the chances of anything coming from masch

[Mike]

are a million to one they say.

 

but he's another one along with kuyt who needs to step up and lead. (and stop f***in shooting)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

another thread title for the drama section, obv.

[Crazy Horse]

Someone remind me - what's he 'one of the best in the world™' at again?

 

I'd bite Barca's hand off if they made a bid.

[Chili Palmer]

Someone remind me - what's he 'one of the best in the world™' at again?

 

I'd bite Barca's hand off if they made a bid.

 

 

I think that he is away in the summer regardless of what happens this season but have no doubt, he is the best in the world at breaking up play and hunting the ball.

[sean]

I think that he is away in the summer regardless of what happens this season but have no doubt, he is the best in the world at breaking up play and hunting the ball.

 

 

he can be, but he's patently mediocre just now.

[Maldini]

Someone remind me - what's he 'one of the best in the world™' at again?

 

I'd bite Barca's hand off if they made a bid.

 

his job

[downunder]

he can be, but he's patently mediocre just now.

 

Essien is better than Mascherano. He always has been IMO

[New York Red]

His form has been a bit disturbing. We're used to him being a superstar and he's just good right now.

 

I can't imagine him going because I just can't see who is better at what he does when he is on form.

 

He'll be back...

[Stevie H]

when there was a player as skilled at running a game as alonso next to him he was hugely valuable. but he needs a real ballplayer next to him and we no longer have that.

[Raj]

Essien is better than Mascherano. He always has been IMO

 

Pointless comparison

[Dmitch]

Wht would Jeff Wayne do about Masch eh?

[Jiggy Hates Jazz]

I thought he was actually okay on Saturday. In fact, he made one tackle that was defo a glimpse of the Masch we know and love and had our lot on their feet.

 

Agree that now is the time for him and Dirk to step up.

[downunder]

Pointless comparison

 

No it's not.

[allez les rouges]

against the mancs he was brilliant. now we get beat he is s*** again. All in the matter of 6 days.

[Stevie H]

No it's not.

it is in that they perform different roles for their respective teams.

[fred milne]

I think that he is away in the summer regardless of what happens this season but have no doubt, he is the best in the world at breaking up play and hunting the ball.

That's a limited brief and in any case, whilst you might have been able to say that 2 years ago, I don't think it holds true any more.

[David Hodgson]

That's a limited brief and in any case, whilst you might have been able to say that 2 years ago, I don't think it holds true any more.

 

I have a fear that we have a few too many in our squad with limited briefs (no sh*t jokes).

 

We accept Lucas is limited, Masch is limited, Carragher is limited, and Kuyt is limited. All players who can put in warrior like performances, but usually only in the context of being surrounded by sufficient 'real' footballers. Without these players around them, the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun may not hit the heights they do, but stripped of a couple of our main creative players and we look extremely limited at times.

 

Our great ball winners, defensive players, and workhorses of yesteryear could all play a bit too. I'm thinking of Whelan, McMahon, and Souness in central midfield, who could do all Masch can and so much more. In recent years Hamann and Gerrard have played ball winning rolls in midfield, but always given us more than just breaking up the play and 5 yard square passes.

 

Carragher is a great defender but can't actually play the game, and whilst Kuyt is all endeavour and work rate, there is almost no craft from him, and he plays in a wide attacking position where that's an absolute pre-requisite. Don't get me wrong, both great players in their own way, but they look exposed for what they are when the rest of the quality isn't there to cover up for their limitations.

[Swipe]

when there was a player as skilled at running a game as alonso next to him he was hugely valuable. but he needs a real ballplayer next to him and we no longer have that.

 

Agree. Lucas and Masch just can't offer what Xabi did. They never will. It was a gamble for Rafa to think we could go with them while we waited for AA and it's failed.

 

There were suggestions on here that we could be out of the title race by the time Aquilani was ready and unfortunately that's proved true.

 

Hopefully Masch will pick his game up once Aquilani is fit and ready to start.

[fred milne]

I have a fear that we have a few too many in our squad with limited briefs (no sh*t jokes).

 

We accept Lucas is limited, Masch is limited, Carragher is limited, and Kuyt is limited. All players who can put in warrior like performances, but usually only in the context of being surrounded by sufficient 'real' footballers. Without these players around them, the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun may not hit the heights they do, but stripped of a couple of our main creative players and we look extremely limited at times.

