So for those who use twitter and those who follow Enrique, it seems he is having issues with the knee again. Luckily we have the international break so he can recouperate but I hope this is not a lingering issue. If this becomes a problem, then that means Johnson will have to move to LB ( again) and Kelly will then play RB, but does this not show just how unbalanced our squad is? That the options for different positions is not someone to come in, but someone to slide over more or less? I hope this is just a tedious thing and nothing serious but it seems in some pretty important positions we don't have real depth but youngsters who are just not quite there yet ( Defenders, Mids, and Forwards). Thoughts on the balance of our squad? Too much of a gap between the experienced players and the youth causing some problems?
We played well enough with Glen at LB for extended periods last season without problems. Kelly looks good at RB anyway. I don;t see that as a problem for the team. Lucas' injury is a much more pressing problem.
Kelly can be injury prone then what happens? Instead of having ample cover we have to move and shift which throws the chemistry and togetherness off. I wouldn't have as much faith with Flanno in there if Kelly got hurt and Robinson is still young and learning, needs to go on loan for me. Lucas is another problem yes, but at least we have Allen and Sahin. Again the balance I am also talking about is that we would be moving our 20 million pound LM who was bought to provide assists and chip in the odd goal, as our back up LB. Just doesn't scream a good balance in the team with that. UP top is a whole new kettle of fish as well. I just think our team has to shift too much when an injury happens or someone who underperforms keeps their place due to that gap in experience, quality, and age.
Remember Rodgers said Downing could play left back. Rodgers knows of the issue but maybe thought the funds wouldn't stretch to signing a left back this summer, so he has seen who else is available and thought of Downing. I can see us looking to sign a new left back next summer who is more in the mold of Glen Johnson.
I'm a fan of Robinson and feel that if Enrique and Johnson get injured then he should be given the opportunity to cover. He's the kind of player that need to play the League and maybe Europa Cup game to give him experience.
That is the point though, we are takig what was/is supposed to be one of our attacking threats and using him in a defensive role due to the lack of coverage and balance in certain areas. I just don't want to see our defense start to fall apart and we continue to concede and can't score, it will be a long ass year! I think Robinson should just come in or Kelly even and keep Glen though at RB for me.
I would throw Robinson in. I have never rated Johnson as a right back and I think he is even more prone to a mistake at left back. Robinson or Downing at left back if Enrique is injured.
I read somewhere that BR tried to trade Enrique for Dempsey... he was also trying to get a LB in on deadline day... but failed at that too. For him to try trading one problem spot for another is telling. I think he recognizes the problem in that position.. I don't think he values Enrique highly and would be surprised if he is with us next season. Glen is quite anonymous at LB... he seems to get involved less there.
Which is strange though as I would have thought Enrique would fit the bill? To try and trade Enrique for Dempsey sounds crazy as well.
I agree but then an anonymous full back is often a good thing (as in if he isn't getting raped or giving the ball away then he's doing his main job but you don't notice him too much). I actually thought GJ and Sterling down the left were excellent against City (especially first half) with both covering each other well and plenty of pace going forward. Seemed to have a decent understanding.
I noticed that and agree in that Johnson is less error prone on the left, he may not be so spectacular going forward but I think that's a good trade. It then mean Kelly can play on the right, he always does well and being more defensive it makes the defence more solid.
It is an issue but I am not overly worried, well certainly no more than other areas of the pitch! Agger can always fill in if Johnson or Kelly are injured and this would give Coates or Kelly an opportunity to get game time in their positions. Not sure what happened to Enrique but he looks pretty shaky since Valencia turned him inside out.
Agree with this, he seems comfortable on the ball and I dont think hed flap much with the style we are playing at the moment. I'm not sure about Downing at left back, his tackling is a bit clumsy, and I have no idea what he's like at marking. Give Robbo a chance this season, then buy in the summer if he's not up to scratch.
