The Importance of Mascherano...

[alias75]

Think we saw it today, the one thing thats impressed me most about Mascherano is that he approaches each game with the intensity of a CL final. His passing may not always be on, but his commitment levels are at a constantly high level and when he plays hes often the one setting the tone or setting up attacks with a tackle or interception.

 

Yes we have more talented central midfielders at the club but i honestly cannot think of one game where Mascherano has looked off his game, or not interested, he hasn't always played well (although i think his level is more consistent than most in our team) but his commitment is always there.

 

Against Portsmouth Gerrard looked out of sorts (probably still ill) in other years that may have been a problem but not with Mascherano who led by example set the tone and even created a few goals by winning tackles.

 

think hes quickly become one of our top players and one you dont rest...

[Guest Kaizer]

For me what we saw today was the importance of Hyypia, I have never seen a defence fall apart like this because one player had to come off.

 

Would we been a complete shambles at the back if it was Carra that had been forced off?

 

I really dont think so.

 

For the original post, I did not miss Mascherano one bit today, what could he have done to make a difference do you think?

[alias75]

I just love his attitude he wants to win a tackle with the same intensity if we're winning 4-1 or its 0-0 he approaches every game with the same attitude and he's one of the few in the team where you can see that will to win every game.

 

With him on the pitch he sets the tempo for the team by winning tackles and making interceptions, he may not score a great goal or play a killer pass but his influence is on the whole team, he leads they follow in terms of working hard and closing down, that often leads to mistakes by the opposition which can lead to goals (as we saw against Portsmouth)

 

With him in the side im just completely confident that we'll have someone thats never complacent never gives up and plays at a consistently high level week after week.

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

I just love his attitude he wants to win a tackle with the same intensity if we're winning 4-1 or its 0-0 he approaches every game with the same attitude and he's one of the few in the team where you can see that will to win every game.

 

With him on the pitch he sets the tempo for the team by winning tackles and making interceptions, he may not score a great goal or play a killer pass but his influence is on the whole team, he leads they follow in terms of working hard and closing down, that often leads to mistakes by the opposition which can lead to goals (as we saw against Portsmouth)

 

With him in the side im just completely confident that we'll have someone thats never complacent never gives up and plays at a consistently high level week after week.

 

I agree with that. I feel a lot more comfortable defensively when he is in the team.

[Guz]

Mashcerano was excellent against pompey but we pressed them high up the pitch as a TEAM. We didnt let them play and gave them no time or space on the ball. The attitude and application as a TEAM was totally lacking today. If we cant feel confident enough to rest a couple of players (especially when it's Xabi Alonso coming in for him) then we're f***ing useless.

 

It was similar against Reading though nowhere near as bad but Masch played then too.

Edited December 26, 2007 by Guz

[alias75]

Just think you cant have too many players with his attitude in your team, hes a winner in the same mould as a Souness or a Keane, he plays the same when we're winning easily and thats exactly what this team needs someone that plays with the same intensity when we're coasting, thats how you put the weaker teams to bed and not give them a chance to get back into it.

 

Of course he needs others to follow and there have been games that hes played where the team hasnt performed well, but from memory i cant remember too many poor games from him his level doesn't drop much.

 

People have commented that the team lacks that will to win at all costs that teams like Utd have, we need leaders, we need winners in the team and Mascherano is a winner.

[Falconhoof]

Would we been a complete shambles at the back if it was Carra that had been forced off?

 

Its not the choice of Sami or Carra that makes the situation so dangerous for us...its the fact that we end up with JAR at centre half. He's terrifying in that position.

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

The only problem is where does all this leave Alonso.

 

Gerrard and Masch would be most peoples first choice.

[meepins]

The only problem is where does all this leave Alonso.

 

Gerrard and Masch would be most peoples first choice.

Poll it and I'll believe you. (I don't know how.)

Edited December 26, 2007 by meepins

[alias75]

Alonso / Masch is my first choice pairing with Stevie starting on the right and having license to roam.

 

Think its an excellent mix with those 2 in the middle and it frees Stevie to concentrate on scoring and creating further forward.

[Guest Kaizer]

Its not the choice of Sami or Carra that makes the situation so dangerous for us...its the fact that we end up with JAR at centre half. He's terrifying in that position.

 

Absolutely, even if he won a few headers, but the insecurity just spread out in the back four like the plague, my point was that I`m not sure it would have been as bad if Sami was the one alongside Riise.

[Falconhoof]

Franco Baresi would have struggled to hold a central defensive partnership with Riise.

[Rimbeux]

To be honest, one of my issues with Masch is that he tends to lack intensity in some games where there isn't much coming the other way, Pompey and Derby at home have been games where he's shown to be learning to lose that. Our main issue today for me, was either a tactical or lazy reliance on long ball direct football, as if we thought they'd crumble in the face of it, and that's all we had to do. It took the captain to actually pull something from the complacency.

