Don't expect miracles.

[Stulikesdrums]

I am very excited to see Aquilani play for Liverpool. I have enjoyed reading posts from people in the know regarding him as a player and he seems to be just what we are looking for right now, a midfielder with an eye for a killer ball, who can also can kick a goal every now and again. Hopefully he has settled well in the city and at the club. I wish him every success with the club. I really do.

After our two performances this week, where our midfield was poor and over run by our opponents nearly every thread has had Aquilani's name mentioned as our saviour, the man who is going to drop into the premier league and sail through the physical aspect of it. Not only that, but he is going solve ALL our attacking deficiencies singlehandedly. When he makes his debut (hopefully in next two or three games) the expectation amongst fans everywhere is going to be ridiculous. No more so than on the internet.

I think most posters on here need to realise that it would not be completely unexpected or unusual if it took the guy a few months or 15/20 games to get a grip on the English game. The pace of it, the strength of it. It's not just a new team he has to settle into and adapt to, but his surroundings and his lifestyle too. It's a big thing to do and it has affected plenty of high(er) profile signings in the past. Some settled into the football but never got into it off the pitch and vice versa.

I fear that should Alberto not fix all of our problems there is going to be a fierce amount of doom-mongering going on. I hope the better posters amongst us have the sense to realise this and give the guy time and patience. He might need a lot of it!

 

[Squiggles]

Are we really expecting too much?

The problem is we've got an average player in Lucas who's being expecting to play a pivotal role within the side. This is a fundamental problem and not necessarily a dig at his talents - which is why the numorous 'STOP SCAPEGOATING' posts are more than annoying.

Liverpool fans generally are realistic and I don't expect "miracles" from the lad, but I've seen him play 10-12 times and I know he's capable of getting our faltering midfield functioning again. It might be a lot to ask for within our first few games from a new league, but unless Benitez starts playing Gerrard in a deeper role, there's nowhere else to put our faith right now.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

To be honest with you Squiggs, I think the general atmosphere on here about Aquilani is that he is going to be our saviour. I just think that is a little bit dangerous.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Would you rather people have no expectations of him and he becomes a Degen/Voronin?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Of couse he will take time, but for that price it is entirely right to expect him to be the bees knees, and soon.

edit: Sorry if I sound arsey, it's not aimed at you, more so at the dozens of "stating the obvious" threads knocking about.

 

[keniget]

It's hope rather than expectation.

 

[Squiggles]

Maybe but even the most expectant of fans will accept that he needs time to truly establish himself on the side.

As for the over-expectations if there are any, it's clear to see why; Benitez has been building him up since the signing, the price-tag itself and the man he's replacing, Xabi Alonso, who lets not forget, took the Premiership by storm in his first season, ditto Torres.

Seria A is completely different but talent usually prevails sooner rather than later in the classiest of players. Until he settles, though, the man to compare his performances to is Lucas Leiva. Anything better than that is a bonus.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=36285.msg957960#msg957960 date=1254750322]
Of couse he will take time, but for that price it is entirely right to expect him to be the bees knees, and soon.

edit: Sorry if I sound arsey, it's not aimed at you, more so at the dozens of "stating the obvious" threads knocking about.
[/quote]

No worries SG. I take your point. He cost a few quid and that does bring a level of expectation with it, no question about it. I think the the line is being crossed now and again with regard to what we can expect from him though. Especially in the short term.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Don't worry, he is the greatest player of all-time.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36285.msg957961#msg957961 date=1254750463]
It's hope rather than expectation.
[/quote]

True. I do think he's going to perform miracles and singlehandedly win us the league though.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=36285.msg957962#msg957962 date=1254750543]
Seria A is completely different but talent usually prevails sooner rather than later in the classiest of players. Until he settles, though, the man to compare his performances to is Lucas Leiva. Anything better than that is a bonus.
[/quote]

What is a realistic expectation to have about him? How much can we expect him to do?
For 20 million quid I would want him to be comfortably better than Lucas, in the same way Alonso was.
But can we expect him to make us tick like Alonso did last year? Can we expect him to dictate tempo in his first few appearances in this league?

The fear I have is that he comes into the side and struggles. He comes up against the established premier league midfielder (Cattermole, Stan Petrov, Barry, Fletcher) as he will in the next few weeks (hopefully) and he can't get near them. He's two yards behind everything as Lucas can be at times, what will be the reaction then?

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=36285.msg957966#msg957966 date=1254750710]
Don't worry, he is the greatest player of all-time.
[/quote]

Really? Cool.

 

[keniget]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36285.msg957968#msg957968 date=1254751152]
What is a realistic expectation to have about him? How much can we expect him to do?
For 20 million quid I would want him to be comfortably better than Lucas, in the same way Alonso was.
But can we expect him to make us tick like Alonso did last year? Can we expect him to dictate tempo in his first few appearances in this league?

The fear I have is that he comes into the side and struggles. He comes up against the established premier league midfielder (Cattermole, Stan Petrov, Barry, Fletcher) as he will in the next few weeks (hopefully) and he can't get near them. He's two yards behind everything as Lucas can be at times, what will be the reaction then?
[/quote]

We start calling him Aquicunt or something.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36285.msg957971#msg957971 date=1254751204]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36285.msg957968#msg957968 date=1254751152]
What is a realistic expectation to have about him? How much can we expect him to do?
For 20 million quid I would want him to be comfortably better than Lucas, in the same way Alonso was.
But can we expect him to make us tick like Alonso did last year? Can we expect him to dictate tempo in his first few appearances in this league?

