Alonso

[Guest JimmyJames]

Fair play to Harry as he was our best player tonight, but Alonsos brilliance in holding the ball, relasing it at the right time, at the right speed, at the right spot just doesn't stop to amaze me. Easily our most important player.

[Guest Sabre]

Couldn't agree more. Without him we do not tick.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Really hope we sign Owen or someone like that. Alonso would thrive.

[stressederic]

There was a moment late on when I think it was Alonso who slid a perfect ball through the gap for Cisse, except he'd ventured half a dozen yards offside. If he'd have stayed put he'd have been clean through.

 

There's something undeniably cool about Alonso, always seems to have as much time as he wants no matter how quick the closing down is. Never seems to have to do something with the ball he didn't want to.

[Bootle Buck]

Brillaint display from Xabi. An unsung hero to say the least.

[Guest Sabre]

It does surprise me that his long passing hasn't been as accurate this season - I genuinely think we're not quite playing as wide a game as we were trying to do last season - we're far tighter in the midfield. Also, we lack genuine pace down the flanks - often, Xabi is trying to pick out Luis Garcia on the charge or Harry K.

 

He is a far more aggressive player this season but his undeniable class shines through when he gets on the ball.

[IgPig]

we look so much better with him and momo playing.

[stressederic]

It does surprise me that his long passing hasn't been as accurate this season - I genuinely think we're not quite playing as wide a game as we were trying to do last season - we're far tighter in the midfield. Also, we lack genuine pace down the flanks - often, Xabi is trying to pick out Luis Garcia on the charge or Harry K.

He is a far more aggressive player this season but his undeniable class shines through when he gets on the ball.

 

I think it'll be interesting to see how he and Speedy link up next season.

[chiliking]

my favourite player, just shading Carra. His presence on the field makes me think of God. Not the Fowler one

[Knox_Harrington]

We need to cover him next season. We'd be lost without him for any sustained period.

 

And I actually thought the limitations of Gerrard right and Sissoko central today were shown up for the last twenty minutes of the game. We couldn't hold the ball after we reached panic stations and Gerrard couldn't influence the game across the ninety as you'd hope and certainly couldn't in the last twenty of the match.

 

That's not to say either player played badly, by the way.

[Guest Sabre]

We need to cover him next season. We'd be lost without him for any sustained period.

 

Yup, good point. We need a player with his composure and skill set. Don't know of many though.

[fred milne]

We need to cover him next season. We'd be lost without him for any sustained period.

Hamann is as good cover as we can reasonably expect.

[Knox_Harrington]

Hamann is as good cover as we can reasonably expect.

Probably right but it is a genuine concern. Hamann couldn't play four games in a fortnight and wouldn't have Xabi's range in any of them. We are so reliant on him, more than on any other player, that it could hurt us next season if he was out for a critical six weeks of the season. We will have to get ninety points to win the league. That means nothing can be left to chance.

 

Yup, good point. We need a player with his composure and skill set. Don't know of many though.

Carrick. But it'd be serious money unfortunately.

 

The other alternative is a playmaker who plies his trade further forward. Riquelme-esque. Think Fred's right though. Hamann is about as good and is as reliable as we could hope for. Think we should sign a playmaking forward though. It's another option the manager could use.

[Guest Sabre]

I think Arteta could do a job similar to Xabi.

[Knox_Harrington]

I think Arteta could do a job similar to Xabi.

Last season would have been the time. Now they'd never sell to us for less than an extortionate price.

 

Also he needs the security of a deeplying player doesn't he? Xabi does all he does with the ball while being a terrific anchor midfielder.

[Guest Sabre]

I think you could play Arteta next to Momo. He's got all the technical ability to be a good squad player and apply himself to a variety of positions, as well as improving his physical assets like Alonso has done. Although I agree that the Blues**** would never sell him to us.

[columbo]

xabi-momo's a fantastic midfield combination - alonso, the best in the league in possession, sissoko, the best in the league without it. and to think they're both early 20s

[stressederic]

I think you could play Arteta next to Momo. He's got all the technical ability to be a good squad player and apply himself to a variety of positions, as well as improving his physical assets like Alonso has done. Although I agree that the Blues**** would never sell him to us.

 

It's be good foresight if they did. Then when they do f*** all again next season, they can blame it on us.

[Knox_Harrington]

Maybe Arteta could. Either way it is a worry though. We really can't have anything left up in the air going into next season in squad terms because if we do then the challenge we should be able to make will flounder at some stage. That's why all that "let's hope Anderson can play right wing and concentrate on the strikers" stuff was s**** (and hopefully will have been turned in after last night) and quite annoying. We need to have a full squad with options and cover in all areas. Then we can push on all fronts.

