EC_Red

He's got no confidence at all when he has the ball. He's making an effort to get off his line as often as possible, which is good.

Lots of injury issues and has looks rusty when back.

An extra 6 million euro investment for a player who is ours 6 months later anyway isn't a great investment, IMO. Only if we are completely devoid of other options would we consider that. Don't think we are getting Origi in Jan.

Maybe Brendan's driving home a point with the transfer committee, that we need a new keeper in Jan. Alternatively, he's trying to man manage Mignolet? I doubt for one second that Rodgers finds Jones to be a better keeper than Simon.

Think it's worth a shot. We at least looked like scoring against the Mancs. Sterling played a bit as a wingback, under Brendan didn't he? Similar attempt with Markovic?

Thought he was talking about Damien Plessis, myself.

What is obvious is that he needs a partner who can play the lines and not be in a situation where is he 30 yards from any midfielder in his half, although the latter holds true for any forward. He might be dumb but he's the best we've got outside of Sturridge and I have no qualms in playing him instead of Lambert or Borini. We'll also need him from January even if we sign a forward, with Sturridge's injury situation.

Hmm, I think that problems dealing with aerial balls isn't just with Skrtel but with our team (squad?) as a whole. Against, QPR we lost duels all over the pitch including midfield which was a big problem. You don't have to be a big team either to be competent defending against set pieces/long ball merchants; Rafa mentioned winning second balls as the aim with his setup, not the initial header itself which still holds true I reckon. We don't seem to win most, looks like and it is hurting us. I don't think signing someone as good as Kyrgiakos in the air would help us if we aren't good enough to clean up the second balls. Also, our defenders end up in one on one situations a lot more than some of the other teams and I am not sure why that is, maybe we lack teamwork at the back. Any forward who is good on his feet/in the air will cause problems against most centrehalves/fullbacks one v one. All it takes is one occasion to lose a goal. I think Skrtel's a pretty good defender but for all his experience with the setup isn't good enough to set up our back four throughout the game, and neither is Mignolet. We've never replaced those characteristics of Reina and Carragher, since they left. I thought that Lovren was that guy, and am more than willing to give him time with the squad, especially with other new players at the back. If we win enough second balls and stop getting into one on one situations so much, especially at centrehalf we'll be fine, but clearly that's easier said than done! Grr, stupid <br />

<br /><br /><br /> Maybe because Skrtel's not as bad as what many think he is?

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Intent?

<br /><br /><br /> Real has El Clasico sandwiched between two of our games.

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Depends on the question. Damn.

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Always assumed Lovren was slow. Not that I've seen him too many times.

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Bulls*** presently, I reckon.

He's better than NOBODY. and Aspas.