for places we should really see him up his game, the last 18months (like torres) he has been nowhere near the Gerrard we've seen for the majority of his career.
I genuinely believe that Gerrard hinders our performances. Don't get me wrong, he has led up well and won us a lot of games. But over the past two years, injuries have caught up with him and I think the rest of the team are intimidated by his presence. i.e. Lucas has the ball and Kuyt is in a very good position but Gerrard is demanding the ball, Lucas is more likely to pass it to Stevie (despite Stevie being in a worse position). Having players like Mascherano and Alonso were both strong characters so I don't think they fazed by this. But youngsters like Lucas will look up to Stevie and pass to him at every opportunity. And I agree - without Stevie, the rest of the team step up and IMO they play a lot better. The only problem is, Stevie is one of our more dynamic players who can change a game. We don't have many players like that - only Suarez. With Downing and Aquailini in the squad, I believe we have more 'game changers'.
I'll tell you where Henderson fits in,when he and Adam play in the same side,Henderson will be Adams legs.Whereas Adam will provide the precision passing.In other words,Henderson will get on the end of the pin-point passes provided by Adam.
I really do hope this is true. I think the fact that there is more competition in the centre of midfield will make Gerrard work harder for his place and make him realise he can't really walk into the first team anymore like he used to. We do need him and hopefully like you said the long break he had due to injury has benefited him and he's fit as ever. This may sound bad but I want Gerrard to give up the captaincy so he can concentrate on his game because this is probably one of the first times he needs to really work hard to rediscover his magical form he has lost over the last year and a half or so. I suggest that he should give the captaincy to Carragher and work on his game. What do you lot think? Am I crazy? haha
Welcome to the forum! I think a top 4 position is a good aim to have. With the signings we have made, I think getting into the top 4 is a realistic prospect. I would also like a decent cup run as well.
Don't think that will happen nor do i really want this to happen! he is the club captain at the end of the day, and when hes on that pitch i expect him to be wearing the armband. It hasn't affected his form previously so i dont think it will this season. The reason Gerrards form has slumped is because of the calibre of players leaving and replacements being bought from the bargain basement now we are getting better players hes going to be looking better. For the majority of last season he was trying to pick out an out of form Torres or a useless striker in Ngog, with Suarezs runs into the channels and big Andy Carroll up front he can actually look up and be confident in his passes knowing that more often than not either of those 2 or Downing will get on the end of them.
Top four is realistic and achievable. I'll tell you why.We're as good as Arsenal...Arsenal haven't improved,They still haven't grown a pair.They still have a soft a centre as the mid 1990s Liverpool side under Roy Evans.Arsenal are still like a blonde bimbo,great to look at but theres nothing there afterwards.No real substance. Chelsea haven't overhauled their ageing squad,Man City are still managed by Mancini and look to be losing Tevez and Man United still don't have a central midfield.
KPR why arn't you modding anymore? i always thought you were good, closing down obvious WUM threads in less than 2mins!
honestly..... I think i want to see what goes on at arsenal right now. Last year thye bascially blitzed the league up to about march then collapsed. If they sell and don't buy then we've a chance. I think 5th and a good run in both cups, if we lose we should go donw to a better team giving our all not throwing it away like last year. Fighting for 4th sounds good but there's still some work to do for me to think thats on. My worries are what happens while lucas and suarez recover from copa america. both will be big loses. What will happen if carroll has more injuries? Who will cover. Will we fill the left back slot? If answers to these points come up i nthe positive i nthe next 30 days then i think we've a chance to compete. having a chance to compete is better than none like last year! Oh and i hope to see effort, positivity and honesty in every game from our boys no matter who plays, who we are against and where. If we get that we've got the quality (after those niggling questions get answered)