[Guest Sabre]

I think we need a replacement for Hamann as well in terms of experience - maybe there's a defensive type midfielder whose contract expires this summer?

[Knox_Harrington]

I think we need a replacement for Hamann as well in terms of experience - maybe there's a defensive type midfielder whose contract expires this summer?

As well as keeping Hamann? Surely that'd be one too many (even for me!)

[Guest Sabre]

We need two players in each position capable of stepping up

 

Reina, Carson

 

Finnan, Kromkamp

 

Carragher, Paletta

 

Hyypia, Agger

 

Riise, Aurelio?

 

Gerrard, Garcia (this will change, no doubt)

 

Xabi, Gerrard?...

 

Momo, Hamann (needs cover)

 

Kewell, Gonzalez

 

Midfield has Zenden as a utility player.

 

We all know what we need up front.

 

 

 

 

As well as keeping Hamann? Surely that'd be one too many (even for me!)

 

Na, because I'm sure he'll play fewer games next season as this season. He really can't play more than one match a week and even then his passing range isn't great enough and he's no natural partner for Gerrard or Momo.

 

We need an experienced head, in good shape, decent technical player.

[Knox_Harrington]

Disagree with your groupings Sabre.

 

Xabi/Hamann

 

Gerrard/Momo

 

Gerrard and Sissoko have NEVER been a centre mid pair at any stage this season.

 

And there's nothing right wing. It's all been odds and sods and needs sorting.

 

Na, because I'm sure he'll play fewer games next season as this season. He really can't play more than one match a week and even then his passing range isn't great enough and he's no natural partner for Gerrard or Momo.

 

We need an experienced head, in good shape, decent technical player.

Don't know about that. Fred's probably right on balance. We'll struggle to get a better option who's willing to come in and out.

[Guest Sabre]

Now that you mention it, that's true...Rafa obviously sees Momo and Stevie as the dynamic all-action players.

 

It was interesting that when Momo first joined he was playing in a far more advanced role.

 

And yes, I agree that neither Gerrard nor Luis G are the answer on the right. I like seeing Luis G play off the front man and I think Kewell can do it too. Also, I agree with you about Gerrard off the front man (having read your other posts about it).

 

 

And there's nothing right wing. It's all been odds and sods and needs sorting.

Don't know about that. Fred's probably right on balance. We'll struggle to get a better option who's willing to come in and out.

 

Whenever they played together towards the back end of GH's reign, there was a distinct lack of movement, caused I think by Stevie's all-action style and by Didi's lack of range.

 

Stevie is starting to learn how to slow his game down although he still doesn't quite dictate our possession - he dictates us going forwards when he's on form.

 

There were times under GH when Didi would collect from the defence, pass back to the defence and so on and so on. Xabi thankfully doesn't have to do that.

 

We need someone who is comfortable on the ball, who can get stuck in but also start us moving forwards. Didi only offers one of those.

[Knox_Harrington]

Now that you mention it, that's true...Rafa obviously sees Momo and Stevie as the dynamic all-action players.

 

It was interesting that when Momo first joined he was playing in a far more advanced role.

 

And yes, I agree that neither Gerrard nor Luis G are the answer on the right. I like seeing Luis G play off the front man and I think Kewell can do it too. Also, I agree with you about Gerrard off the front man (having read your other posts about it).

Whenever they played together towards the back end of GH's reign, there was a distinct lack of movement, caused I think by Stevie's all-action style and by Didi's lack of range.

 

Stevie is starting to learn how to slow his game down although he still doesn't quite dictate our possession - he dictates us going forwards when he's on form.

 

There were times under GH when Didi would collect from the defence, pass back to the defence and so on and so on. Xabi thankfully doesn't have to do that.

 

We need someone who is comfortable on the ball, who can get stuck in but also start us moving forwards. Didi only offers one of those.

Think Didi has moved us forwards much more this season and think he can only really pass to what he has around him. He was, for example, excellent in the Super Cup Final and Birmingham at home when Alonso didn't play.

 

Our whole dynamic should change going forward next season. First half today showed exactly what a ball carrying wide man who knows he has the beating of his full back can offer. Xabi didn't spray any glorious ball out to Kewell; it was worked to him. Hamann could do that.

 

What Xabi does do that Gerrard, Hamann and Sissoko all don't is dictate the tempo of the game. But very few players do that - no one does at Chelsea or Man U for instance. That's why I'd look at a forward who can do it. Another option. Someone who plays an advanced role and can demand possession and work with movement off the ball.

 

For someone as safe and experienced as Didi is we really wouldn't get anyone who was as solid with extra qualities without spending money which really does have to be allocated elsewhere.