Liverpool FC Forum

[115-1073096938]

Firstly right. If i got the job tomorrow... This is how i'd look at it, my first team would consist of these players plus additions:

             Owen      ?
Kewell    ?    Gerrard    ?
Riise       Hyypia     ?   ?
                  Kirkland

A first team there with an outstanding back bone. For me those are the players with genuine class and ability and suit nearly all systems.

The reserve side would be something like:

               Pongolle     Baros
Smicer      Le Tallec   Hamann    Murphy
Carragher  Traore      Henchoz    Finnan
                       Dudek

To me thats a hell of a reserve team. I think that is seriously capable of finishing 6th or 7th in the league on paper in itself which to me says the squad is very strong in terms of depth and quality. Having players like Murphy, Hamann, Henchoz, Carragher, Dudek and Baros on the bench is good for any team.

With other players who might still make it like Cheyrou, Welsh, Mellor, Otsemobor and Vignal there is a hell of a squad there. It just lacks a few first teamers.

For me i think Pongolle, Le Tallec, Vignal and Finnan are all capable of becoming excellent players. Finnan could be the answer at right back, in my opinion he will prove his doubters wrong next season and show the class he has. That would mean we have an answer to one problem position in our squad already. We also have Carragher who is more than capable of filling that role effectively. I feel we need a play maker in there with Steven Gerrard, Le Tallec could be that player or so could Cheyrou, i ain't saying definately but i feel thats the sort of player at least. So again the answer COULD be in our squad already. But this position isn't desperately important as we already have a class player in this position in Hamann.

I am optomistic that Cisse will be the answer to the strikers role and thats practically a done deal aswell as we all know.

For me the other two midfield slots i would love to see Pennant and Cole (or maybe Malbranque). For the centre half position i'm not sure of who i'd like to see there. Maybe Mexes is the answer... who knows?

Personally i think with the right additions to the personel it will improve the team alot, not just technically, but tactically also.

I don't think there is alot wrong with the current "slow build up" tactics. I like this way of playing as i feel it takes alot out of the opposition. I think we do need to learn to mix it though a bit more with a quick counter attack. In terms of personel, we need Kewell to run at players more in wide positions and stretch teams more by gettin into the box and getting to the byline from more narrow positions.

All in all there is great reason for optimism i think. We know Houllier wants to address the two main problem area's at the moment I.E. the centre half and strikers position. I think the rest will fall into place over the next season or two.

[DAV]

stu u always talk of paper talk. results r what count

[DAV]

we should have signed anelka when we had the chance

[BOODIDDY]

Stu i feel you are right in certain areas. Yes, we do have the basis of a great team, and the players who are your first choice are certainly quality players. The likes of murphy,hamann, pongolle, baros and henchoz are good back up players. I even believe that  diao will come good.

With the right players brought in we will at least challenge the top teams, if not consistenly over the season, but season after we will. Cisse will be some recruit, i actually believe foolier on that one. The creative spark from midfield,  VDV, carlos alberto, malbranque. Whoever, but someone of that style and most importantly, class!

The defensive problem, we need speedy centre half, Mexes is good, gallas will be surplus at chelski and melchiot has the pace and power to give us speed down the right.

The problem though with us at the moment, is the system. Foolier is too negative, the keep ball game without penetration isnt good enough for top level football. If we can change the style and be more penetrative then we have a real chance. The tactics he employed at man u are ok but only for away games.

If foolier cant change his beliefs then its time for a change, but even im not sure who is right for the job. Ive campaigned for MON but he might cause too much upheaval at the club too fast like souness did.

My ideal team for next year would be:

                     Kirkland
Melchiot Mexes Hyppia Riise
Malbranque Gerrard ? Kewell
  owen  Cisse

Alan Smith would be an excellent signing also for us.

