That's not so far off actually, though I'd say he's very rarely magnificent. But he can be good.
Ironically, he's generally a 7/10 when coming off the bench.
Just such a dull player and ultimately a shrinking violet.
Liverpool 2014/15 | WARNING: Contains strong amounts of Scouse nonsense
- Thread starter Wumminator
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Ironically, he's generally a 7/10 when coming off the bench.
Just such a dull player and ultimately a shrinking violet.
The Welsh Xavi or the Welsh Denilson?
I think he's just Welsh.
I don't think they need a winger, unless Sterling forces a move. Rodgers clearly rates Ibe and along with Lallana, Sterling, Markovic and Coutinho all being able to play that position I think they're covered.
It really depends what their vision is for next season. If they want to "just" improve on this season I think they need a top draw striker, a top level midfielder (DM ideally), a solid right back and a quality goalkeeper. That's four first team player's who would instantly replace the likes of Mignolet, Johnson, Lucas/Allen & Gerrard in their starting line-up. However I don't think that will get them into the top 4, as I believe the current top 4 will all strengthen hugely and United are very unlikely to have such a poor start.
If I were a Liverpool fan I'd be looking at more than that, I'd be looking at a proper clear out. I wouldn't be bothered if Johnson, Mignolet, Lovren, Toure, Gerrard, Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, Enrique, Lucas and possibly Allen were all let go and were replaced with 7 solid player's who'd contribute far more (goalkeeper, 2 central midfielders, 2 central defenders, a right back and a striker, with Origi also coming into the fold).
They need to do this Summer what they failed to do last Summer. Instead of buying player's with the idea that they'd merely pack out the squad, they need to be buying first team player's who will push other decent player's into a squad role; that's the best way of building a squad. You buy someone like Blind who competes with Carrick and others, rather than someone like Lambert who was never going to do anything but warm the bench.
It's a huge ask though, particularly as it is very unlikely they'll have more than £35-40m net to spend without CL Football and even getting rid of the 10 player's listed would struggle to bring in more than £40m. In short they need a perfect transfer window from Rodgers and the "committee", which given their history is a huge ask.
I think that's a very fair write up, finneh. Ideally, I'm after Paragraph #2...
Out: Gerrard, Johnson, Aspas, Lambert OR Borini
In: CDM, RB, First choice striker, Origi, GK
If we can afford to do more, then cool. If not, oh well. I don't fancy a massive overhaul. I'd keep Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, and Enrique. Lovren & Toure are good enough to be back up CBs to Skrtel/Sakho, plus it's nice to have some form of seniority in the squad. Toure just strikes me as the kinda levelheaded old fella who probably earns his pay just as much in the dressing room as he does on the pitch.
Lucas, I want him to be replaced as first choice, but not as an option. I know he's been slow since all the injury troubles (seriously, the guy will be late to his own funeral), but he's a club veteran at this point, and we'll need him for at least this coming season. Same with Enrique - plus, he's our only worthwhile cover at LB right now. Well, we do have Flanno, but one of them is always bloody injured, so we need both
Andre Wisdom could come back next season, but his time at West Brom has been shaky, to say the least. With Manquillo also providing depth at RB, I hope we send Wisdom back on loan (the kid is only 21), and invest in a quality RB. Clyne would do me, but I've no idea who we're linked with from the continent.
Out: Gerrard, Johnson, Aspas, Lambert OR Borini
In: CDM, RB, First choice striker, Origi, GK
If we can afford to do more, then cool. If not, oh well. I don't fancy a massive overhaul. I'd keep Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, and Enrique. Lovren & Toure are good enough to be back up CBs to Skrtel/Sakho, plus it's nice to have some form of seniority in the squad. Toure just strikes me as the kinda levelheaded old fella who probably earns his pay just as much in the dressing room as he does on the pitch.
Lucas, I want him to be replaced as first choice, but not as an option. I know he's been slow since all the injury troubles (seriously, the guy will be late to his own funeral), but he's a club veteran at this point, and we'll need him for at least this coming season. Same with Enrique - plus, he's our only worthwhile cover at LB right now. Well, we do have Flanno, but one of them is always bloody injured, so we need both
Andre Wisdom could come back next season, but his time at West Brom has been shaky, to say the least. With Manquillo also providing depth at RB, I hope we send Wisdom back on loan (the kid is only 21), and invest in a quality RB. Clyne would do me, but I've no idea who we're linked with from the continent.
