Aurelio seen as left midfielder

[Serko]

The offal

 

WARNOCK STILL A PART OF RAFA'S PLANS

Paul Eaton 28 July 2006

Stephen Warnock today insisted he's ready to fight for his place in the Liverpool first team after being reassured over his Anfield future.

The Liverpool defender, who underwent a minor hernia operation last week which has ruled him out of the training camp in Switzerland, admits he feared he could be on his way out of the club following the arrival of Fabio Aurelio, but a meeting with Rafael Benitez has given him fresh optimism for the new campaign.

 

"I did go to in to see the manager just to find out what was going to happen," said Warnock.

 

"The gaffer told me he saw me and John Arne Riise as the main competition at left back because Djimi Traore has been told he can leave the club.

 

"I think Fabio Aurelio is seen as more of a left midfielder, but we'll see when the season starts.

 

"The main thing is hearing the manager say he sees your future at the club.

 

"I was a bit upset to miss out on the cup final, and there were a few times during the course of the season when I was disappointed to be out of the side after I thought I'd played well, but that's football.

 

"Now I'm just looking forward to the new season and challenging for a place again."

[Phil236849]

that sounds pretty kewell. or not

[shanks59]

I am very surprised, and a little worried, that Warnock has not been shown the door

[RafaShanks]

I am very surprised, and a little worried, that Warnock has not been shown the door

 

Think he'll just be cover for JAR and Aurelio, nothing more. Fabio has had a few injuries in the past few years. No sense in getting rid of both Djimi and Warnock.

[sbaros]

He really rates Kewell, been saying it since he came here and according to Elisha he is first choice LM, he clearly rates Gonzalez very highly and he's been speaking well about Aurelio.. this just doesn't add up.. surely Kewell/Gonzalez will then be options for RM or as strikers then?

[Benitez]

"I think Fabio Aurelio is seen as more of a left midfielder, but we'll see when the season starts. "

 

thats what he thinks

[Maldini]

Rafa did say something like "he's a left-midfielder and can play left-back too" in the press conference.

[Guest Kuzco]

I don't rate warknock at all TBH.

 

he shows alot of heart but talent wise I think there ae big gaps.

 

he would do a good job for a mid table side.

[IgPig]

We were always going to keep one of him or Djimi given Kewell and Aurelio don't have good injury records, and Gonzalez is untried.

 

Warnock has the advantage of being able to play in midfield at a push and also of not being Djimi.

Edited July 28, 2006 by hamstrung

[Guest Jodus]

We seem a little heavy on the left, even with Traore gone. If incldue Zenden, we have 6 players - 3 who can play LB, all of whom can play LM. Surely one is expendible, even if you consider Bolo a CM...

[anny road]

you lot make me giggle....you want three top quality pplayers for every position..it doesnt work like that...we now have good cover and Warnock is decent cover, he can do a job when called on

 

thats all

[fred milne]

I think Traore is technically better

Presumably, you don't mean on the ball.

 

To be honest, I'm not convinced he's that much better as a defender either. He's quick and tall (though not strong in the air) and not much else.

[IgPig]

Warnocks main issues are positional and jumping into tackles too early. Sort that out and he's a decent player.

 

Decent enough passer, and better than Traore on the ball (who isn't?)

Edited July 28, 2006 by hamstrung

[Stevie H]

Presumably, you don't mean on the ball.

 

To be honest, I'm not convinced he's that much better as a defender either. He's quick and tall (though not strong in the air) and not much else.

 

djimi traore's entire footballing ability can for me be summarised as 'he's pretty good at recovery tackles having miscontrolled the ball in the first place'. he can't do anything else at all.

[Coyler]

Presumably, you don't mean on the ball.

 

djimi traore's entire footballing ability can for me be summarised as 'he's pretty good at recovery tackles having miscontrolled the ball in the first place'. he can't do anything else at all.

Goal-line clearances at night in Turkey. A niche skill.

[stressederic]

Glad Warnock's staying. Obviously he'll have to go some to get ahead of Riise (and possibly Aurelio depending on where he's played) but he's reliable cover. I also love the way he goes into a challenge full blooded to get the ball, despite those broken legs he's had in the past.

 

If it's a choice between him and Traore, Warnock wins it everytime.

[Phil236849]

djimi traore's entire footballing ability can for me be summarised as 'he's pretty good at recovery tackles having miscontrolled the ball in the first place'. he can't do anything else at all.

 

that's harsh. he's also got the ability to do overhead clearances off the brow of the onrushing striker having misjudged the bounce of the ball and caused several heart-attacks.

[Gilps]

djimi traore's entire footballing ability can for me be summarised as 'he's pretty good at recovery tackles having miscontrolled the ball in the first place'. he can't do anything else at all.

 

In reports linking him with Charlton, is "the tall defender" still the closest thing to a complimentary way of describing him they've come up with?

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Presumably, you don't mean on the ball.

 

You never saw that goal he scored against Burnley? Absolutely sublime technique.

 

To be honest, I'm not convinced he's that much better as a defender either. He's quick and tall (though not strong in the air) and not much else.

 

Traore on his day is capable of far better performances defensively than warnock. Warnock would never be able to replicate some of the performances traore has put in, notably against chelsea a few times, over the years.

 

I think traore's top level, defensively, is fairly high. Problem is, his bottom level is far too low.

[Guest Ant]

I would of rather kept Traore over Warnock