maypaxvobiscum » Wed May 07, 2014 5:46 am wrote:I was just messing with you Conn, hence the smiley. Anyway since you asked, here are the players whom should leave and the reasons:
Sebastian Coates - He was once viewed as a bright prospect with huge potential, but he's already turning 24 and there's better players out there, and even within the reserves, who could do be better job. I'm sure there are plenty of South American teams who would want him seeing that he was their Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year.
Martin Kelly - Same as Coates. Not been the same since his injury. Approaching 24 and there's better players such as Wisdom, Ilori and McLaughlin who can do the job.
Iago Aspas - Doesn't offer anything to the attack. Lightweight.
Michael Ngoo - He's 21 and if he can't make the bench despite the limited options we have in attack, there's no point keeping him.
Lucas - We've performed a lot better when he isn't in the team. He's been playing the last 3 games in Henderson's absence and the disparity is huge. He offers nothing in attack and commits silly tackles in dangerous areas. He doesn't score goals and he doesn't start attacks. In the system we play, we need all of our midfielders to be versatile and be able to contribute on all fronts but he lacks the energy and ability to do so.
Oussama Assaidi - Weirdest signing ever. He's scored a couple of goals for Stoke but he's been injured most of the time I think. Not sure if Stoke wants him permanently but he should go seeing that Joao Carlos, Suso and Ibe are likely to be ahead of him.
Glen Johnson - I'm saddened by this one but he has to go for reasons already pointed out by everyone else.
Of the above 7 I've mentioned, Coates, Kelly, Ngoo and Assaidi have no impact on the first team or bench so their departure will not make a difference as we've got good players in the reserves who can take their place. As for Aspas, he's rarely played to begin with so no loss either. The only prominent departures would be that of GJ and Lucas.
However, all the 7 can be easily replaced by buying new players or promoting youth. Coates and Kelly can be replaced by Ilori, Wisdom, Sama and McLaughlin. Aspas, Assaidi and Ngoo can be replaced by Joao Carlos, Suso, Ibe, Borini and Yesil. There's really no difference in quality but at least we're reducing the number of players in the team. I believe we've got around 42 players at the moment?
As for Lucas and GJ, a top replacement is needed. Players like Draxler, Reus, Rakitic, Barkley, Coleman, Coentrao, Rodriguez and Shaw. If we're gonna buy new players, it's essential that they are better than what we already have. Which is why I don't understand why you wanna sell Sturridge and Skrtel. It's better to keep those 2 and have them on the bench rather than sell them and have Aspas and Coates on the bench obviously. This way, we improve the squad, and the first team concurrently. Otherwise if things were done your way, we'll still have a strong first team but incompetency on the bench.
I've not mentioned Reina because he's a tricky one but I would like him to stay and compete with Mignolet for the #1 spot.
No worries mate.... and i do take your point about too many of the players on the peripehery being not good enough. We were very lucky with injuriesthis year. On any other year, our bench players would have cost us 4th not to mention first. But we will need a bench when we go on all 4 fronts next year. Too do a complete yard sale and start afresh would be suicide as I don't believe we have the financial muscle to get 8 or 9 players who will improve us.... I think we need quality in the form of 3 or 4 positions. another left or right fullback.... a centrehalf... a centremid and another attacker. I hope Illori is deemed ok... I have seen a few of the matches he's played and I believe he is quality. Just need to confirm if he can handle the bright spotlights of playing for the big teams.
