Aurelio in the middle?

[dee]

Aurelio is close to a come back to training. When he's up to speed do you think he should replace Lucas or Insua?

I'd far rather see him in the centre as he can pass far more astutely than Lucas and is far more composed on the ball, thereby improving our 'tempo'.

Anyone else?

 

[spider-Neil]

insua, no question.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Dee link=topic=35623.msg937880#msg937880 date=1251970611]
Aurelio is close to a come back to training. When he's up to speed do you think he should replace Lucas or Insua?

I'd far rather see him in the centre as he can pass far more astutely than Lucas and is far more composed on the ball, thereby improving our 'tempo'.

Anyone else?
[/quote]

Not a bad suggestion as he did quite well in a few outings last Season, but mostly as cover. As a long-term solution I wouldn't bet on it though.

That said Rafa has already turned Gerrard into a second striker and Kuyt into a winger so who knows maybe Aurelio is next in line for a new position.

 

[mike2903]

Not in the middle put him on his right foot and he's clueless. Played a game there last season, cracking first half, then got figured out and was shite in the second.

 

[dee]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=35623.msg937887#msg937887 date=1251970855]
As a long-term solution I wouldn't bet on it though.
[/quote]

I was only suggesting a temporary role in CM until Aquialini is fit.

 

[dee]

[quote author=mike2903 link=topic=35623.msg937891#msg937891 date=1251970913]
Not in the middle put him on his right foot and he's clueless. Played a game there last season, cracking first half, then got figured out and was shite in the second.
[/quote]

Worse than Lucas

NB. I'm not starting a "Lucas is the worst midfielder the world has ever known" thread. I'm just of the opinion Aurelio may offer a better short term alternative to what we actually need of a Mascher partner.

 

[spider-Neil]

just having him on the pitch will improve our corners from the left and give gerrard competition for set pieces, he is also an excellent crosser of the ball from the left flank. putting him in the middle will curtail some of his attacking threat.

 

[Judge Jules]

They should at least work on it in training and see how it goes though. Lucas isn't THAT bad, but he isn't that good either and I'd far sooner stick with Insua.

 

[Mors]

Insua. BUT, if Insua is doing ok then he shouldn't be dropped - Aurelio should have to earn it. Insua is a kid and is doing enough to deserve a run in the team that could end up paying us dividends.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=35623.msg937897#msg937897 date=1251971115]
They should at least work on it in training and see how it goes though. Lucas isn't THAT bad, but he isn't that good either and I'd far sooner stick with Insua.
[/quote]

so the question is whether aurelio is better than insua at left back or lucas at CM.
Whether aurelio is better than lucas at CM is debatable but I think it's safe to say he is better than insua at left back.

 

[Judge Jules]

I don't.

 

[dee]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35623.msg937905#msg937905 date=1251971315]
so the question is whether aurelio is better than insua at left back or lucas at CM.
[/quote]

Nope, the question is which will make us a better TEAM. Aurelio at LB instead of Insua or at CM instead of Lucas.

Our problems at the moment are more to do with lack of composure and incisive passing from the centre.

 

[Squiggles]

I don't think it's a bad idea myself, in fact I posed the question about a month ago but I remember Mark saying he's too one footed to play in the middle

It 's unlikely to happen anyway. Rafa's characteristically sticking to his guns and keeping Lucas in the side, and if he were to make way, I'm certain it'd be for Gerrard.

He should come in and replace Insua

 

[keniget]

It's not something I want to see to be honest.

Aurelio played one game for us in central midfield against an awful side, we didn't look particularly good and we only won it by the skin of our teeth.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35623.msg937916#msg937916 date=1251972866]
I don't think it's a bad idea myself, in fact I posed the question about a month ago but I remember Mark saying he's too one footed to play in the middle

It 's unlikely to happen anyway. Rafa's characteristically sticking to his guns and keeping Lucas in the side, and if he were to make way, I'm certain it'd be for Gerrard.

He should come in and replace Insua
[/quote]

The biggest thing going against Insua is that Johnson is so attacking, they need to learn when to cover for the other, when one of them gets caught high up the pitch, the other needs to drop back and tuck in, we used to do it with Arbeloa all the time, he was excellent at it because it basically gave us three in the middle to avoid potential gaps, which is a problem we've had so far this season.

Personally though, I don't think Insua's done alot wrong, he's a physical lad too. Though I do like Aurelio.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

I can't see what the problem is with Insua either, he has come in and done pretty well, and defends better than Aurellio.
Aurellio is not going to come straight back in anyway it takes him ages to get back to the pace when he comes back.
I thought he did great in that midfield position, regardless of who we were playing.

regards

 

[Squiggles]

I think Insua's done alright.

But I just see him as another Steven Warnock. I don't think he's half as good as he's made out to be, nor do I see huge potential within him - just a solid Premiership footballer.

Defensively he's been fine and has made few mistakes, but over the half way line he's been pretty poor which is a shame because he's got a good cross on him. It'll improve with Riera in front of him but I'm not convinced it's enough to displace Aurelio, who had his finest year for us last term.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35623.msg937924#msg937924 date=1251973441]
I think Insua's done alright.

But I just see him as another Steven Warnock. I don't think he's half as good as he's made out to be, nor do I see huge potential within him - just a solid Premiership footballer.

Defensively he's been fine and has made few mistakes, but over the half way line he's been pretty poor which is a shame because he's got a good cross on him. It'll improve with Riera in front of him but I'm not convinced it's enough to displace Aurelio, who had his finest year for us last term.
[/quote]

I think you just hit the nail on the head with the last bit. So far he's had (for the most part) Babel or Yossi, who've both cut in and generally done little defensively.