This is from a lad on another site but I think today it's worth posting here and he won't mind me doing so. Football really doesn't matter one iota when we consider those lost, so many being just teenagers, 14, 15, 16 and upwards, just young lads and lasses in the early stages of their lives.
JFT96. Y.N.W.A.
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26 years ago today I went to a football match with my old man. He went into the main stand, I went into the Leppings Lane, just as I had done the previous year. This time though I would wake up three days later not knowing why I was in a hospital bed, not understanding why I couldn't speak or why there were Notts Forest players around my bed, or why my dad was having a long conversation with Ian St John as the Saint sat on the end of my bed.
Today I remember the 96 who never came home, but I also remember the survivors who have had to live with this horror for over two and a half decades. The young lad Gary who pulled me out of the crowd, refused to accept the copper's verdict that I was gone, and with his mates put me on an advertising hoarding and into the back of an ambulance. My best mate's dad who had a hunch i was there and drove from Stockport to the hospital and lied that he was a relative so he could identify me and call my Mum. My dad who never got over it and died without knowing the truth is finally out, the nurses and doctors who kept me alive as the families of Tony Bland and others watched their own loved ones die or be taken from them. The lad Sean who I have met at numerous games since who has to live with brain damage that affects his speech and his capacity and has to go with his mates who help him. My mate's brother-in-law who pulled people up into the upper tier and has never got over it. The huge Scouser I had to hug on the steps at Wembley at the '89 cup final, who cried for his dead brother as the first half was being played.
I also think of the families that have fought so hard for the new inquests and Shelia Coleman who has helped me put my life back together through the HJC.
So let's remember the true reds who went that day to support our team, let's think of them as they were that day, joyous, buoyant, full of life and love and laughter – the travelling Kop roaring on the team. They are not just a number, they are us.
JFT96. Y.N.W.A.
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26 years ago today I went to a football match with my old man. He went into the main stand, I went into the Leppings Lane, just as I had done the previous year. This time though I would wake up three days later not knowing why I was in a hospital bed, not understanding why I couldn't speak or why there were Notts Forest players around my bed, or why my dad was having a long conversation with Ian St John as the Saint sat on the end of my bed.
Today I remember the 96 who never came home, but I also remember the survivors who have had to live with this horror for over two and a half decades. The young lad Gary who pulled me out of the crowd, refused to accept the copper's verdict that I was gone, and with his mates put me on an advertising hoarding and into the back of an ambulance. My best mate's dad who had a hunch i was there and drove from Stockport to the hospital and lied that he was a relative so he could identify me and call my Mum. My dad who never got over it and died without knowing the truth is finally out, the nurses and doctors who kept me alive as the families of Tony Bland and others watched their own loved ones die or be taken from them. The lad Sean who I have met at numerous games since who has to live with brain damage that affects his speech and his capacity and has to go with his mates who help him. My mate's brother-in-law who pulled people up into the upper tier and has never got over it. The huge Scouser I had to hug on the steps at Wembley at the '89 cup final, who cried for his dead brother as the first half was being played.
I also think of the families that have fought so hard for the new inquests and Shelia Coleman who has helped me put my life back together through the HJC.
So let's remember the true reds who went that day to support our team, let's think of them as they were that day, joyous, buoyant, full of life and love and laughter – the travelling Kop roaring on the team. They are not just a number, they are us.
The last thing we need is a major clear-out again. However if that is mainly of squad players rather than first teamers then I would be happy with that. As far as the first team is concerned then, after we switched to 3 at the back, we have shown very good form when we have had a relatively injury-free squad to choose from.
Arrivederci (10 - 11 players including 4-5 currently away on loan): Gerrard, Johnson (good as a backup but Flanno should be back and Jonno is on high wages), Jones, Coates (loan - never coming back), Aspas (loan - never coming back), Lambert, Borini, Alberto (loan - never coming back), Toure (i'd keep him as 4th choice but I guess he'll go), Wisdom (loan - doubt he'll ever be good enough, not exactly getting rave reviews now, just solid). Teixeira (currently on loan, and doing very well, at Brighton) will be going on the Summer Tour, I hope he proves himself as he is another player I really like, otherwise I guess he'll be sold too.
