Gerrard, Aquilani & Midfield functionality.
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[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974834#msg974834 date=1256902356]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=36825.msg974693#msg974693 date=1256878419]
How many people really have a fucking clue about Aquilani? I'm completely willing to admit I don't.
There are probably a couple people on here who might have some factual basis for thinking he is a good player, the rest of it is founded on:
1) The sublime expectation of happiness that is happiness itself
2) Hope
3) Rising expectation caused by having to wait for him to play
4) Rising expectation caused by having to watch a substandard midfield play
5) His price tag
6) Youtube
And that's about it.
[/quote]
Mine is more like
7) I dont want to think about the consequences if he turned out to be a flop. So I have convinced myself he is going to be a superstar.
On a more serious note, I did watch one game he played couple of years ago and he was class. I dont know why but I have a feeling he will be like Torres. Not able to achieve his true potential in Serie A due to various causes - injuries, training regime, bad management etc. However, once he gets a change of air, he will "break free".
Again nothing more than gut feeling and hope mate.
How many people really have a fucking clue about Aquilani? I'm completely willing to admit I don't.
There are probably a couple people on here who might have some factual basis for thinking he is a good player, the rest of it is founded on:
1) The sublime expectation of happiness that is happiness itself
2) Hope
3) Rising expectation caused by having to wait for him to play
4) Rising expectation caused by having to watch a substandard midfield play
5) His price tag
6) Youtube
And that's about it.
[/quote]
Mine is more like
7) I dont want to think about the consequences if he turned out to be a flop. So I have convinced myself he is going to be a superstar.
On a more serious note, I did watch one game he played couple of years ago and he was class. I dont know why but I have a feeling he will be like Torres. Not able to achieve his true potential in Serie A due to various causes - injuries, training regime, bad management etc. However, once he gets a change of air, he will "break free".
Again nothing more than gut feeling and hope mate.
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36825.msg974850#msg974850 date=1256904404]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974834#msg974834 date=1256902356]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[/quote]
how much would a quality right midfielder cost?
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974834#msg974834 date=1256902356]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[/quote]
how much would a quality right midfielder cost?
We'll be fine.....he'll play where alonso did and make late runs and be a bit more attacking. No point comparing him to lampard and saying that him and gerrard cant play together, because he's not lampard and he'll play where Rafa tells him to play in 'the system'!!
He'll be Awesome!!
He'll be Awesome!!
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974858#msg974858 date=1256906151]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36825.msg974850#msg974850 date=1256904404]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974834#msg974834 date=1256902356]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[/quote]
how much would a quality right midfielder cost?
[/quote]
Well, we need a left midfielder, but anyway... the figure mentioned for Mata is £16.5m, isn't it?
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=36825.msg974850#msg974850 date=1256904404]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974834#msg974834 date=1256902356]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=36825.msg974831#msg974831 date=1256902194]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974824#msg974824 date=1256900524]
yossi drifting inside isn't an issue if you have a quality fullback to fill the gap he leaves. the same as kuyt who has the excellent johnson behind him.
[/quote]
And then you get people complaining about fullbacks getting caught out of position.
If you're going to have your fullbacks compensating for the lack of width provided by attacking midfielders who like to cut inside, you need a team that can a) keep possession and b) defend competently when people get caught out of position. This season we've failed miserably on both counts and it's something that needs to improve quickly.
Against Zaragoza last weekend, Barca adopted similar tactics to those used by Chelsea last season. When they started to move the ball up the field, the fullbacks would move right up, the centre-backs pulled wide and Busquets would drop deep to act almost as a third centre-back. This was probably aimed at breaking the opposition down more than anything, but maybe some form adaption would help us find a better balance between attack and defence.
Either way, we need to start by improving our possession otherwise we'll struggle no matter what system we use.
[/quote]
hey I've toned down my 'attacking fullbacks' talk 😉
I'm purely mentioning fullbacks now because of cost, I think we'll be able to purchase a quality fullback far more easily than a quality left midfielder.
[/quote]
£17m for Johnson would suggest otherwise.
[/quote]
how much would a quality right midfielder cost?
[/quote]
Well, we need a left midfielder, but anyway... the figure mentioned for Mata is £16.5m, isn't it?
S
Squiggles
Guest
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36825.msg974711#msg974711 date=1256890329]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974709#msg974709 date=1256890016]
I don't think you will ever see gerrard partnering aqualini at CM. seriously, who holds? both with have attacking instincts and wil thus want to get forwards when the oppertunity presents itself.
aqualini in CM (if mash leaves you buy another defensive midfielder) gerrard as a forward and yossi, hmm I don't know, maybe a free role (that's pretty much how he plays anyway).
I will also add you often hear we only have one quality striker, well technically if gerrard plays as a forward the majority of the time we have two.
[/quote]
The one stirker thing is a bit of a myth, we function much of the time with a fluid, versatile front line, where Kuyt can come inside and win the ball in the air and generally harry the opposition, or he can do that outwide. While Gerrard has licence to roam and probe and offer that direct threat and a link to the other front players, and then on the left we have someone like Riera offering balance and width. Add Yossi into the mix for some direct running and link up play, and you can see we clearly operate with players being given licence to offer different things in attack, providing variation to the side.
Torres, as we well know, thrives on space, so this suits him perfectly. Occasionally he can be isolated and we can lack bodies in the box, but over the last 12 months we've definitely seen us heading in the right direction regards good, varied, attacking play.
