Liverpool FC Forum

[LFC2007]

That seems a little bit premature Mick, IMO.

Just a bit.

[Bad Bob]

Well after seeing Alberto for the first time in a fullish game, I'm going to go out on a limb given the fact he clearly wasn't fit (I wonder why ) and say I was disappointed in his contribution. A couple of people have described him as being a "floater" and that's all good, but you've still got to have the determination to influence the play. For me he didn't do enough, didn't attempt enough, and didn't want it enough. I thought defensively he was absolutely powder puff, and I couldn't work out exactly what sort of player he is.

Based on that, I'm going to go out on a limb totally and say I don't think he'll be a good signing for us for 18-20 million quid. Early I know after one half fit performance, but that's what I think anyway. My money's on him going back to Italy at the end of next season.

I still remember quite clearly your early read on Lucas, mate.  I think the phrases "he's got a bit about him," "lovely the way he ghosts into space" and (my favourite!) "he's all 360 degree looks" were sprinkled liberally through those early, rather sanguine assessments.  You'll forgive me, then, if I don't put too much stock in this early stab in the dark. 

[JoeTerp]

Mick, would love to know how this new 16 year old is going to pan out, maybe you can tell from a picture

[Bad Bob]

Mick, would love to know how this new 16 year old is going to pan out, maybe you can tell from a picture

     

[Scottbot]

That seems a little bit premature Mick, IMO.

Just a bit.

a bit premature!!?!! Most lads last longer than that on their first !!! 

bloody Ell lad, who do ya think you are!? Mystic Bloody Mick!

[Scottbot]

Mick, would love to know how this new 16 year old is going to pan out, maybe you can tell from a picture

Brilliant!    

[Scottbot]

Well after seeing Alberto for the first time in a fullish game, I'm going to go out on a limb given the fact he clearly wasn't fit (I wonder why ) and say I was disappointed in his contribution. A couple of people have described him as being a "floater" and that's all good, but you've still got to have the determination to influence the play. For me he didn't do enough, didn't attempt enough, and didn't want it enough. I thought defensively he was absolutely powder puff, and I couldn't work out exactly what sort of player he is.

Based on that, I'm going to go out on a limb totally and say I don't think he'll be a good signing for us for 18-20 million quid. Early I know after one half fit performance, but that's what I think anyway. My money's on him going back to Italy at the end of next season.

I still remember quite clearly your early read on Lucas, mate.  I think the phrases "he's got a bit about him," "lovely the way he ghosts into space" and (my favourite!) "he's all 360 degree looks" were sprinkled liberally through those early, rather sanguine assessments.  You'll forgive me, then, if I don't put too much stock in this early stab in the dark. 

He's got a point there Mick! We could be in a bit of trouble ere coz you was bang on about Lucas!

[bigmick]

Fair enough and obviously I invite such ridicule by my early pick. Funnily enough I do STILL think Lucas has something about him, I've always said he'll make a footballer and I still think he will. I'm not convinced though it'll be with us and in the premiership, and i am convinced that him and Masherano aren't a combo. I've repeatedly said that alongside a more creative force Lucas would be OK.

No argument though, it was an early call so it's got a good chance of being wrong. Part of my reasoning was if I'm honest an attempt to understand why on earth Rafa hasn't deemed it necessary to play him given just how bad masherano and Lucas are togehter against park the bus teams. What was it about him which was making the manager hesitant? Well I think we saw it in the way he allows players to breeze past him, the way his tackling is very much a go through the motions effort, the way his closing down is something of an afterthought. More importantly though for me was a willingness to drift in and out, to flow with the game as opposed to being determined to make a meaningful contribution.

Being honest, and I know and accept all the "it's far too early" stuff, if I'd paid 18-20 million quid for him I'd be expecting more for my money. I accept he will get fitter and better, and I suspect he will get to a point where he is decent and perhaps even quite good, but I supect that those of us who are looking for another top class midfielder in the Alonso mould are going to be disappointed.

