Gerrard the center midfielder..

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Anita link=topic=34725.msg906263#msg906263 date=1247665969]
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=34725.msg906259#msg906259 date=1247665678]
Liverpool will be installed as the favourites to sign Aston Villa winger Ashley Young if Xabi Alonso is sold to Real Madrid.

That move is looking increasingly likely as the Spain international is keen on a switch to the Bernabeu and a £27million deal could be concluded by the end of the week.

Liverpool are keen on Stewart Downing but consider Young to be an upgrade of the Middlesbrough winger.


Hmm..

[/quote]

My head would explode if that happened.

I'd be over the moon if we signed Young.
[/quote]

Me too. Have him before Silva any day of the week.

 

[Whitey85]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=34725.msg906260#msg906260 date=1247665704]
[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=34725.msg906256#msg906256 date=1247665539]
Well ive just checked a few bookmakers for latest premiership odds and they have us as 3rd favourites as far as i can see. So maybe my claim that a team starting with Lucas at centre mid instead of Alonso would finish 3rd or 4th is not being unrealistic.
[/quote]

Why? Because the bookies say so?
Have some fucking faith man.
Believe.
[/quote]

No, bias aside we have the 3rd or 4th strongest squad in the league. We're catching the top 2 in terms of squad depth but aren't quite there yet and probably never will because we can't fork out the extra £30m a year on wages like they can. I want to believe but im going to wait until ours and other clubs transfer business is finished for the summer. We can do it but we're going to need much better luck on the injury front.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=34725.msg906267#msg906267 date=1247666083]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=34725.msg906260#msg906260 date=1247665704]
[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=34725.msg906256#msg906256 date=1247665539]
Well ive just checked a few bookmakers for latest premiership odds and they have us as 3rd favourites as far as i can see. So maybe my claim that a team starting with Lucas at centre mid instead of Alonso would finish 3rd or 4th is not being unrealistic.
[/quote]

Why? Because the bookies say so?
Have some fucking faith man.
Believe.
[/quote]

No, bias aside we have the 3rd or 4th strongest squad in the league. We're catching the top 2 in terms of squad depth but aren't quite there yet and probably never will because we can't fork out the extra £30m a year on wages like they can. I want to believe but im going to wait until ours and other clubs transfer business is finished for the summer. We can do it but we're going to need much better luck on the injury front.
[/quote]

What has changed between the last day of the season and now to make us the 3rd strongest squad?
We have added an international class full back with Premiership experience and have lost none of our top players. How does that demote us? We have improved and United have stepped back, the gap is a lot closer to 1st in my eyes.

 

[spider-Neil]

fucking if young joined I'd have a new favorite player 😀

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=34725.msg906299#msg906299 date=1247667315]
[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=34725.msg906267#msg906267 date=1247666083]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=34725.msg906260#msg906260 date=1247665704]
[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=34725.msg906256#msg906256 date=1247665539]
Well ive just checked a few bookmakers for latest premiership odds and they have us as 3rd favourites as far as i can see. So maybe my claim that a team starting with Lucas at centre mid instead of Alonso would finish 3rd or 4th is not being unrealistic.
[/quote]

Why? Because the bookies say so?
Have some fucking faith man.
Believe.
[/quote]

No, bias aside we have the 3rd or 4th strongest squad in the league. We're catching the top 2 in terms of squad depth but aren't quite there yet and probably never will because we can't fork out the extra £30m a year on wages like they can. I want to believe but im going to wait until ours and other clubs transfer business is finished for the summer. We can do it but we're going to need much better luck on the injury front.
[/quote]

What has changed between the last day of the season and now to make us the 3rd strongest squad?
We have added an international class full back with Premiership experience and have lost none of our top players. How does that demote us? We have improved and United have stepped back, the gap is a lot closer to 1st in my eyes.
[/quote]

I think now that United have lost Ronaldo, we're there or there abouts with having the best 'team', we've probably got the most settled side now (give or take Alonso). I think where we fall short is still with squad depth and that someone who can be a bit of a maverick in tight games.

 

[SummerOnions]

Martinez please.

 

[mark1975]

I hate the idea of Gerrard back in centre mid, we'd basically be breaking up the key attacking area of the side. Taking him away from Torres, deeper, will effect both of their games.

Not to mention the fact he's knocking on a bit now and doesn't need to be doing so much donkey work.

 

[Squiggles]

I think pushing Gerrard back could prove to be a necessary evil. It's not something I'm strongly advocating, but I can see the logic and reasoning behind it. Remember when 99% of people were pleading for him to be played at CM?

Now Torres is here, I think he'd still score a shit-load of goals, and would/should have a similar licence to roam against the smaller teams.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34725.msg906490#msg906490 date=1247678785]
I think pushing Gerrard back could prove to be a necessary evil. It's not something I'm strongly advocating, but I can see the logic and reasoning behind it. Remember when 99% of people were pleading for him to be played at CM?

Now Torres is here, I think he'd still score a shit-load of goals, and would/should have a similar licence to roam against the smaller teams.



[/quote]

I don't think it's unusable, against the lesser sides, particularly at Anfield.. but generally I'd like to see him more advanced. It's definitely how we've gotten the best out of him in recent years, or a big factor anyway.

 

[Squiggles]

I'm not sure which way Benitez will play it - both have their merits.

But I think half of Gerrard's improvement is down to the quality and movement of Fernando Torres, and not just his more advanced positioning. 

 

[keniget]

Gerrard has linked very well with Torres from midfield as well.