I swear Insua and Johnson have looked like they've been playing the fullback and wide midfield berths almost singlehandedly so far.

Regards Insua, he's less spectacular than Johnson, but he's looked a good, solid capable fullback in the Arbeloa/Finnan mould. I think as time goes on he'll gain more confidence offensively. He's certainly got a good left peg and looks like he can provide good delivery and the occasional goal - He also set up Torres' goal against Villa, with a good run in beyond the defense.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35623.msg937924#msg937924 date=1251973441]
I think Insua's done alright.

But I just see him as another Steven Warnock. I don't think he's half as good as he's made out to be, nor do I see huge potential within him - just a solid Premiership footballer.

Defensively he's been fine and has made few mistakes, but over the half way line he's been pretty poor which is a shame because he's got a good cross on him. It'll improve with Riera in front of him but I'm not convinced it's enough to displace Aurelio, who had his finest year for us last term.
[/quote]
Not having a go at Warnock here but I'm of the opinion that Insua is head and shoulders ahead of him talent-wise.

 

[spider-Neil]

insua has done alright but he doesn't cross perticually well (imho) and aurelio is a much better passer of the ball and we should be filling the team with as much of this players as possible (aurelio and agger especially).

 

[paulie187]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=35623.msg937935#msg937935 date=1251973936]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35623.msg937924#msg937924 date=1251973441]
I think Insua's done alright.

But I just see him as another Steven Warnock. I don't think he's half as good as he's made out to be, nor do I see huge potential within him - just a solid Premiership footballer.

Defensively he's been fine and has made few mistakes, but over the half way line he's been pretty poor which is a shame because he's got a good cross on him. It'll improve with Riera in front of him but I'm not convinced it's enough to displace Aurelio, who had his finest year for us last term.
[/quote]
Not having a go at Warnock here but I'm of the opinion that Insua is head and shoulders ahead of him talent-wise.
[/quote]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you there, Insua has alot more ability than Warnock, and is only 20 so has plenty of improvement in him. But once Auerlio is fit, he should go straight into the team.

 

[Molbystwin]

[quote author=Dee link=topic=35623.msg937880#msg937880 date=1251970611]
Aurelio is close to a come back to training. When he's up to speed do you think he should replace Lucas or Insua?

I'd far rather see him in the centre as he can pass far more astutely than Lucas and is far more composed on the ball, thereby improving our 'tempo'.

Anyone else?
[/quote]

He did play midfied for Valencia a few times and is certainly a good enough footballer to do so... yes i like that idea.... he is made of glass however.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

It is not the worst shout I have ever heard.
It'll never happen as I'm sure Lucas will release the photographs he has of Rafa to the press if he gets dropped.

 

[ILD]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=35623.msg937918#msg937918 date=1251972971]
It's not something I want to see to be honest.

Aurelio played one game for us in central midfield against an awful side, we didn't look particularly good and we only won it by the skin of our teeth.
[/quote]

Aurelio assisted the winner I think.

Insua can't be expected to play every game at LB so getting Aurelio back will be a big big bonus for us, especially for European nights in Anfield.

 

[dee]

[quote author=ILD link=topic=35623.msg938061#msg938061 date=1251984832]
Insua can't be expected to play every game at LB so getting Aurelio back will be a big big bonus for us, especially for European nights in Anfield.
[/quote]

Dare I mention Dossena?

 

[jan]

[quote author=ILD link=topic=35623.msg938061#msg938061 date=1251984832]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=35623.msg937918#msg937918 date=1251972971]
It's not something I want to see to be honest.

Aurelio played one game for us in central midfield against an awful side, we didn't look particularly good and we only won it by the skin of our teeth.
[/quote]

Aurelio assisted the winner I think.
[/quote]

Don't know about that, but he scored from an indirect free kick.

 

[Molbystwin]

picking up on what somebody intimated earlier in the thread, it makes fuck all difference his being left footed in the middle of the park, it would be neither an advantage nor disadvantage.

I think he is generally a much much better player than Lucas and as Insua hasn´t been having a shocker I think Aurellio in the middle is not such a bad idea at all.

 

[Friend no. 2]

[quote author=ILD link=topic=35623.msg938061#msg938061 date=1251984832]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=35623.msg937918#msg937918 date=1251972971]
It's not something I want to see to be honest.

Aurelio played one game for us in central midfield against an awful side, we didn't look particularly good and we only won it by the skin of our teeth.
[/quote]

Aurelio assisted the winner I think.

Insua can't be expected to play every game at LB so getting Aurelio back will be a big big bonus for us, especially for European nights in Anfield.
[/quote]

Yossi made the assist for Torres, but Aurleio did score the first and had a very good game. I remember hearing the teamsheet and there were 6 defenders in it. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[Karl Hungus]

At this point I think left back is Insua's to lose. Insua may not be dazzling us, but he has not really hurt us either, and he is the left back of the future.

I think Aurelio is a better option than Lucas, but how would being replaced by a ledt back affect Lucas' confidence. And for those of you who say who cares about his confidence just remember Aurelio will get hurt at some point this season, and Aquilanni is not exactly injury free, so we may need Lucas down the road this seaon again in the midfield.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Insua has done very well at the back end of last season and again so far this season, so why drop him?

Posters have been moaning about the lack of youngsters coming through for ages, but now that Aurelio is nearing full fitness, the calls to drop the young lad are allready being made?

Until Insua does something to warrent being dropped, then for me he should be our LB.