Ultimately though it's erseholes, we've all got one. I wonder is anyone prepared to go out on a limb and not say "it's early" but say thay think he's going to be an absolutely top quality player for us?

[bigmick]

Mick, would love to know how this new 16 year old is going to pan out, maybe you can tell from a picture

I'm not sure on this one Joe but the lad in the stripes is a bit small 

[Benny The Noon]

I think mick might of being taking the pi.ss a little

[bigmick]

Not at all. I'm by no means disputing that it's an early call, but I must confess i am a touch surprised that people are so shocked by it. I expected more from Alberto, he's a player we've just shelled out 20 million quid for and a player who Rafa has said a couple of times will be a better player for us than Alonso. Based on that, and even allowing for the fact he will obviously improve, I don't think he will be. Why is that so shocking?

Part of it also is that I'm wondering from this performance what sort of player he is going to be. He won't IMHO be able to play in central midfield unless he manages to make himself considerably more robust than he currently is. Players can do that of course, but it's easier from a wide slot to make yourself more likely to track back than it is from a central midfield area to teach yourself to compete. It's not impossible but it can't be easy.

And when we all say "well swap him with Gerrard" (I said it too) it's not quite as simple as it sounds. Gerrard makes it work from there precisely because he has lung bursting pace, power, the versatitility to go wide and provides a massive goal threat. Aquilani doesn't have those things in his locker, and I'm not entirely convinced he has a Berkampesque subtlety and appreciation of space either which would allow him to influence the game.

Anyways, we'll see.

[LFC2007]

That seems a little bit premature Mick, IMO.

Just a bit.

a bit premature!!?!! Most lads last longer than that on their first !!! 

bloody Ell lad, who do ya think you are!? Mystic Bloody Mick!

I would agree but I think he prefers 'Mythbuster' 

[Benny The Noon]

Not at all. I'm by no means disputing that it's an early call, but I must confess i am a touch surprised that people are so shocked by it. I expected more from Alberto, he's a player we've just shelled out 20 million quid for and a player who Rafa has said a couple of times will be a better player for us than Alonso. Based on that, and even allowing for the fact he will obviously improve, I don't think he will be. Why is that so shocking?

Part of it also is that I'm wondering from this performance what sort of player he is going to be. He won't IMHO be able to play in central midfield unless he manages to make himself considerably more robust than he currently is. Players can do that of course, but it's easier from a wide slot to make yourself more likely to track back than it is from a central midfield area to teach yourself to compete. It's not impossible but it can't be easy.

And when we all say "well swap him with Gerrard" (I said it too) it's not quite as simple as it sounds. Gerrard makes it work from there precisely because he has lung bursting pace, power, the versatitility to go wide and provides a massive goal threat. Aquilani doesn't have those things in his locker, and I'm not entirely convinced he has a Berkampesque subtlety and appreciation of space either which would allow him to influence the game.

Anyways, we'll see.

He had played 20 mins of first team football in 9 months -it wasnt going to be dazzling debut more of a looking for fitness type performance with a few touches to try and gel .

[bigmick]

It's fair as well to note that while the Lucas early call (and indeed the Kuyt one) now looks at best questionable, I've got the odd one right in my time as well. Aurelio fans weren't thick on the ground when he first played, I was alone on the "ball watch" lookout for Skrtel way back when, I was fairly unequivical that Moreintes wouldn't make it early in the piece and explained why, ditto Cisse and I wasn't a million miles out on Johnson. I only needed to see Dossena play for about half an hour to be fairly sure which way that was going to go, so it's not all bad.

Just to reiterate with aquilani, I think he's a good player. I think he'll do OK for us if we can find a role for him, but he ain't an 18-20 million quid midifelder I don't think.

[bigmick]

Alonso wasn't a bad call either come to think of it. I even told him what he needed to do to play better