Lucas I'd keep as backup (he may not agree though and prefer a move to Italy for regular football). We missed him during this recent period of injury.
BR is never going to let Allen go. I feel we are too light-weight in CM but a strong replacement for Lucas should change that.
GK - Ming has been one of the best keepers in the PL since returning after being dropped. I'd like another keeper to challenge him, Cech would be perfect.
Lovren won't want to go (new contract, nice salary) so it will be difficult / impossible to move him on so I guess we are stuck with him. Fine, so long as he is 4th/5th choice. I'd like to see Ilori brought back and given a chance, he's tall and has fantastic pace for a CB. So if Ilori comes back and Toure goes then we won't be going for another CB, if Ilori doesn't come back then we will of course.
Strikers : I'm also concerned at the lack of headed goals in the team*, we surely have the smallest front 6 in the PL when Sturridge is out, not that he's fantastic in the air either ; Sterling, Ibe, Lallana, Allen, Coutinho, Henderson (who's easily the tallest). We need another very good striker to partner Sturridge.
Origi is very young and has zero experience of the PL, I expect him to need at least 1-2 seasons of irregular starts. So two more strikers or one and keep Balo (as 4th striker he is fine by me) would give us : Sturridge, A.N.Other, Origi and either Balotelli or Ings (?).
So for me this Summers transfers are not going to be too much, probably : one GK, one CB (only if Ilori doesn't come back and is sold), one DM (start ahead of Lucas or to replace him, with Can as backup, if he goes), one CM (replace Gerrard), 2 strikers (or one if Balo stays as #4). If that's the case then even if the budget is as low as £35-40m (I don't think FSG have never made less than that available) plus sales should just about cover it, though I'd expect more with the substantial increase in PL money next season.
*Most Headed Goals 2014/15 (as of 22nd Feb.) : 15 - West Ham, 9 - Stoke, Arsenal, WBA, 8 - Hull, 7 - Man Utd. I have no idea how many Liverpool have but I'm guessing no more than 2-3 at most !
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Fine by me too.
Lacazette is my dream summer signing. Can play him on either side of a forward 3 with Sturridge in the middle when Sturridge can actually play, and can also deploy him as a lone striker when the glass Brummie no doubt gets injured.
I can't see him here, though. Realistically, if Arsenal offer him a contract, we won't be able to compete with their appeal.
I can't see him here, though. Realistically, if Arsenal offer him a contract, we won't be able to compete with their appeal.
I'm aware that Rodgers will not want to get rid of all of Johnson, Mignolet, Lovren, Toure, Gerrard, Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, Enrique, Lucas and possibly Allen (as well as loanees such as Coates, Aspas & Alberto), my point was that if I were a Liverpool fan I'd be more than happy to see those 14 player's leave, even if it were for £40m.
Mignolet is only ever going to be good enough as a backup keeper in my opinion, so you may as well cash in £6-7m for him and go for someone better. Whilst Lovren, Balotelli, Lambert, Borini, Coates, Aspas, Alberto & Enrique don't even seem good enough as backups; I imagine players from the academy could do a similar job whilst commanding less wages, particularly Balotelli - do you really want to pay £5m a season for a 4th choice striker (plus you might be able to bring in £25-30m for them). Allen and Lucas are adequate squad player's, but again would the £20m they might bring in along with your current transfer budget be better spent elsewhere? I'd say quite possibly, although the likelihood is you'll keep one and let one go.
The problem for Liverpool is raising funds. To get a top class goalkeeper, midfielder, right back & striker which to me is the bear minimum is going to cost far more than your budget this Summer. Liverpool fans are mentioning player's like Cech, Bender, Lacazette & Clyne which are likely to cost around £90m, meaning at least £40m will have to be raised in sales.
As a Liverpool fan I'd much prefer to let those 14 player's go and bring in 5 quality player's than keep the likes of Balotell, Lovren, Borini, Lambert etc and end up shopping in the bargain basement again due to lack of funds (which was the reason for signings like Aspas in the first place).
Are..... are they about to strip?
hmm that's a bit cheesy to say the least, The Full Monty 2?
There's enough top players out there so the manager needs to address his transfer policy. Lallana was about £25m I think but I would expect FC Porto to sell Jackson Martinez for less than that and I think he would be an excellent striker for Liverpool.
