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Dalglish: "Konchesky's not the best, but he is an option"

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Ryan

Ryan

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Kenny Dalglish keen to 'rebuild' Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen

• Konchesky and Poulsen have both failed to win over fans
• 'If we can get them back on side that makes the squad deeper'


Press Association guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 January 2011 09.50 GMT Article history

The Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, has admitted he has some bridges to rebuild in restoring the damaged confidence and reputations of some of the experienced members of his squad. He specifically named Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen – both much-maligned signings of his predecessor Roy Hodgson – as the ones who have suffered the most.

Konchesky has not played once in Dalglish's three matches in charge since taking over a little more than a week ago and was an unused substitute in yesterday's 2-2 draw against Everton. Poulsen made his first Premier League appearance in two months in last Wednesday's defeat at Blackpool and was omitted from the squad for the Merseyside derby as the 22-year-old Jay Spearing made a surprise start in central midfield following two months out with a broken ankle.

"We've got a couple of senior players who the supporters haven't exactly seen eye to eye with," Dalglish said. "We've got to try to rebuild them. If we can get Christian Poulsen and Paul Konchesky back on side then that makes the squad that bit deeper. Christian played very well at Blackpool and Paul will get an opportunity as well."

Of his decision to continue playing Johnson at left-back despite Konchesky and Fábio Aurélio being fit the Scot added: "We want our best players on the pitch. I don't know if he's the best option but he's an option."

After back-to-back defeats having taken over from Hodgson, Dalglish claimed his first point in the entertaining derby – his first match at Anfield for nearly 20 years as Liverpool manager. Dalglish, who once again praised his players' character, believes performances are improving after Dirk Kuyt's 68th-minute penalty earned a draw for the side.

"There is a lot we still have to analyse but really there has been a lot of positive things from the players," he said. "We were happy with the way we are playing. There is a lot of belief coming back into the players and that is great for us."

Fernando Torres also believes the team are heading in the right direction. "We are disappointed with the result but we are improving," said the striker, whose form has shown signs of an upturn since Dalglish's arrival. "The performance of the team was very good again and we are playing better. The most important thing is getting results but if we keep playing like that they will come soon."

Meanwhile Spearing believes the draw against Everton can provide impetus for both the club and his career. "This tops everything," the 22-year-old midfielder said. "In my whole career I've been aiming to play in a derby, especially at Anfield, and to get the nod was a massive boost for myself and a great moment for the family. Now I want to get a run in the team and hopefully show I'm capable of sticking around.

"We've lost games and that's not like Liverpool, we're not used to that. We need to improve that and with Kenny coming in, that's a massive boost. There's just this aura about him, he's King Kenny. For myself being a local a lad, it's a massive thing to try to prove to him that I can play."
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I'm curious as to why kenny feels a right footed defensive liability is a better option than the cultured left foot or aurelio who is decent defensively. ho hum.
 
Perhaps, like me and some others on here, he thinks the criticism of Johnson's defending has got wildly out of hand.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=43683.msg1255618#msg1255618 date=1295347419]
Perhaps, like me and some others on here, he thinks the criticism of Johnson's defending has got wildly out of hand.
[/quote]

regardless aurelio is a left footed left back and johnson is a right footed right back. the choice makes no sense, he if kenny hates cuntchesky then play aurelio, if kenny wants to squeeze johnson into the team then play johnson at right midfield.
 
Which I agree with too JJ. But given that his defending at right-back can't be any worse than at left-back, and given that Kelly's been as good defensively at left-back as he has been at right-back this season, wouldn't it make far more sense to play Kelly at left-back and Johnson at right-back given Johnson's attacking prowess on the right?
 
Or as neil says, Aurelio at left-back and Johnson on the right-wing. I really think Johnson's attacking capabilities (for a team crying out for creativity) are completely wasted at left-back.
 
Of the two options you describe, I'd prefer the former, namely Johnson and Kelly switching wings but remaining at fullback. Over the years we've seen way too many players' positions tinkered with at this club for my liking. There were always plausible reasons for trying it, but it rarely if ever ended well and I've never been one of those who are optimistic that it would work with Johnson this time either.

Overall, though, I'm a big supporter of the principle "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". For me Kelly at RB and Johnson at LB worked fine (I made them second and third respectively in the derby MOTM vote behind Meireles) and I thought both were able to attack effectively, so I'd stick with it and see how things develop.
 
