Deadwood

[Mistadobalina]

At the end of last season, like a lot of supporters, I thought the squad maybe required some slight fine tuning. I figured maybe 2 or 3 quality additions and we would be good to push on for number 19.

How wrong I was!

If the injury crisis has proved anything to me its that the squad is full of deadwood that needs to be cast adrift asap. It reminds me of Houlliers days when the squad was cluttered up and we couldnt shift the shite because of the crazy wages they were on.

For me there are about 8 or 9 squad players that have proved themselves not good enough to wear the red jersey. I am not too bothered about selling for a loss as id rather have a small squad of quality and promote kids than a large squad of dross.

I think these players are not up to it and dont let the door hit your asre on the way out!...

Voronin
Dossena
Lucas
Aurelio
Babel
Degen
Pleiss
El Zhar

And that we are probably 4 players short in the shape of a CF, Winger, LB and a CM for a fully functioning squad.

So - Do you think we need a massive clear out and complete over haul of the squad, or is it just a case of bad luck with too many 1st teamers injured and under performing?

 

[Squiggles]

But we don't have "a large squad of dross".

We have a very small squad with some quite brilliant players, but then some equally poor ones.

The problem is, for each of the 'deadwood' we get rid of, we would need a decent(ish) replacement on a much, much smaller budget than the original players were signed for. Challenging times lie ahead for Benitez.

 

[Ryan]

I definitely think Rafa will want to get rid of the likes of Voronin, Degen, El Zhar, Dossena and maybe one or two others.

But we're not really in a position to be culling the squad, and then going out and buying half a dozen replacements. The afore-mentioned jokers wouldn't even fetch a bag of shiny stones, so it means that the likes of Aurelio, Lucas, Spearing, Kygriakos et al will probably stick around.

 

[Karl Hungus]

I would say both. I think we need a massive clear out, but I would not say an overhaul. The majority of the names you mentioned are only playing because of the injuries, so we need to replace them with better players.

But here lies more problems, sure we can bring in players better than those you mentioned, but they will cost money, and the will be riding the pine a lot of the time, so is it worth it, and will a player that "good", want to come here and wait for someone to get injured.

I would say the players listed are okay to fill in as needed, but since we have so many injuries all over the place, they are taking up the entire starting 11, and that is a recipe for disaster.

My only real concern throughout this is that Rafa has not given the kids more of a chance during this injury crisis. I mean they may not change things, but they can't be any worse than some of the clown we currently field, and would gain some great experience.

 

[Mistadobalina]

But how much would selling the above fetch?

Must be enough for 2 decent players maybe? Then it would be down to Benitez to really prove his worth with a couple of shrewd Gary Mac-like signings.

Better than having players who have proved themselves not good enough wind down their big contracts get rid now before its too late.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Mistadobalina link=topic=37162.msg987602#msg987602 date=1258073064]

Better than having players who have proved themselves not good enough wind down their big contracts get rid now before its too late.
[/quote]

Easier said than done though.

Rafa would gladly have offed Voronin, Babel and Degen last summer but nobody wanted them.

 

[Squiggles]

Valuations:

Babel: £5M
El Zhar £1M
Dossena £3M
Insua £3M
Voronin £3M
Plessis - Free
Degen - Free

And we'll only manage to shift half of them if we're lucky.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987606#msg987606 date=1258073327]
Valuations:

Babel: £5M
El Zhar £1M
Dossena £3M
Insua £3M
Voronin £3M
Plessis - Free
Degen - Free

And we'll only manage to shift half of them if we're lucky.
[/quote]

Insua won't be sold, and there's more chance of getting 3m for Sammy fucking Lee than there is of getting that for Voronin.

 

[refugee]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987606#msg987606 date=1258073327]
Valuations:

Babel: £5M
El Zhar £1M
Dossena £3M
Insua £3M
Voronin £3M
Plessis - Free
Degen - Free

And we'll only manage to shift half of them if we're lucky.
[/quote]

Plessis signed a new contract very recently, I doubt he will go anywhere

 

[Squiggles]

Christ

 

[Karl Hungus]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987613#msg987613 date=1258074150]
Christ
[/quote]

We should sign Him.

 

[themn]

There's been some very good comedy in this thread- thank you all.

And, no, I'm not being sarcastic.

 

[Atlas]

[quote author=refugee link=topic=37162.msg987611#msg987611 date=1258073856]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987606#msg987606 date=1258073327]
Valuations:

Babel: £5M
El Zhar £1M
Dossena £3M
Insua £3M
Voronin £3M
Plessis - Free
Degen - Free

And we'll only manage to shift half of them if we're lucky.
[/quote]

Plessis signed a new contract very recently, I doubt he will go anywhere
[/quote]

I hope it's just to increase his value, i'm sure Sissoko signed a new contract before being sold

 

[Mistadobalina]

[quote author=Karl Hungus link=topic=37162.msg987618#msg987618 date=1258074456]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987613#msg987613 date=1258074150]
Christ
[/quote]

We should sign Him.
[/quote]

Will always 'take one for the team' that boy, but he ends up getting crucified for it.

hmm Vishnu would make a good goalie.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Karl Hungus link=topic=37162.msg987618#msg987618 date=1258074456]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987613#msg987613 date=1258074150]
Christ
[/quote]

We should sign Him.
[/quote]

I've heard it's a nailed-on (<------ Brilliant) certainty.

 

[MaBigTip]

I'd keep Aurelio and Degen, but the rest I'd let go. Degen really impressed me last two times he got on the pitch.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Assulin link=topic=37162.msg987639#msg987639 date=1258079126]
I'd keep Aurelio and Degen, but the rest I'd let go. Degen really impressed me last two times he got on the pitch.
[/quote]

Why, because he actually managed to get on the fucking pitch?