I'm not sure the reasons behind Agger's departure but I don't think Lovren is better than him.
There are plenty of players in Italy, Germany, Spain and also around the world who would perform at Liverpool and their transfer value would be less than domestic players.
I'm not sure the reasons behind Agger's departure but I don't think Lovren is better than him.
There are plenty of players in Italy, Germany, Spain and also around the world who would perform at Liverpool and their transfer value would be less than domestic players.
Broke his leg Tuesday night.
#HoldNothingBackDon't think Teixeira will ever be good enough for you lot tbh.I can only see Ojo and Sinclair making it (obviously with Ibe already there).Canos or someone else might surprise me but for now that's it.
Is he that Italian striker la?
I can't see enough in Ojo or Sinclair. Welsh international :P Harry Wilson is our next big thing. Injuries will probably do him though.
Lallana, Balo and Lambert money could have been used on Griezmann and Martinez. Big difference in quality
Rossiter?
Couldn't understand what the fuss was about with Rossiter. He's starting to fade away now like Connor Coady did.
Both teams got exactly what they deserved. Our players obviously thought this was a training session.
Think you can put a lot of blame on BR today. Regardless of the work ethic of Villa, Liverpool did not put out a side to attack from the off and Villa should have been chasing shadows. Again, no plan B when things are not going according to plan.
Must say there's some really good posts in here by our resident Liverpool fans.
He looked good whenever I've seen him, admittedly that isn't a lot but he always looked quite good really. Cracking name too.
Saw this on RAWK. Is this true?
Pretty damning stat.
http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/94...ngland-FA-Cup-2014-2015-Aston-Villa-Liverpool
Cleverley: 7 tackles, 1 interception
Gerrard: 1 tackle, 1 interception
Allen: 1 tackle, 1 interception
Henderson: 1 tackle, 0 interceptions
He's been injured since the start of the year..
Sounds like Cleverley had a really good game to his credit.
Don't think we had that much choice with the line-up today, injuries forced our hand.
I still agree with you that Rodgers was badly at fault today, just don't think it was the line-up where he went wrong.
We all knew that the loss of Suarez would hurt them but surely no one thought it would hurt them this much.
It's like he knit everything together for them and made all of them much better players than they actually are. Lets not forget, they were ridiculously last season. Scoring 100+ goals in the league is not just achieved all the time. It was a seriously good side.
I'm just stunned how far they've fallen in such a short space of time by the loss of just 1 player. They are a shadow of the side they were. It's like they've come full circle to the Dalglish era again (his second era that is).
It's like he knit everything together for them and made all of them much better players than they actually are. Lets not forget, they were ridiculously last season. Scoring 100+ goals in the league is not just achieved all the time. It was a seriously good side.
I'm just stunned how far they've fallen in such a short space of time by the loss of just 1 player. They are a shadow of the side they were. It's like they've come full circle to the Dalglish era again (his second era that is).
I actually think BR cant handle the pressure. Hes gone on probably three or four really good runs of results with Liverpool and all of them were when the pressure was off. And then when it got to pressure time, they faltered and its down to him not having a plan B.
They are dogshite again, amazing how much Suarez lifted them, and perhaps the perception of Brentan.
His arm raising almost Nazi style salute when they score whilst he has a smug look, like the goal is all thanks to his masterful plan.
Like when he did it when they beat Swansea, a clearance which bounced of Henderson and looped over the keeper. He had that look of "this is all down to me". Its actually quite funny when he does it and they end up losing.
Like when he did it when they beat Swansea, a clearance which bounced of Henderson and looped over the keeper. He had that look of "this is all down to me". Its actually quite funny when he does it and they end up losing.
Actually, quite a few people on the Caf, myself included, predicted they'd fall off massively. I believe I predicted a 6th place finish for them.
To think that there were actually some Liverpool fans on here and other places saying they'd challenge for the title again this season. Can't remember who it was here but one of them even said they be even better this season than last.
Actually, quite a few people on the Caf, myself included, predicted they'd fall off massively. I believe I predicted a 6th place finish for them.
To think that there were actually some Liverpool fans on here and other places saying they'd challenge for the title again this season. Can't remember who it was here but one of them even said they be even better this season than last.
Take a wild guess. He's got the same name as that stupid purple dinosaur that kids liked back in the 90s.
Or a fundraiser!! A Raffle!!