This all costs a bit but we have a reported 35m to spend and by selling some players this is easily possible.
To go: Diouf, Heskey, Traore, Biscan, Vignal, Dudek and a few others

[115-1073096938]

My point is Pennant and Cole while playing in the same system will give us more creative spark than Hamann and Murphy or Diouf. They will aumtomatically bring there own qualities and if they can fit into the system they will provide the missing penetration.

As for sellin Dudek i think you're the fool if you think thats a good idea, not Houllier.

[stmichael]

i would love to see malbranque in the centre alongside gerrard. the guy's got class stamped all over him and has more creativity in his little toe than the likes of murphy.

all in all, 3-4 top quality signings is what we need.

[115-1073096938]

Exactly.... and Cisse imo is one of those.

We also know Houllier is looking for a class pacey centre half. So hopefully he'll get this one right aswell and we'll be very nearly there.

We also know he likes Joe Cole, so i'm hopeful on that front aswell.

As i said though, people go on about our squad. I don't think its that bad in general if we get the players in and they are the required standard.

I mean, my reserve 11 there looks very strong and has alot of talent imo.

[stmichael]

i saw cisse score a superb header at the weekend for auxerre. the guy looks really good in the air. he's also like sh#t off a stick.

joe cole is still an enigma for me. brilliant one minute, woeful the next. i'd be worried that playing him in centre mid would once again give gerrard too much defensive responsibility.

[115-1073096938]

No mate thats something i totally disagree with.

Gerrard should play his natural game. He is a natural ball winner and already contributes massively in that department already.

I'm sick of hearing about his attacking qualities. The best things in his game are all defensive qualities. He attacks well aswell, thats what makes him world class.

The thing is this is why i often think Hamann becomes redundant in some games, as good as he is, Gerrard does that role and mixes them both. This is also why i feel we lack creativety at times.

You can't play a holding midfielder in a 4-4-2. You need to have a box to box ball winner. Look at Uniteds old midfield. Thats the way we should be looking to go. We've got our Giggs (Kewell) we've got our Keane (Gerrard) we now need our Scholes and Beckham. Or players at least who can provide something similar.

[stmichael]

the best scholes type player around has recently fallen out of favour with his club is pablo aimar. doubt we could afford the likes of him though, and another thing- he's argentinian.

andy van der meyde for right midfield. imagine them 4. that would be awesome.

[115-1073096938]

Aimar isn't really a centre mid though, hes more in behind the striker material.

He wouldn't hack it in the premiership either i don't think.

Cole would be the answer, Dunn would also possibly. Cheyrou imo has it. He just needs to show it.

Players who can run the game and contribute defensively.

Look at that united midfield, all or them were workers. Not one lazy player, thats what we have to aim to be.

[stmichael]

never even thought about david dunn. where's he been? he must have been injured for the last couple of months.

cheyrou does have ability i agree. however if you're gonna keep him you have to play him in central midfield. i'm not sure if he'll ever hold down a regular place there though.

[115-1073096938]

Tell me about it. He's gotta prove he can take Hamann's place and offer something when he does.

Dunn has been injured for about 2 or 3 months. I haven't seen him for a while, good creative centre mid, good at holding the ball and dribbling and is good at set peices and passing. Vision is decent aswell and he has an air of unpredictability about him (champaigne moment anyone? lol) but seriously i do rate him, he also scores goals, i'd have like to see him last summer when we were linked. I doubt Birmingham will let him go now.

With Forssell, Upson, Dunn and Taylor they have a good backbone on which to build upon, also with workers and commited players like Savage and Cunningham they can improve again next season.

[stmichael]

that champagne moment was the funniest thing i've seen all season. it was so good it could almost have been emile heskey!

[stapo1000]

OF COURSE WE ARE GOOD ON PAPER. ON PAPER WE'VE GOT A TEAM THAT'S CAPABLE OF 1ST.WE HAVE DEPTH AND TALENT. THE PROBLEMS ARE WE PLAY A s##t STYLE OF FOOTBALL, WE PLAY THE WRONG TEAM AND WE CAN'T FINISH OFF TEAMS AS A RESULT OF THIS.