Masch and Alonso

[D.Boon]

Did not look too defensive to me last night. Good range of passing from both and both got forward well at times. Masch in particular seems to love bombing on when he gets the chance and seems to have quite a turn of pace to him. A real hunting in packs feel to our midfield last night with Gerrard, Kuyt and Babel also closing down nice and early when West Ham had the ball

 

Where are all the doom mongers who were saying these two cant play together?

Edited March 6, 2008 by gackwilliams

[Tosh]

what the hell was Xabi doing ahead of Gerrard as he hit the 4th goal? Xabi really bombed forwards, never knew he had that pace!

[McBain]

Where are all the doom mongers who were saying these two cant play together?

 

Hopefully tarred and feathered

[Guest Anders Honoré]

don't recall anyone saying they can't play together.

 

Alonso seems to have a curious omnicompatability. Everyone plays well with him in the pairing.

Edited March 6, 2008 by Anders Honoré

[honourablegeorge]

A real hunting in packs feel to our midfield last night

 

When we're hungry like that, we win games. Simple as. There were times when it was a joy to watch, the way we got at them and surrounded them.

[fred milne]

don't recall anyone saying they can't play together.

There were a few saying that - "too defensive". In fact it was suggested that we should be looking to shift one or the other out at the end of the season as we didn't need both.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

There were a few saying that - "too defensive". In fact it was suggested that we should be looking to shift one or the other out at the end of the season as we didn't need both.

 

I suggested that at one point, if we were going to play 4-4-2 and needed the money. Not because I thought they were poor together though.

[johngibo YPC]

When we're hungry like that, we win games. Simple as. There were times when it was a joy to watch, the way we got at them and surrounded them.

 

Gerrard really leads from example in that respect. When he starts doing it everyone else starts doing it as well.

Apart from Mascherano of course who probably hunts people down in supermarkets

Edited March 6, 2008 by johngibo YPC

[shaq]

don't recall anyone saying they can't play together.

 

Alonso seems to have a curious omnicompatability. Everyone plays well with him in the pairing.

he's the anti-Owen!

[Awrence]

omnicompatability

 

What a cool word! I am now going to use it everyday for a week!

[Rimbeux]

Small point of order, it's Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano in central midfield, but as you were.

[D.Boon]

Small point of order, it's Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano in central midfield, but as you were.

 

Im talking about the engine room

[The_Adder]

I f***ing love it.

 

Can we please play them three in central midfield for the next century?

 

Literally is the best central midfield in the world - there is not better, go on try!!

 

And with Lucas as back-up = YES!!

 

If we bought a 'world class' player for the right attacking position (where Kuyt is now) and kept Babel growing into the left side role then we are quite frankly set my friends.

[Foo]

What a cool word! I am now going to use it everyday for a week!

 

 

Omnicompatibility. Please use that instead.

[Roscoe]

I think Rafas whole 'project' might start to really come together if these pair can stay fit. they will allow both the back 4 and the front 4 to do their jobs, acting like a pivot for the whole team, meaning defenders can move forward (and won't need to resort to hoofing) and that attackers don't get isolated.

 

Crucially, for all his qualities Gerrard is not one of these 'pivot' players and trying to accomodate him there has not worked. We can now get the best out of Gerrard because he can do whatever the feck he wants in this system because we have 2 world class performers glueing the side together.

[Dan]

Great to see Alonso getting back to the level we all know he is capable of.

 

No-one can touch his passing when he's on form.

[The_Adder]

Great to see Alonso getting back to the level we all know he is capable of.

 

No-one can touch his passing when he's on form.

 

Jan Molby

[Ginu]

I see Gerrard staying on the left from now on (even next season), Masch and Alonso in the middle and a top quality right winger being brought in to take Kuyt's spot on the wing. I think Kuyt will be sold this summer with Babel, Torres and Crouch rotating for 2 forward positions. The team has so much balance now.

Edited March 6, 2008 by Ginu

[Mike]

I see Gerrard staying on the left from now on (even next season), Masch and Alonso in the middle and a top quality right winger being brought in to take Kuyt's spot on the wing. I think Kuyt will be sold this summer with Babel, Torres and Crouch rotating for 2 forward positions. The team has so much balance now.

 

?

[realtarragona]

?

 

Haha, bizarre isn't it...

[Kahnee]

?

 

Oh come on, Gerrard's been a revelation on the left these past few games

[Bootle Buck]

That pairing is our best in CM. They seem to smother the opposition and yet still get forward too. They also leave Gerrad to roam free and that is always a Godsend.

[Guest keygone]

I see Gerrard staying on the left from now on (even next season), Masch and Alonso in the middle and a top quality right winger being brought in to take Kuyt's spot on the wing. I think Kuyt will be sold this summer with Babel, Torres and Crouch rotating for 2 forward positions. The team has so much balance now.

 

I see Riise staying up front from now on, Lucas and Sissoko in the middle and a top quality GK being brought in.

[Kahnee]

I see Riise staying up front from now on, Lucas and Sissoko in the middle and a top quality GK being brought in.

Kewell wide right is the key to all of this

[Guest keygone]

As for Alonso and Mascherano, that's as perfectly balanced a midfield duo as you're ever likely to see. Especially if they have a quick centre back behind them (allowing the team to play a little further up), thus ensuring that our midfield two and those in front of them press high up the pitch.