The Central Midfield Conundrum

[Sunny]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=40796.msg1128863#msg1128863 date=1277908559]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40796.msg1128858#msg1128858 date=1277908153]
Agreed. He's effective when he joins the attack too.
[/quote]

That's what really impressed me. He was very solid defensively but he seemed to make excellent runs in every game - including a very good goal against Slovenia.

He'd still be reasonably cheap and he's, imo, a player who could really improve in our setup.
[/quote]

Yeh he looked OK. Sad when we're looking at players like him though....

 

[RolandG]

No conundrum for me! Gerrard should play in midfield and partner Aquilani. Sell Lucas! Buy another striker to partner Torres. Maybe then Torres won't get injured so often if he has someone sharing the workload.

We're skint and Henry is available. We could use him for at least a season. By then the 2 Americans should be gone. He'd be miles better than any cover we currently have for Torres!

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=40796.msg1128890#msg1128890 date=1277911513]
No conundrum for me! Gerrard should play in midfield and partner Aquilani. Sell Lucas! Buy another striker to partner Torres. Maybe then Torres won't get injured so often if he has someone sharing the workload.

We're skint and Henry is available. We could use him for at least a season. By then the 2 Americans should be gone. He'd be miles better than any cover we currently have for Torres!

[/quote]

Gerrard and Aquilani, without a DM, would be a terrible partnership, there'd be holes all over place.

 

[manwithnoname]

Gerrard and Aquilani, without a DM, would be a terrible partnership, there'd be holes all over place.

I think (hope) he is advocating a Masher-type player behind them.

Otherwise he is a mental.

EDIT: He is a mental

 

[RolandG]

Gerrard can certainly do a Xabi like job. He is a ferocious tackler when he needs to be and has an eye for a pass or am I missing something?

He is much more mobile than Mascherano and will still be able to get forward. That would prolong his career when he loses a yard or two of pace!

 

[Judge Jules]

While it's true that Gerrard can tackle and pass with the best of them, he is not suited to playing deep. GH tried it and it didn't work because Gerrard was forever bombing forward. Someone has to sit deep and cover the gaps he'll always leave.

Last season we had the perfect player to do that in Masher and, if only Rafa hadn't been too stubborn to implement the idea, Gerrard and Masher in CM could have torn up the Prem between them and we'd certainly have got back into the CL. Now that Masher seems to be on his way, trying to make Gerrard sit deep would be an even worse idea, because there's nobody - nobody - in world football who would cover for him so well.

 

[Buddha]

We'll doubtless be in for the Honda lad this summer. Very good player who'd make us a fortune in the far east. I can see H&G rubbing their hands at the prospect.

Where would he slot in?

 

[Judge Jules]

Left mid?

 

[Buddha]

-----------------------Reina-----------------------

Johnson--------Hangeland------Agger------------Perreira

---------------------------Cambiasso-----------------------

-------------Gerrard--------------------Aquilani ----------

Kuyt/Honda-------------------------------------------Turan/Jova

----------------------------Torres---------------------------


I'm pretty sure Hodgson will be in for Hangeland and will want to play someone mobile alongside him. Cambiasso plus cash for Masher will give us enough to get a 7m left-back in plus have some left over. He'll sell Riera and put the money towards Turan for 12m (he's said numerous occasions he wants to come here). Honda (for footballing and commercial reasons) in with the Benayoun money.

 

[peekay]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40796.msg1128905#msg1128905 date=1277913011]
We'll doubtless be in for the Honda lad this summer. Very good player who'd make us a fortune in the far east. I can see H&G rubbing their hands at the prospect.

Where would he slot in?
[/quote]

He will be an automatic starter for his set piece ability alone. Japan and Korea seem to have a number of pacy, technically good players who could do a job for us.

Agree with LTW on Bradley. He scored 5 goals in 28 games in the Bundesliga - not a bad return for a DM.

 

[dmishra]

I have a feeling Hodgson will take a look at young English players and thus have a feeling that we might make a bid for Mark Noble. I'd be very happy with him replacing Lucas and playing alongside Mascherano. However, with there being a distinct possibility of both Gerrard and Mascherano leaving, god knows what our starting CM line-up will be.

 

[The Slugmonster]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40796.msg1128905#msg1128905 date=1277913011]
We'll doubtless be in for the Honda lad this summer. Very good player who'd make us a fortune in the far east. I can see H&G rubbing their hands at the prospect.

Where would he slot in?
[/quote]

Unless the number 50 comes after that Honda i doubt we have the cash for it!

 

[RolandG]

Judge, I would think that Gerrard is more mature now and his technicak understanding of the game has improved immensely. At least Roy won't be fitting square pegs in round holes. At the very least performances and confidence will improve with the lads playing in their preferred positions.

 

[keniget]

The best way for us to solve our midfield issues (without selling everyone and starting again) is to play 4-3-3 as many suggested last season.

Cambiasso would be a decent bet as long as we don't get involved in any exchange + cash deal that would see us get fucked.


