Suso and Borini

[mark1975]

I know their respective impacts have thus far been marginal, but could we not do with them in the squad right now?

The bench is defense heavy, Sterling is offering little when he comes in, Alberto looks ok though, but again isn't really one you would throw in the first team regularly. Suso is more of a like for like for Coutinho (though lesser quality I'd say), while Borini at least gives us the option of another forward and something different to what Moses isn't providing as a supporting attacker. They would at least provide two different attacking options in reserve.

Or are we really just that desperate for options? I'm not convinced at all by Moses, but then I don't think the role he's playing gets the best from him either.

 

[gkmacca]

I'd move Johnson to the left for a game or two to accommodate McLaughlin on the right, because he's got the pace and the strength to do well at senior level, and Johnson can't do any worse on the left than the most recent two there. Ibe has to be on the bench now and brought on in games like yesterday - he's fast, smart and tricky, and is way more dangerous at the moment than Sterling, who needs a long talk with Steve Peters to get his head right. Borini is desperate for games to make a claim for a World Cup place, so he won't come back to sit on the bench. I don't think Suso excels, at this stage in his career, coming on late in games. He needs to start and grow into games. I agree though that we do need a better bench.

 

[mark1975]

The frustrating thing is the options are there. I'm not saying the squad is perfect, but there are obvious tweaks that could go a long way to addressing a few current issues. Gerrard in behind the front two, and as you say, getting Ibe and McLaughlin in the thick of things.

 

[Hansern]

I dont think we'll be shifting Johnson over to the left with two left backs in the squad.
Thought Cissokho did alright considering his match fitness.

 

[gkmacca]

Yes. We need to strengthen in January, but as you say there are tweaks now that could improve the performances. I agree about Gerrard, he needs to be deployed in a more attacking role at the moment.

 

[gkmacca]

I dont think we'll be shifting Johnson over to the left with two left backs in the squad.
Thought Cissokho did alright considering his match fitness.

Enrique has been playing with an injury for about a month, so he's set for a rest. Cissokho isn't as good as Johnson on the left at the moment, IMHO.

 

[Modo]

We need a top class player in January, but by then it might already be too late.

 

[mark1975]

We need a top class player in January, but by then it might already be too late.

I don't know if it'll be "too late", but I think we might look back at a few signings and an inevitable downturn in form and see it as a moment missed (again). As far as our initial objectives go, our results so far and as said, our mentality, should put us in good stead. We need to put in a big performance against a big side, that could go a long way to instilling more belief. I just think we're heading towards a hiding from someone and that's when we'll find out where we're at, by how well the team and the manager react.

 

[Modo]

I don't know if it'll be "too late", but I think we might look back at a few signings and an inevitable downturn in form and see it as a moment missed (again). As far as our initial objectives go, our results so far and as said, our mentality, should put us in good stead. We need to put in a big performance against a big side, that could go a long way to instilling more belief. I just think we're heading towards a hiding from someone and that's when we'll find out where we're at, by how well the team and the manager react.

Another upside is that our rivals are playing in Europe and they'll definitely suffer from that.

 

[Buddha]

I'd move Johnson to the left for a game or two to accommodate McLaughlin on the right, because he's got the pace and the strength to do well at senior level, and Johnson can't do any worse on the left than the most recent two there. Ibe has to be on the bench now and brought on in games like yesterday - he's fast, smart and tricky, and is way more dangerous at the moment than Sterling, who needs a long talk with Steve Peters to get his head right. Borini is desperate for games to make a claim for a World Cup place, so he won't come back to sit on the bench. I don't think Suso excels, at this stage in his career, coming on late in games. He needs to start and grow into games. I agree though that we do need a better bench.

Macca's nailed (all of) it right there.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I'd be more effective than Borini. He's muck.

 

[jan]

The thread title sounds like a designer brand

 

[mark1975]

I'd be more effective than Borini. He's muck.

Me ma's more effective than Borini, but she won't play.

 

[Leo]

I'd have Suso back in a heartbeat he's far more suited to the Coutinho role than Moses.

Borini is shit but not near as bad as Ass spaz so all in all it wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Fabio]

ALBERTO

 

[Modo]

Suso wasn't convincing at all against Rayo Vallecano.

 

[Delinquent]

"Ass spaz". Jesus wept.

 

[Leo]

Jesus would never weep over a nickname.