When Daniel Agger limped off yesterday, the last position on the pitch that we weren't down to bare bones limped off with him. We are now down to our last recognised CB pairing. No first choice LB or RB. Gerrard's is not yet match fit so our midfield will be lightweight, and Sturridge has yet to make a return. Basically, we have half of our first team out with no sign of reinforcements just yet. We need to wrap Suarez, Coutinho & Henderson in cotton wool as if any one of these falls, so will any chance of top four. On the upside, it was good to see some of the fringe players get a run out yesterday....It looks like we're going to need them soon enough! I saw a rumour of a return of Masch this weekend.....would love to get him back on loan to the end of the year. I think that'd be a bit more realistic than signing him tbh. Anyone else have any other realistic signings that'd actually enhance our squad and our first team, loan or otherwise?
We've been very unlucky with injuries this season, I realize every team gets them but usually not in this scale! I think like most people I'd be happy with a LB/RB, CM and a winger if ones available. In terms of who? It's really difficult to say as there isn't much availability in January, let's hope we can pull another Coutinho/Sturridge out of the bag
I have to ask whether there's an issue with training etc or is it just bad luck?? I know Dagger could injure himself in his sleep but considering we've had no midweek Euro games it's a worry to see so many injuries occuring as soon as we get a heavier schedule.
I think it's just the intensity of the Christmas schedule taking it's toll mate. Virtually every side in the division has collected a catalogue of injuries over the last couple of weeks.
Playing 4 games in 10 days certainly does not help. Hopefully we can bring in 3-4 players in January, all of whom have the ability to get into the first team straight away. Positions that need covering are both full back positions and DM/CM. A versatile attacker would be a bonus.
The clubs should fund a proper statistical study and then present it to the FA/PL. Other leagues have a winter break because it is in the interests of their players' health but we actually increase the number of games played. #dutyofcare
things will only be bad when we see Coates in the first team. how long he been here now and how many opportunities he had,Kelly is another, these 2 really need to be moved on. suppose at the mo they are need which is worrying, we not got any youngsters we can test out, maybe for home games in?
I'm not going to start moaning about us being crippled by injuries etc but it's a worry for me that if we do get Europe next year the squad could be decimated by November nevermind Jan. It doesn't help sending a player like Wisdom out on a season loan either really....although I accept that's probably being used as a bargaining chip in the Hughes deal it's still pretty frustrating. Hopefully with Flannel due back we can cover the full back slots with him and Kelly and keep Toure in the middle. Might also be time to see if Illori is up to the job yet.
Whilst I don't want a winter break, I think the number of games over the Christmas period should be reduced. These guys are honed athletes, operating at peak intensity every match. We shouldn't be expecting them to play 5 games in 14 days.
I hear what you're saying but hindsight is a wonderful thing - opportunities for Suso and Wisdom were going to be limited this season so we sent them out on loan. And now they're enjoying a lot of success at their respective clubs which is far more valuable than playing in the reserves. Cannot wait to have the two of them back - with games under their belt, with increasing confidence
It's not the loans I have an issue with as such JS it's the fact that we can't recall them. I know the majority of modern loan deals are like that now and I accept the deals will be good for these players in the long run but it just seems strange to be doing it when we have a squad as thin as ours. Anyway I still think we've got enough players to cope for now but if we do get another couple of injuries we could start to struggle.
I think we are ok. I'll predict johnson to play v stoke and cissohko too. we have yet to hear about agger so we can't assume anything but toure and skertl will do ok. lucas, henderson and gerrard will start v stoke and allen is average anyway. the only player we can't lose is suarez we did ok before he came back but we did dig in first 3. Mingolet johnson toure skertl cissohko gerrard lucas henderson sterling suarez coutinho potentially will see sturridge o nthe bench this weekend or next... aspas, moses alberto, ilori, jones.... we've enough let for one game a week!
That team is capable of winning games, Sterling is getting in behind for fun at the moment - just needs to be more deadly when he does!
I don't think our injury list is that big. The problem is more about our lack of depth and the injuries being in the light areas such as FB and CM.
If we want to gain anything out of this season, then we need 2 out Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho. For just pure goals - Suarez and Sturridge. For more balance - Coutinho + Suarez/Sturridge. These 3 are the key to our team. We have a top class attack which is carrying us this season, as our midfield/defence are struggling to see out games and hold onto leads.
i agree. he misses a lot. making a really good run off suarez before aspas came in and swapped him to left side.
IMO, its Suarez > Coutinho > Sturridge. We can cope without Danny (see recent results for evidence) and still play good football. If Coutinho is missing our football suffers although we did still get the results when he was out earlier in the season. See the above line for when Suarez is missing but this clearly as a much bigger impact.
again i agree totally. need to look at full back and midfield cos we've too many cbs if anything. need full backs doing more and mroe energy from lucas and gerrard not henderson.
He's getting better each game.. Is it me or has he "baulked" up a bit? Grown a bit too? He seems to be able to get past his man more often too now, be it with raw pace or the odd jink or two, keep it up young man! Agree, a bit more composure in front of goal is all thats required, be it finishing the move off with a goal or picking the right pass. Doubt he'll be sent on loan now, even if we get Salah or whoever in the Jan window.