The fear I have is that he comes into the side and struggles. He comes up against the established premier league midfielder (Cattermole, Stan Petrov, Barry, Fletcher) as he will in the next few weeks (hopefully) and he can't get near them. He's two yards behind everything as Lucas can be at times, what will be the reaction then?
[/quote]

We start calling him Aquicunt or something.
[/quote]

And lynch Oncy.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36285.msg957967#msg957967 date=1254751094]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36285.msg957961#msg957961 date=1254750463]
It's hope rather than expectation.
[/quote]
True. I do think he's going to perform miracles and singlehandedly win us the league though.
[/quote]

Did anyone say that?

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36285.msg957973#msg957973 date=1254751277]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36285.msg957967#msg957967 date=1254751094]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36285.msg957961#msg957961 date=1254750463]
It's hope rather than expectation.
[/quote]
True. I do think he's going to perform miracles and singlehandedly win us the league though.
[/quote]

Did anyone say that?
[/quote]

Yeah. Me, just then.

I'm serious. I think he's gonna be ace.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

What have you seen of him to have that opinion?

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36285.msg957968#msg957968 date=1254751152]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=36285.msg957962#msg957962 date=1254750543]
Seria A is completely different but talent usually prevails sooner rather than later in the classiest of players. Until he settles, though, the man to compare his performances to is Lucas Leiva. Anything better than that is a bonus.
[/quote]

What is a realistic expectation to have about him? How much can we expect him to do?
For 20 million quid I would want him to be comfortably better than Lucas, in the same way Alonso was.
But can we expect him to make us tick like Alonso did last year? Can we expect him to dictate tempo in his first few appearances in this league?

The fear I have is that he comes into the side and struggles. He comes up against the established premier league midfielder (Cattermole, Stan Petrov, Barry, Fletcher) as he will in the next few weeks (hopefully) and he can't get near them. He's two yards behind everything as Lucas can be at times, what will be the reaction then?

[/quote]

Initially the very least we can expect is to hold his position defensively, offer an outlet to Mascherano and use the ball more effectively than Lucas. That's basic stuff for a footballer of his talent, regardless of where you come from.

Over time we'll rightly expect more and more.

 

[Jack D Rips]

One thing he has favouring him is that he been at the club for best part of two months, so its not like he just signed yesterday. Surely he will have some idea of the system he is expected to play in?

 

[spider-Neil]

having never seen the player play but reading about his style of play I am not expecting him to perform the 'xabi' role, i.e. to drop deep and dictate the tempo of the game, he sounds more like a player who will 'play between the lines' linking the midfield and gerrard/torres. so you will have a central midfield with dedicated roles, masher-holding/aqualini-attacking. currently we have lucas and masher and both wont to play the holding midfielder.

 

[Peatcheo]

Expecting him to be better than Lucas is not really a miracle...

 

[SaintGeorge67]

A concern however is that once he's fit that should be that, forgetting that it's possible he gets injured again very soon.

This "stringent medical" stuff that he had baffles me... does that mean we usually do "half arsed medicals"?

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=36285.msg957988#msg957988 date=1254753725]
A concern however is that once he's fit that should be that, forgetting that it's possible he gets injured again very soon.

This "stringent medical" stuff that he had baffles me... does that mean we usually do "half arsed medicals"?
[/quote]

Judging by Degen, it would appear so.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Ah yes, very true 🙂

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36285.msg957975#msg957975 date=1254751850]
What have you seen of him to have that opinion?

[/quote]

Not much. It's just a feeling.

 

[Pesam]

The reason I'm excited about seeing him in the team and why I think he could transform our season is because our team is so good! Confused?

I honestly believe we have an excellent team and one which can win the league this season. The problem is that, although Rafa has strengthened our team every season, our squad is still weak in terms of numbers (not including the dross obviously).

I think that we have some great players, Torres, Mascher, Reina, Gerrard, Johnson, Kuyt, Benayoun, Agger etc but IMO we are one great player short of a League winning team and if he comes in and stays fit and we don't get any long term injuries he could be that extra little "something" that can push us onto glory.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=36285.msg957996#msg957996 date=1254754321]
The reason I'm excited about seeing him in the team and why I think he could transform our season is because our team is so good! Confused?

I honestly believe we have an excellent team and one which can win the league this season. The problem is that, although Rafa has strengthened our team every season, our squad is still weak in terms of numbers (not including the dross obviously).

I think that we have some great players, Torres, Mascher, Reina, Gerrard, Johnson, Kuyt, Benayoun, Agger etc but IMO we are one great player short of a League winning team and if he comes in and stays fit and we don't get any long term injuries he could be that extra little "something" that can push us onto glory.
[/quote]

Like you say, there's not alot wrong with our team, I think that's the frustrating thing when we see us leaking goals, it's just a case of a few tweaks and things falling into place. But that's the frustration with us under Benitez, it seems to take us an age to get our season going, but once we do we're capable of looking formidable.

Hopefully this lad will help us push on, the promising thing is he can play the Gerrard role too, so if he looks a bit over ran or lightweight, we have the option of playing him there too.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

What if he can't take corners? :-[

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=36285.msg958014#msg958014 date=1254755463]
What if he can't take corners? :-[
[/quote]

Bugger.

 

[rage]

----------------------reina---------------------
johnson---skertel/carra----agger-----aurelio
---------------------masch--------------------
--------------gerrard-------aquilani----------
----kuyt-----------------------------yossi-----
-------------------torres----------------------

if aquilani is half as good as we'd expect of a 20 million pound midfielder this formation with these players will win us more games than what we have now

he must be due a reserve game sometime soon.