Lot's of positive threads around today, which is nice. Here are a few different things to think about: Steven Gerrard. Quality when he's on the ball but did yesterday highlight what we lack from his older legs off it? One of the reasons Spurs looked so bad was because they had no space, we had were full of energy in the middle of the park and gave them no time on the ball at all.....we lacked this vs Arsenal and even vs Hull recently. Henderson's distribution yesterday was awesome and made a mockery of (even my) concerns of his all round game. It's not something to celebrate, SG days as a nailed on starter are fast coming to an end. Glen Johnson. Get a new contract sorted pronto! Possibly one of our most under-rated players for a few years now. Christmas. Am I right in thinking that if Arsenal don't beat Chelsea at the weekend and we beat Cardiff, we'll be top on Christmas day? Whisper it quietly but it could be a very merry Christmas! BREAKING NEWS: AVB SACKED. Not surprised! 2 new quality signings please for Christmas Brendan and FSG. Our best chance in a few years to get back into the top 4............JUST DO IT!!!
I'd take a draw in the Chelsea v Arsenal game, would absolutely love to be top at Christmas. Henderson was superb yesterday in every single aspect of his game. Short passing, first touch passing, long passive, vision, runs, tracking back.. All top notch, he really came of age and long may it continue. Hopefully now people within football will start taking note of Henderson, it's ridiculous that he still gets thrown in to the flop bracket. Disagree with you about Johnson but yesterday he was slightly better, I do think Montoya would be a great fit down the right hand side.
I never read the comments before replying to an OP for some reason so i'm sure this has been said but... 1. Gerrard should be a bit part player now. 60mins or 30 mins one or the other... have been saying for 18months. he was shattered for the last 4 month of last year and we needed a player then. this year... he will be too. we need that option. 2. johnson... no thanks. i think yeah he's good but he's also dodgy as hell at the back and from set play. A contract? it better be about 50% of what it is now. 3. Yes we could be top on christmas... 4. New signings... yes 2 needed for sure. If there is a player going that can add to our midfield that'd be great but we need a real striker option. sturridge coutinho, suarez plus x.. that cannot be aspas. 2.
Johnson's not having a good season, imo. We should be looking to sell and replace in the summer. We're still going to be in the mix by the new year; FSG need to add another forward option and another centre midfielder if we hope to sustain this push. It's very possible. Spuds are awful and United are folding. My criticism of Allen is common, but he played great yesterday. As a trio, the energy and pressing was fantastic. Maybe not as individually skillful as Gerrard, but the energy fit in more with what Rodgers wants from his midfield and it worked brilliantly. I'm still thinking that a win at City isn't a complete write off yet.
I'd rather make Johnson compete for his place than replace him. If the replacement doesn't work out you're screwed. His wages might be a problem to keep him if not guaranteed a start but a replacement needs to be a very good transfer like with Mignolet for Reina. Best case would be a new quality RB in January, let them compete and settle until next season, then sell Johnson if it makes sense.
I agree with the OP on Johnson. I genuinely feel he is crucial to how we play and we seriously miss him when he isn't there. His marauding runs down the right are so effective when Suarez and Coutinho are pulling people all round the centre. Without him we are far too central and we struggle to switch the play round. I would be sad to see him go.
We only missed Johnson so much is because we had no one else who could play there. He is the best of a bad bunch. On mega wages, injury prone, prone to lapses in concentration and has been poor at both ends of the pitch this season and the latter part of last season. He is playing like a man who is expecting a pay cut.