 

[Mistadobalina]

[quote author=Assulin link=topic=37162.msg987639#msg987639 date=1258079126]
I'd keep Aurelio and Degen, but the rest I'd let go. Degen really impressed me last two times he got on the pitch.
[/quote]

Yes I like Aurelio but hes just not reliable enough because of his weak legs.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=37162.msg987606#msg987606 date=1258073327]
Valuations:

Babel: £5M
El Zhar £1M
Dossena £3M
Insua £3M
Voronin £3M
Plessis - Free
Degen - Free

And we'll only manage to shift half of them if we're lucky.
[/quote]

Why do we need to sell our best left fullback for?? And keep fucking Aurelio? ? Idiot!

 

[dossena]

I'd sell Skrtel and buy a centre back who is good in the air. We should've really bought Turner.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=dossena link=topic=37162.msg987650#msg987650 date=1258080923]
I'd sell Skrtel and buy a centre back who is good in the air. We should've really bought Turner.
[/quote]

Michael Turner is a good player but too expensive. We should've bought Kjaer. Had we had a decent manager with a clue this summer we'd have a back 4 of something along the lines of Arbeloa-Kjaer-Agger-Insua. We clearly needed a new CB because as i've been saying for months and months, Martin Skrtel is as good as he's going to get. He's a low ceiling player. And while he's an excellent back-up to have, he'll never be the dominant player we need beside the cultured Agger. Kjaer is on another level to Skrtel and could have been gotten at the right price this summer. Kjaer-Agger are immense together.

Arbeloa could have held down the RB spot for a year or two til Kelly is ready to play every week and Insua and Aurelio have the left side covered.

 

[Ryan]

I've no idea where this recent 'Skrtel is shit' trend has come from. He's a very good defender, and we're lucky to have him. He'll be paying for us for years to come.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Seeing the title of the thread, I thought it was comparing the amount of profanity in the HBO show 'Deadwood' to the amount I spew when watching us this year.

Then I read the thread and shrugged and thought "yeah, that too."

 

[zlatan18]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=37162.msg987654#msg987654 date=1258082180]
I've no idea where this recent 'Skrtel is shit' trend has come from. He's a very good defender, and we're lucky to have him. He'll be paying for us for years to come.
[/quote]


Agreed. Skrtel is not shit, he is just out of form atm, just like carragher was. and i agree with glock ... we should have bought kjaer.. him and agger would be immense!

- riena -
johnson - kjaer - agger - insua/aurelio

 

[Mistadobalina]

[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=37162.msg987665#msg987665 date=1258087684]
Seeing the title of the thread, I thought it was comparing the amount of profanity in the HBO show 'Deadwood' to the amount I spew when watching us this year.

Then I read the thread and shrugged and thought "yeah, that too."
[/quote]


Next thread is called 'Lovejoy', its about the love and joy you feel watching liverpool.

Not to be confused with the crime solving antiques dealer.

 

[acejmk]

[quote author=themn link=topic=37162.msg987623#msg987623 date=1258075779]
There's been some very good comedy in this thread- thank you all.

And, no, I'm not being sarcastic.
[/quote]

I agree very funny :laugh:

 

[RolandG]

Injurie have really hurt us this season simply because our squad has proved not good enough. I think from all the deadwood mentioned I would keep Aurelio only. Ayala is certainly good back up as a centre half. Push Magic further up and get in a decent right back.I think that we are 2 quality players short. A decent creative playmaker plus striker. Aurelio is much better a left back than Insua.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Degan may as well stay and play and at least put himself in the shop window.

Hopefully he does that by seasons end.

We can't afford to cull much which is a sad state of affairs.

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=Glock link=topic=37162.msg987653#msg987653 date=1258082057]
[quote author=dossena link=topic=37162.msg987650#msg987650 date=1258080923]
I'd sell Skrtel and buy a centre back who is good in the air. We should've really bought Turner.
[/quote]

Michael Turner is a good player but too expensive. We should've bought Kjaer. Had we had a decent manager with a clue this summer we'd have a back 4 of something along the lines of Arbeloa-Kjaer-Agger-Insua. We clearly needed a new CB because as i've been saying for months and months, Martin Skrtel is as good as he's going to get. He's a low ceiling player. And while he's an excellent back-up to have, he'll never be the dominant player we need beside the cultured Agger. Kjaer is on another level to Skrtel and could have been gotten at the right price this summer. Kjaer-Agger are immense together.

Arbeloa could have held down the RB spot for a year or two til Kelly is ready to play every week and Insua and Aurelio have the left side covered.
[/quote]

Er, we already have Kjaer-Agger. Except it's spelled Carragher, you nonce!

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=37162.msg987687#msg987687 date=1258093849]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=37162.msg987653#msg987653 date=1258082057]
[quote author=dossena link=topic=37162.msg987650#msg987650 date=1258080923]
I'd sell Skrtel and buy a centre back who is good in the air. We should've really bought Turner.
[/quote]

Michael Turner is a good player but too expensive. We should've bought Kjaer. Had we had a decent manager with a clue this summer we'd have a back 4 of something along the lines of Arbeloa-Kjaer-Agger-Insua. We clearly needed a new CB because as i've been saying for months and months, Martin Skrtel is as good as he's going to get. He's a low ceiling player. And while he's an excellent back-up to have, he'll never be the dominant player we need beside the cultured Agger. Kjaer is on another level to Skrtel and could have been gotten at the right price this summer. Kjaer-Agger are immense together.

Arbeloa could have held down the RB spot for a year or two til Kelly is ready to play every week and Insua and Aurelio have the left side covered.
[/quote]

Er, we already have Kjaer-Agger. Except it's spelled Carragher, you nonce!
[/quote]

Oh dear!

Keep your mouth shut you soft little muppet.