- Jovovanic --- Torres --- Kuyt / Maxi
--------- Gerrard --- Aquilani
-------------- Cambiasso

Providing we sort out our left flank, that has the potential to be a decent side. Maybe this Jonjo kid will actually get a few games and impress. That'd be a nice bonus no-one is expecting.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=40796.msg1128987#msg1128987 date=1277927498]
The best way for us to solve our midfield issues (without selling everyone and starting again) is to play 4-3-3 as many suggested last season.

Cambiasso would be a decent bet as long as we don't get involved in any exchange + cash deal that would see us get fucked.


- Jovovanic --- Torres --- Kuyt / Maxi
--------- Gerrard --- Aquilani
-------------- Cambiasso

Providing we sort out our left flank, that has the potential to be a decent side. Maybe this Jonjo kid will actually get a few games and impress. That'd be a nice bonus no-one is expecting.
[/quote]

The little I've seen of him, I thought he looked a different class to what was around him, he oozed natural ability and awareness, and his passing is really good. I'm still convinced Dalglish had a big hand in the two recent English signings and the chasing of Danny Wilson.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=40796.msg1129003#msg1129003 date=1277932035]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=40796.msg1128987#msg1128987 date=1277927498]
The best way for us to solve our midfield issues (without selling everyone and starting again) is to play 4-3-3 as many suggested last season.

Cambiasso would be a decent bet as long as we don't get involved in any exchange + cash deal that would see us get fucked.


- Jovovanic --- Torres --- Kuyt / Maxi
--------- Gerrard --- Aquilani
-------------- Cambiasso

Providing we sort out our left flank, that has the potential to be a decent side. Maybe this Jonjo kid will actually get a few games and impress. That'd be a nice bonus no-one is expecting.
[/quote]

The little I've seen of him, I thought he looked a different class to what was around him, he oozed natural ability and awareness, and his passing is really good. I'm still convinced Dalglish had a big hand in the two recent English signings and the chasing of Danny Wilson.
[/quote]

Definitely.

The change in approach was so clear-cut and Rafa would have been a lame duck at that point.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Who's the other English signing besides Shelvey?

 

[Cerberus]

Raheem Sterling?

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Cerberus link=topic=40796.msg1129006#msg1129006 date=1277932511]
Raheem Sterling?
[/quote]

Yep.

Just found this (from May), thought it was interesting:

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson Jonjo Shelvey can become the 'new' Steven Gerrard.

Shelvey finalised a move to Anfield this week, with Liverpool agreeing an initial £1.7million deal for the 18-year-old.

The deal means Shelvey will not play for Charlton again, as they do not want injury to scupper the deal and Parkinson insists it is a great move for the Addicks youngster.

"It has been well documented that his idol is Gerrard," said Parkinson.

"Jonjo called me on Wednesday to tell me he'd had lunch with him and Jamie Carragher at Liverpool's training ground.

"It is a dream move for him - a storybook transfer. But his aim is to become Gerrard's long-term replacement. Can he do it? Well, he has the potential.

"It is a gamble for them because he's young but it's worth taking for the money."

 

[SaintGeorge67]

I really want us to sign Danny Wilson. I hope it still happens.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=40796.msg1129009#msg1129009 date=1277932612]
I really want us to sign Danny Wilson. I hope it still happens.
[/quote]

I've never seen him play, is he as good as reported?

 

[SaintGeorge67]

From what I've seen (albeit not a huge amount) he seems like he could be quite something. Fuck all these expensive world cup defenders. Sign him.

 

[keniget]

Why was / is Kenny the driving force behind these transfers?

We were in the market for talented young British players under Rafa also.

 

[FreshRed]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=40796.msg1128853#msg1128853 date=1277907644]
If we're low on money, I'd sign the Yank DM (Bradley). He looked very capable.
[/quote]

He's not a DM. He's more like a Gerrard player. He can play box-to-box and is at his best when he passes and moves - like Gerrard. You want your DM to pass and NOT move - stay home.

 

[SummerOnions]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=40796.msg1129014#msg1129014 date=1277932981]
Why was / is Kenny the driving force behind these transfers?

We were in the market for talented young British players under Rafa also.
[/quote]

i thought as the youth ambassador that was his job role? May be wrong.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Sorted bruv...

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=40796.msg1129116#msg1129116 date=1277971097]
Sorted bruv...

[/quote]

*breaks into cold sweat*

 

[Holle]

[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=40796.msg1129116#msg1129116 date=1277971097]
Sorted bruv...

[/quote]

'Hey, Alberto. To think we'll play together this season gives me wood, you know!'

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=Doped White Mouse link=topic=40796.msg1129161#msg1129161 date=1277976454]
[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=40796.msg1129116#msg1129116 date=1277971097]
Sorted bruv...

[/quote]

'Hey, Alberto. To think we'll play together this season gives me wood, you know!'
[/quote]Poor the lucas and his tiny insignificant boner.

 

[Holle]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=40796.msg1129166#msg1129166 date=1277976710]
[quote author=Doped White Mouse link=topic=40796.msg1129161#msg1129161 date=1277976454]
[quote author=Stulikesdrums link=topic=40796.msg1129116#msg1129116 date=1277971097]
Sorted bruv...

[/quote]

'Hey, Alberto. To think we'll play together this season gives me wood, you know!'
[/quote]Poor the lucas and his tiny insignificant boner.
[/quote]

But he looks proud nevertheless.