Milner vs Downing at LB

Did anyone see the AC Milan game in California? How did Milner do in the LB role in that game?

 

I watched the match last night and tbh Milan were ****e. So probably not a good indicator but he seemed to do fine. Typical Milner nothing spectacular but did his job. Clyne seemed quiet too.

 

Clyne is a great full back.

 

He's solid defensively but he's poor going forward. He still needs competition.

 

You could say that about any player

 

great is such a strong word for clyne.

 

Not in comparison to the full backs we've had for the last ten years, with the possible exceptions of Finnan and Arbeloa..

 

Well that is us.... I mean he's no Gerry neville but he's better than Paul Parker.

Full backs are usually pretty much **** wingers anyway so...

 

My remembrances of left fulls for lfc.

Beglin
Staunton
Burrows
Dicks
Harkness
Bjornebye
Traore
Riise
Arbeloa
Aurelio
Insua
Konbloodychesky
Enrique

When you put it this way....

Moreno follows a long line of totally **** left fulls.

By contrast

Neal
Nicol
Venison
Jones
Heggem
Kvarme
Mcateer
Babbel
Finnan
Josemi
Kronkamp
Johnson
Clyne.


I think clyne is best since Jones in that lot but not a patch on Nicol.

Too many crap buys

 

Finnan and Babel were better RB's
Also Arbeloa was / is a RB not left and he was better as well.

 

Babbel was very good but ultimately his fitness meant he wasn't a reliable option. A shame his career ended but I'd take Clyne over him any day.

I'd take Clyne over Arbeloa & Finnan too, I've got to agree with Mito.

 

I wouldn't put Clyne above Finnan.

The first three were before my time. I'd go...
1) Jones
2) Finnan
3) Babbel
4) Clyne
...from that list. Clyne had time to climb up though.

 

A few gems there but that is a pretty sad listing overall. Almost certainly the worst position on the field for us over the years.

 

My top 4 would be below but As you say, clyne has plenty time to improve on that.

Arbeloa
Finnan
Babbel
Clyne

 

You know agreeing with MITO makes you instantly wrong though..?

 

I agree, and that was my point. Compared to the dross we've had since Finnan, Clyne stands out as a proper full back. I rate Arbeloa in that bracket too. But my main point is that we shouldn't use a class right back to cover a **** left back and put a medi0cre replacement for them at right back. If it's got to be Milner, it's got to be Milner, but leave Clyne at right back. I'd even play Wisdom at left back before Moreno, but I wouldn't play him at right back so we could put Clyne at left back. No, no, no.

 

Dont think anyone has suggested that have they? Klopp played Milner at LB so suggests he'd rather Milner LB than move clyne over.

 

Btw, I rate Glen Johnson of a about four/five years ago as the best attacking right back/wing back we've had since Lawler. But he was an iffy defender to start with, and somehow got steadily worse. For a tall guy he won **** all in the air either.

 

No, he moved Clyne to LB a few times last season. Just hoping he doesn't anymore. I honestly think Clyne could be a future captain, but I hope I'm not jinxing him. And for all Walker's barnstorming performances for England in France in the summer, the Iceland game showed what a crap defender he is compared to Clyne, in my book. And that's the point - Clyne isn't perfect, but he is a solid defender, and that's not something we've had at fullback for some time.

 

I'd have Arbeloa third behind Jones and Finnan