Edited December 26, 2007 by Rimbeux

[Kite]

Think we saw it today, the one thing thats impressed me most about Mascherano is that he approaches each game with the intensity of a CL final. His passing may not always be on, but his commitment levels are at a constantly high level and when he plays hes often the one setting the tone or setting up attacks with a tackle or interception.

 

Yes we have more talented central midfielders at the club but i honestly cannot think of one game where Mascherano has looked off his game, or not interested, he hasn't always played well (although i think his level is more consistent than most in our team) but his commitment is always there.

 

Against Portsmouth Gerrard looked out of sorts (probably still ill) in other years that may have been a problem but not with Mascherano who led by example set the tone and even created a few goals by winning tackles.

 

think hes quickly become one of our top players and one you dont rest...

Think you are getting carried away there a bit, there's certainly been several games already this season where Masch has been poor, very poor. He's a fine player but it does him no favours to overstate his case. I'm sure he will get better and better, and hence it would be good to get him signed now, but I'm also pretty sure we'd survive this season without him if it ever came to that.

[Hassony]

Absolutely, even if he won a few headers, but the insecurity just spread out in the back four like the plague, my point was that I`m not sure it would have been as bad if Sami was the one alongside Riise.

 

I think Sami is a great teacher to his partner at CB, Hobbs looked more comfortable playing with Sami than he did with Carra, and I think Carra learned a lot himself playing alongside Hyypia, who is in my opinion, was the best centre back in the history of the premiership (ahead of Stam, Ferdinand, Terry, Carra and Bramble)

[floyd]

For me what we saw today was the importance of Hyypia, I have never seen a defence fall apart like this because one player had to come off.

 

Franco Baresi would have struggled to hold a central defensive partnership with Riise.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I think Sami is a great teacher to his partner at CB, Hobbs looked more comfortable playing with Sami than he did with Carra, and I think Carra learned a lot himself playing alongside Hyypia, who is in my opinion, was the best centre back in the history of the premiership (ahead of Stam, Ferdinand, Terry, Carra and Bramble)

 

Stam at his best was simply unbeatable. A oneman defence.

[Hassony]

Stam at his best was simply unbeatable. A oneman defence.

 

Hyypia at his best would just edge it for me (probably Biased opinion!)

 

but them two would be the two CB's I would have as my choice for the Premiership all time XI

[fred milne]

I think Carra learned a lot himself playing alongside Hyypia, who is in my opinion, was the best centre back in the history of the premiership (ahead of Stam, Ferdinand, Terry, Carra and Bramble)

That's a big shout when you think of all the CBs there have been in the last 15 years. In addition to the players you mention there is also the likes of Pallister, Bruce, Johnsen, Vidic, Hendry, Adams, Bould, Keown, Campbell, Toure, Desailly, Gallas, Cavalho, Woodgate, Wright, Henchoz, Agger etc to consider.

[Rich Gobey]

The only problem is where does all this leave Alonso.

 

Gerrard and Masch would be most peoples first choice.

 

And they would all be wrong together

 

That's a big shout when you think of all the CBs there have been in the last 15 years. In addition to the players you mention there is also the likes of Pallister, Bruce, Johnsen, Vidic, Hendry, Adams, Bould, Keown, Campbell, Toure, Desailly, Gallas, Cavalho, Woodgate, Wright, Henchoz, Agger etc to consider.

 

Sammi has been great, but there have been a few defenders in the prem better than him

[Hassony]

Sammi has been great, but there have been a few defenders in the prem better than him

 

like? taking into consideration his consistancy and his length of service

[R A Softlad]

For me what we saw today was the importance of Hyypia, I have never seen a defence fall apart like this because one player had to come off.

 

Would we been a complete shambles at the back if it was Carra that had been forced off?

 

I really dont think so.

 

For the original post, I did not miss Mascherano one bit today, what could he have done to make a difference do you think?

 

Said the same about Sami to Will at the game. Don't agree that we didn't miss Masch though - he would have set the pace and the replacement of Sami wouldn't have effected the team in such a way.

 

I still think my initial call that their free kick was not a free kick was on the money, yet on 606 their lot were complaining we got all the decisions - they saw a different game than me.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

like? taking into consideration his consistancy and his length of service

 

Terry, Adams, Stam, Desailly. Maybe Campbell and Gallas would be my shouts.

[Rich Gobey]

like? taking into consideration his consistancy and his length of service

 

Ferdinand is a better player than Sammi ever was.

[fred milne]

Ferdinand is a better player than Sammi ever was.

I reckon Sami is better at defending the 18 yard line. Its one of the reasons we've done so well in Europe since he's been at the club.