[quote author=dmishra link=topic=43683.msg1255634#msg1255634 date=1295348101]
Or as neil says, Aurelio at left-back and Johnson on the right-wing. I really think Johnson's attacking capabilities (for a team crying out for creativity) are completely wasted at left-back.
[/quote]

absolutely.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=43683.msg1255645#msg1255645 date=1295348937]
Of the two options you describe, I'd prefer the former, namely Johnson and Kelly switching wings but remaining at fullback. Over the years we've seen way too many players' positions tinkered with at this club for my liking. There were always plausible reasons for trying it, but it rarely if ever ended well and I've never been one of those who are optimistic that it would work with Johnson this time either.

Overall, though, I'm a big supporter of the principle "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". For me Kelly at RB and Johnson at LB worked fine (I made them second and third respectively in the derby MOTM vote behind Meireles) and I thought both were able to attack effectively, so I'd stick with it and see how things develop.
[/quote]

Agree in general, but would make an exception for Johnson, not because Johnson is not a good full back, but because Kuyt has been dire.

If Aurelio and Kelly are both available, i'd like to see Johnson given a chance ahead of Kuyt.
 
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=43683.msg1255616#msg1255616 date=1295347303]
I'm curious as to why kenny feels a right footed defensive liability is a better option than the cultured left foot or aurelio who is decent defensively. ho hum.
[/quote]

Only a fool would make future plans that include Aurelio, who himself is unreliable to the point of being a complete liability.
 
Where does the title come from?

Its quoted too?

I doubt Kenny would ever call one of his players 'not the best'?
 
[quote author=Asbo link=topic=43683.msg1255866#msg1255866 date=1295357054]
Where does the title come from?

Its quoted too?

I doubt Kenny would ever call one of his players 'not the best'?
[/quote]

Ryan's translation of Kenny's words.
 
I was thinking about Johnson being on the left, and i reckon it makes sense to have him next to Agger than it does Skrtel, and the two next to each other seems to leak goals. Kelly is a better defender IMO and therefore is more likely to be able to help Skrtel out.
 
Kenny must rebuild Konchesky and Poulsen so we can flog them.

Can't wait to see the back of a few players.

A serious upgrade is needed.
 
I think Johnson playing there is in reference to Aurelio being made of gateaux.

The two best footballers we have on that side of the park are him and Agger, but a defence needs consistency and I'd have to consider either putting them out to stud or just shooting them both.

Mind you I forgot about Kelly then.

Imagine in bizarro world where Agger and Aurelio were always fit, and Carra was back, and we had Kelly - that would be awesome. But it's never going to happen so he has to see if Johnson can play at RB. It's not even worth keeping Agger as third choice centre half because he'll have a cold if we need him.
 
Apparently there was a meeting before the game and Konch will be a Fulham player again before the window shuts
 
[size=12pt]Paul Konchesky in talks with Fulham over move from Liverpool• Konchesky in talks to end unsuccessful Liverpool spell[/size]•

Stephen Warnock could replace 29-year-old left-back

Share Daniel Taylor guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 26 January 2011 21.59 GMT Article history
Paul Konchesky could return to Fulham after finding himself out of favour at Liverpool since the return of Kenny Dalglish as manager. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

Paul Konchesky is in talks with Fulham about rejoining the club and ending his miserable five-month spell at Liverpool as the signing who came to represent Roy Hodgson's brief and unsuccessful time at Anfield.

Konchesky left Craven Cottage in late August to become Liverpool's new left-back but his performances under Hodgson, previously his manager at Fulham, led to him being heavily criticised by the club's supporters and demoted from the team.

The 29-year-old has not played since Kenny Dalglish took over from Hodgson earlier this month and Fulham are hoping a deal can be arranged to take him back to London before Monday's transfer deadline.

Officials from the two clubs were due to hold talks about the deal before tonight's game at Anfield and, if everything goes through, Liverpool will get back in contact with Aston Villa about Stephen Warnock returning to Anfield on a loan deal for the rest of the season.

Nottingham Forest are considering whether the Konchesky deal, in turn, could enable them to take the 19-year-old Fulham left-back Matthew Briggs on loan. Chelsea have refused to let Ryan Bertrand join the Championship promotion contenders now that Patrick van Aanholt, another of Ashley Cole's understudies at Stamford Bridge, has moved to Leicester City on loan.
 
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