Mascherano vs Alonso

[BG]

Rafa keps saying Javier is there to pressure Alonso and provide competition.

 

I've not seen that much of him - anyone think if he starts playing to his potential Xabi could have a real battle on his hands or will Alonso, as now, basically be first choice for defensive midfield when fit?

[Guest Finnan3]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

[Maldini]

Hard to split them, they're both fantastic footballers and we're lucky to have them.

[richt71]

Rafa keps saying Javier is there to pressure Alonso and provide competition.

 

I've not seen that much of him - anyone think if he starts playing to his potential Xabi could have a real battle on his hands or will Alonso, as now, basically be first choice for defensive midfield when fit?

 

Kind of weird. Always rated Xabi before we signed him...rate Mascherano as well though. I'd suggest if Javi adjusts to the PL then we'd have 2 of the best defensive ball players in world footie along with Pirlo, Xavi, Makele (not as good with the ball though) and to a much lessor extent Carrick. So yes he could displace Xabi but both top drawer.

[Conor]

Both of them would walk in to the majority of the teams in Europe. The exception being West Ham of course. And to suggest that Xabi is dispensible is ridiculous. He is obviously Rafa's favourite player. And rightly so.

[Alonso]

I would say that Xabi is more of a play maker with a better range of passing with Mascherano better at breaking up play in front of the back 4 but keeping things simple a la Didi/Makelele. Both could complement each other especially if we get attacking wingers with Mascherano covering and Alonso finding them with his range of passing.

[fyds]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

I think the moon is made of green cheese.

[RafaShanks]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

 

What a ridiculous statement. Based on?

[psl]

What a ridiculous statement. Based on?

 

Well if everyone agreed with him it wouldn't be a surprise would it.

[Liverpoolway]

I would say that Xabi is more of a play maker with a better range of passing with Mascherano better at breaking up play in front of the back 4 but keeping things simple a la Didi/Makelele. Both could complement each other especially if we get attacking wingers with Mascherano covering and Alonso finding them with his range of passing.

 

I'm not so sure if this is accurate. Xabi is excellent (best in the PL) at breaking up play and keeping things simple (when needed)..

[meepins]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

 

I think you could be a surprise arrival at an asylum.

[_00_deathscar]

I think you could be a surprise arrival at an asylum.

 

That won't be a surprise though....

[Stevie H]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

 

love it. xabi alonso is arguably, and not really that arguably, the best football player in the premiership.

[R A Softlad]

I think Alonso could be a surprise departure in the summer.

 

I would have agreed with you had we not got investment, can't see that happening now though.

[floyd the barber]

personally think Mascherano is more a replacement for Hamann...Javier does a similar to job to what Hamann did...and is a different kinda of player to what we have in the current squad..

 

I can see Macherano,sissoko and alonso being rotated depending on who we play...with of course, Gerrard being the only ever present when fit.

[Magic8Ball]

personally think Mascherano is more a replacement for Hamann...Javier does a similar to job to what Hamann did...and is a different kinda of player to what we have in the current squad..

 

I can see Macherano,sissoko and alonso being rotated depending on who we play...with of course, Gerrard being the only ever present when fit.

yes and when defending a lead I can see all 4 playing

[hideNseek]

personally think Mascherano is more a replacement for Hamann...Javier does a similar to job to what Hamann did...and is a different kinda of player to what we have in the current squad..

 

I can see Macherano,sissoko and alonso being rotated depending on who we play...with of course, Gerrard being the only ever present when fit.

I can see Gerrard coming off the bench for some of the smaller teams. I mean your hardly going to waste Gerrards talent against the likes of Everton are you?

[_00_deathscar]

He decided exactly the same last year at home...

[Dule]

Alonso will leave after next season, he will not leave till we win the league.

[Teigen]

Now we only need to get rid of Zenden, and bring in a class winger (Right and/or left). But my god, what a fantastic midfield we have!

 

2002/2003: Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Diao, Smicer, Cheyrou, Biscan, Berger.

 

Now: Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano, Zenden, Pennant, Garcia, Gonzalez, Kewell

[Magic8Ball]

Now we only need to get rid of Zenden, and bring in a class winger (Right and/or left). But my god, what a fantastic midfield we have!

 

2002/2003: Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Diao, Smicer, Cheyrou, Biscan, Berger.

 

Now: Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano, Zenden, Pennant, Garcia, Gonzalez, Kewell

what an excellent CM we have but lets talk wings

 

RW

 

C Ronaldo

Lennon

J Cole

Sean W Phillips

Lundberg

Ashley Young

Solano

Pennant

our RW is 7th best in the league ... is that really good enough ?

 

 

LW

 

Robben

Duff

Giggs

Kewell ( when fit and firing )

 

 

 

we really need to improve our wings

[Falconhoof]

what an excellent CM we have but lets talk wings

 

RW

 

C Ronaldo

Lennon

J Cole plays on the left

Sean W Phillips never plays and hasn't done anything of note since he's been at Chelsea

Lundberg Has lost his pace, hasn't done as well as Pennant this season

Ashley Young debatable

Solano

Pennant

our RW is 7th best in the league ... is that really good enough ?

LW

 

Robben

Duff

Giggs

Kewell ( when fit and firing )

we really need to improve our wings

 

 

Of course we need to improve our wings, but I don't think Pennant has been as bad as is generally accepted. We need at least one winger on either flank, but preferably both who is as good as Robben, Giggs, or Ronaldo. Those three provide the benchmark in our league. But everyone knows this, Rafa knows it, his scouts know it. We'll see players come in in the summer now we have the investment.

[Buzz]

Pennant

our RW is 7th best in the league ... is that really good enough ?

To be fair, while he hasn't quite hit the level we thought he would, if our strikers could have coverted lot of what he has put into the box, his assists would be better and us a lot happier.

[_00_deathscar]

what an excellent CM we have but lets talk wings

 

RW

 

C Ronaldo

Lennon

J Cole

Sean W Phillips

Lundberg

Ashley Young

Solano

Pennant

our RW is 7th best in the league ... is that really good enough ?

LW

 

Robben

Duff

Giggs

Kewell ( when fit and firing )

we really need to improve our wings

 

Or alternatively, our back up winger is the 7th best in the League, which isn't bad at all ... seeing as our first choice right midfielder is better than all of the above.

 

And Kewell when fit and firing is better than all of the above at this age, when fit and at 80% is better than Duff, for sure.

[Magic8Ball]

To be fair, while he hasn't quite hit the level we thought he would, if our strikers could have coverted lot of what he has put into the box, his assists would be better and us a lot happier.

where I feel let down by Pennant is in the quality of his crosses and through balls - I dont expect lots of dribbling and great pace from Pennant but did expect a Beckham like ability to cross the ball

so far 50% or more of his crosses have seemed like hit and hope

 

I've also been disappointed with Gonzales