[/quote]
That's bang on, and is a large factor of why I'm still largely behind Benitez. If we were still playing under his cautious approach it could well be different. That probably makes me sound a bit of an Arsenal fan but that's not the case. People say 'good teams are built from the back' and they're right. But in a league where 80% teams spend a large proportion of the game sitting back - although admittedly not so much this season - you really have to question that.
Basically if we weren't going all out to win games when we were level, I'm not sure I'd still be so behind the manager.
Buying a more attack minded midfielder after the departure of Alonso when he quite easily could have bought another holding player, or even gone more defensive, shows a signal of intent.
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36825.msg974709#msg974709 date=1256890016]
I don't think you will ever see gerrard partnering aqualini at CM. seriously, who holds? both with have attacking instincts and wil thus want to get forwards when the oppertunity presents itself.
aqualini in CM (if mash leaves you buy another defensive midfielder) gerrard as a forward and yossi, hmm I don't know, maybe a free role (that's pretty much how he plays anyway).
I will also add you often hear we only have one quality striker, well technically if gerrard plays as a forward the majority of the time we have two.
[/quote]
The one stirker thing is a bit of a myth, we function much of the time with a fluid, versatile front line, where Kuyt can come inside and win the ball in the air and generally harry the opposition, or he can do that outwide. While Gerrard has licence to roam and probe and offer that direct threat and a link to the other front players, and then on the left we have someone like Riera offering balance and width. Add Yossi into the mix for some direct running and link up play, and you can see we clearly operate with players being given licence to offer different things in attack, providing variation to the side.
Torres, as we well know, thrives on space, so this suits him perfectly. Occasionally he can be isolated and we can lack bodies in the box, but over the last 12 months we've definitely seen us heading in the right direction regards good, varied, attacking play.
[/quote]
That's bang on, and is a large factor of why I'm still largely behind Benitez. If we were still playing under his cautious approach it could well be different. That probably makes me sound a bit of an Arsenal fan but that's not the case. People say 'good teams are built from the back' and they're right. But in a league where 80% teams spend a large proportion of the game sitting back - although admittedly not so much this season - you really have to question that.
Basically if we weren't going all out to win games when we were level, I'm not sure I'd still be so behind the manager.
Buying a more attack minded midfielder after the departure of Alonso when he quite easily could have bought another holding player, or even gone more defensive, shows a signal of intent.
With Aquilani in the side, I expect us to score more goals. The lad can pick out a pass and can shoot so our attacking play and creativity should move up a notch. I see no problem with him playing behind Gerrard. Add Yossi to the mix and our potential suddenly looks scary.
[quote author=RolandG link=topic=36825.msg974995#msg974995 date=1256920409]
With Aquilani in the side, I expect us to score more goals. The lad can pick out a pass and can shoot so our attacking play and creativity should move up a notch.[/quote]
Alonso could do that. Is this guy better?
With Aquilani in the side, I expect us to score more goals. The lad can pick out a pass and can shoot so our attacking play and creativity should move up a notch.[/quote]
Alonso could do that. Is this guy better?
[quote author=Bradleme link=topic=36825.msg975011#msg975011 date=1256921100]
Alonso did do all that, but Alonso goals were few and far between.
[/quote]
So, this guys going to score loads of goals, yeah?
Someone else mentioned Lampard i.e. 20 a season, that'd be good.
Alonso did do all that, but Alonso goals were few and far between.
[/quote]
So, this guys going to score loads of goals, yeah?
Someone else mentioned Lampard i.e. 20 a season, that'd be good.
Rafa himself said that Aquilani is more mobile and will get forward more often to support play. So I would rather give the lad a chance toi settle in. He will probably get more game time now that Gerrard seems to be injured more often. He'll have to step into the breach and quickly.
Hard to tell if he'll be in amongst the goals.
In the youtube comps he seems to have an eye for goal.........that said when you take the highlights of me running around in my plimsoles and tight shorts during PE at school you might also come to the conclusion that I had an eye for goal.
In the youtube comps he seems to have an eye for goal.........that said when you take the highlights of me running around in my plimsoles and tight shorts during PE at school you might also come to the conclusion that I had an eye for goal.
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=36825.msg975013#msg975013 date=1256921323]
[quote author=Bradleme link=topic=36825.msg975011#msg975011 date=1256921100]
Alonso did do all that, but Alonso goals were few and far between.
[/quote]
So, this guys going to score loads of goals, yeah?
Someone else mentioned Lampard i.e. 20 a season, that'd be good.
[/quote]
Understatement of the century. If he gets 20 goals per season, there will be jizz fests organized in his honor by LFC fan clubs throughout the world.
[quote author=Bradleme link=topic=36825.msg975011#msg975011 date=1256921100]
Alonso did do all that, but Alonso goals were few and far between.
[/quote]
So, this guys going to score loads of goals, yeah?
Someone else mentioned Lampard i.e. 20 a season, that'd be good.
[/quote]
Understatement of the century. If he gets 20 goals per season, there will be jizz fests organized in his honor by LFC fan clubs throughout the world.
S
Squiggles
Guest
Xabi Alonso and Aquilani both have averaged 1 goal in 10 throughout their career.
What he'll being is more direct/meaningful assists.
What he'll being is more direct/meaningful assists.
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