 

Our great ball winners, defensive players, and workhorses of yesteryear could all play a bit too. I'm thinking of Whelan, McMahon, and Souness in central midfield, who could do all Masch can and so much more. In recent years Hamann and Gerrard have played ball winning rolls in midfield, but always given us more than just breaking up the play and 5 yard square passes.

 

Carragher is a great defender but can't actually play the game, and whilst Kuyt is all endeavour and work rate, there is almost no craft from him, and he plays in a wide attacking position where that's an absolute pre-requisite. Don't get me wrong, both great players in their own way, but they look exposed for what they are when the rest of the quality isn't there to cover up for their limitations.

Aye.

 

The likes of Carra, Masch and Kuyt can be useful foils but the real talent lies elsewhere in the squad and unfortunately for us, with the exception of Benayoun, it is made of brittle stuff (i.e. Torres, Gerrard, Aquilani and Agger).

[Chili Palmer]

That's a limited brief and in any case, whilst you might have been able to say that 2 years ago, I don't think it holds true any more.

 

 

It may ne a limited role and it may not be needed as much against all teams but it is vital when needed. I'd say that he is still the best, he started last season like this as well and came back well.

[downunder]

it is in that they perform different roles for their respective teams.

 

All midfielders do a different job, no 2 are identical.

 

When we lose Mascherano I would have Essien to replace him (we wont get him), he breaks up the opposition's play, and tackles back like a terrier. He can also score goals.

 

I would not have Mascherano and Essien in the same team.

[Dan]

I said in the summer when all the speculation was rife that I'd be willing to sacrafice the outstanding defensive capabilities of Mascherano for a lesser model and some more attacking flair e.g. £30M for Mascharano spent on a Scott Parker/Cattermole type player and a Silva.

 

Now that we've seen the rug pulled from under Rafa's feet with the Alonso money there are no guarantees that this could ever happen anyway. He'll be reluctant to sell any of his top stars whether he wants to or not.

[richwilks]

If he goes in the summer the amount of s*** from "supporters" about how we're missing what he offers would be incredible.

 

Look at all the Alonso s*** going round when in reality last season he was superb but the 2 seasons before he was average at best. To be honest Rafa tried to sell him at the right time last summer.

[fred milne]

Look at all the Alonso s*** going round when in reality last season he was superb but the 2 seasons before he was average at best. To be honest Rafa tried to sell him at the right time last summer.

Alonso's qualities were taken for granted by many - including by the manager it seems.

[Falconhoof]

I have a fear that we have a few too many in our squad with limited briefs (no sh*t jokes).

 

We accept Lucas is limited, Masch is limited, Carragher is limited, and Kuyt is limited. All players who can put in warrior like performances, but usually only in the context of being surrounded by sufficient 'real' footballers. Without these players around them, the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun may not hit the heights they do, but stripped of a couple of our main creative players and we look extremely limited at times.

 

Our great ball winners, defensive players, and workhorses of yesteryear could all play a bit too. I'm thinking of Whelan, McMahon, and Souness in central midfield, who could do all Masch can and so much more. In recent years Hamann and Gerrard have played ball winning rolls in midfield, but always given us more than just breaking up the play and 5 yard square passes.

 

Carragher is a great defender but can't actually play the game, and whilst Kuyt is all endeavour and work rate, there is almost no craft from him, and he plays in a wide attacking position where that's an absolute pre-requisite. Don't get me wrong, both great players in their own way, but they look exposed for what they are when the rest of the quality isn't there to cover up for their limitations.

 

 

This is my concern, we've needed more footballers. But you get what you pay for. He's had to make a lot of compromises along the way to shaping this squad. I fear that even with his best efforts, he hasn't been able to weave a miracle from the resources he's had. If Rafa can't do it, then I seriously doubt that anyone else can on this budget.

Skillful players who are also able to do the hard work and stick up for themselves are out of our price bracket to a large extent.

[yellow jumper]

Alonso's qualities were taken for granted by many - including by the manager it seems.

 

alonso was his keystone signing, remained a central figure throughout five years, and was only allowed to leave for 30 million. i don't think his quality was ever taken for granted by the manager.

 

we lost an important player who hasn't been replaced with the same quality in the short term. his absence is only the tip of this iceberg.